Coit, Charles M. (1838-1878) to his family
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03603.182 Author/Creator: Coit, Charles M. (1838-1878) Place Written: Fredericksburg, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 11 January 1863 Pagination: 2 p. Order a Copy
Writes that there is a small campaign among the men to help Colonel Harland become a Brigadier. Various officers are writing about Harland in order to nominate him. Writes that a box from the Soldier's Aid arrived and gives a list of the items he received from it. The most appreciated items were the desserts which were shared. Mentions at the end that he believes the project to write and sign testimonials about Harland might go against one of the Articles of War. Written on the back of an appeal circular from the Connecticut Soldier's Relief Association, Washington, D.C.
Camp near Fredericksburg Jany 11. Sunday evening & G. Goodrich sits one side the table writing to his wife while I occupy another writing to you all. Recd a note, from Louis Mitchell, this morning, say- ing that he was starting a memorial to make Harland a Brigdr & asking me to write the like & get the officers of the Brigade to sign it. Have been to advise with Coln Stedman, who is a strong friend of Col. H's & a paper has been drawn up which I shall circulate to morrow. This has occupied me a large portion of the day & in connection with other things that were pressing, had so entirely possessed me that I have had hardly a thought of the day. I did remember the day at first & was disposed to leave it alone until tomorrow but there seemed to be some reasons why I should all that was possible to day. I do not think it right to use the day thus & I really should have more faith in the result if nothing had been done to day. Dont say any thing about this to any one unless it be Mitchell. Of course Col. H. knows nothing of it or I truly believe he would stop it. The soldier's Aid box arrived yesterday & the contents have been distributed & I can certify that some of the goodies have been - disposed of. - I recd 2 shirts, pair drawers, & for socks the mitts, pies, loaf of cake, hearts & rounds, cherry bounce & tomatoes. The pickled plums from Sarah Huntington did not come. My candle is just out & I must finish by daylight as we neglected to supply ourselves Saturday. I'll write as long as it flickers. Please thank Mrs. Hubbard for cherry bounce & every body for what ever they sent, Sarah Huntington, &c. The tin box that most of the things were in will be of great value to our mess, was just what we wanted. I am eating a cake as I write. When I brought in the box I distributed some of the cakes and almost the first exclamation heard was "God bless the old woman." I had told them t'was from home. Did you send the cakes they just what you used to make & do taste about right but the mince pies are what "touch the spot", they go a little beyond any thing else. We came to the conclusion that we never ate any before that tasted as good. The cake you bought is very nice. My candle still holds out to burn tho' the light is rather uncertain. Oh how many happy men such a box makes & I wish the Jones could know how much good it does. think it would repay them. Goodnight. Monday morning - After farther consultation with Col. Stedman & others we have about decided to do nothing about Col. Harland's promotion. Signing such a paper ^while we are in the army^ would be in direct opposition to one "Article of war" & is certainly a most unsoldierlike piece of business. We shall inquire farther to see if it has been done in other cases. We think it might do more harm than good. I know at home you will think this all "bosh", but the more I reflect on it, the more satisfied I am that the last opinions are the correct ones. Affct son & bro Chas (p.3 - Connecticut soldiers Relief Association)
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