Coit, Charles M. (1838-1878) to his family

Sunday afternoon Lieut Dougherty returned from Harper's Ferry this noon without bringing - any thing -. Finds nothing for the 8th at the office. Probably every thing was kept back at Baltimore or Washington & perhaps all will reach us one of theses days but when is that? I would like what I wrote for, a shirt or two & ditto of drawers, this morning by mail as soon as con- venient. Our mails are quite irregular of course lately but I think I shall get any thing sent. Recd yours of 29th ult. a few days since. Dont please write any more about promotions. Nothing of the kind is - at all - probable. & I know my brother officers feelings better than any of you do or even Lt. Shepard. Marvin wait's valise I found in Washington & it was brought on with the knapsacks &c. Capt. Hoyt took it at Pleasant valley (I believe the rapt had some things in it) & was to Express it to Norwich but we were, sudden ly ordered off & I do not remember whether he had time to send or not. I will ascertain before I mail this. ^error - I - remember - it - had - been - opened - & - some - of - the - things Stolen - Hope the winter note will be paid. How did you endorse it. I thought it was payable to my order. Am glad you paid C. Johnson. Shall I send Uncle William the $15. he lent me, when we are paid off. The anniversary of Father's death was unnoted by me. I do not think I know the day of the month. I dont half the time. I remembered it a day or two after. I did not think that day would ever return without me recalling it. I love to think of him as our Guardian angel & do firmly believe that I shall be watched over & that you will all be protected and that we may all again meet under that dear old roof to spend many peaceful & happy years together God grant it is my constant prayer. I do not think I could endure the battle field or the thought of one if I was denied the privilege of prayer. And the thought of my dear & loved ones also offering constant prayer fo me does sustain me - mightily -. I do believe with you that Father would entirely approve of my present duties & strengthen & encourage in every way possible to perform them. I am so glad George is such a good boy I knew he would be. I do hope he will strive to do every thing "on time" & not put off & procrastinate as I do. I know that is one of my worst enemies & yet I do not strive against it as I ought. It effects me here as every where & perhaps one reason I like this life is from the fact that many of its duties must be performed at the "tap of the drum" & can't be delayed. I hope George has not given up his studies entirely. I know it is hard to study in the midst of business but it can be done & he will never regret it. He will never know too much. Even here when so few comparitively are educated I often wish most heartily that I knew much more & I could use it all - people rarely know too much. I do not anticipate an immediate battle tho' it may come any day & surely it must be soon. I do not believe it possible to get this regiment into such a fix as at Antietam. Capt. Hoyt says that Marvin wait's valise was sent back from P valley to Frederick city with remainder of Regt baggage which we could not carry with us. It was impossible ordered off as we were to get it to any Express office & it was left as every thing had to be on the camp ground under guard & after we marched the baggage was sent to F. City. Capt Hoyt has tried to do every thing he could but every thing seems to have worked against him. The valise will be sent as soon as we again receive our baggage. There is also a small bag belonging to Marvin that is yet in Washington, only part of the baggage was brought on. Capt Hoyt some time since wrote very fully all the circum- stances of Marvin's death &c & to what time he was last paid. He thinks Mr. Wait has probably never received it as he has lately recd a letter from Geo. Pratt asking the date of last payment. - He was paid to may 30. - While I write the welcome news of Genl Burn- side's appointment as commander in chief of the Army of the Potomac reaches us. I do hope it is true. I believe he is honest & true & capable & in favor of - finishing the war - & not over jealousy of some other General getting part of the praise. Wont the old 8th give him three times three when we meet him next. Now make up your mind something will be done for - our General - is at work. We love to call him our General & rejoice that we have always served under him. The 8th never cheers any other but always have three round ones for him. This place, Gaskins Mills, is about five miles west of Warrenton. I close with three cheers for Genl Burnside. We shall have to work but he will work too. - Love Chas [top margin first page] Chaplain Morris was very acceptable at the services today A few remarks reading Bible & prayer, The 8th & 11th joined in the services