Coit, Charles M. (1838-1878) to his family
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03603.183 Author/Creator: Coit, Charles M. (1838-1878) Place Written: Fredericksburg, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 16 January 1863 Pagination: 2 p. Order a Copy
Writes that he has been using his new knife and passed part of an evening whittling. Gives an update to the news of Sumner's order regarding food purchase at the commissary. An order by General Burnside has dictated that the men may purchase whatever they would like from the commissary at the prices the government pays. Writes of his fondness for photographs of his family and about the general craze for photographs by the other men. His family has sent him $5 and he feels terrible that he has not been able to send any home.
Camp, Fburg Friday evening
Dear All, Capt. Ripley leaves us in he morning & I cant but send a line by him tho' the mail to day has taken one forward. Two letters written to you in one day ain't that pretty well. Col. John H Almy is here to night, I have seen him but a moment & really said nothing to him as yet. Intend to see him in the morning before he leaves. Should like a good long talk with him but he goes between seven & eight. A large, part of this evening I have spent in the Yankee pastime of whittling & using my new knife I transformed a stick of pine wood into a chain - one of my old tricks. I intend to have a great deal of fun out of my new knife. The day after I wrote you concerning Genl Sumner's order, concerning commissaries & Officers, an order was published by - Genl Burnside - allowing officers to buy at - Government prices whatever they wish -, that the Commissary has on hand & -in such quantities as they like. - The articles to be charged to them & the account to be rendered to the Paymaster to be deducted from the muster Roll.- This is just & fair. - - Saturday morning - Capt. Ripley has vamoosed before I arose this morning, so I add to this & forward by mail. Saw Col. Almy a moment this A.M. but he has not been in - the - city lately I get no news from him but it's very pleasant to see a familiar face. Recd a few moments since yours of the 5th inst, enclosing a V. Dont send any more at present. I am sorry you sent this when you are so short & I am quite inclined to send it back. I can get along some way. Don't think of buying a field glass - it would be very pleasant but I dont need it. I should not buy one if I had the money & could right here. I thought it just possible that someone might wish to remember me & so wrote what I did. I wish Genl David Young had told Mrs. R to buy that instead of the pocky old camp Basket. I do not think a - first rate, small field glass - can be bought for $20, even in the cheapest kind of case. Finis on this subject. I am very much obliged to you for thinking so much about it but am glad you did not buy. I thought I should surely get mother's photograph for New Years & am quite dissappointed. I would like Steve Meech's very much & I wish I could get some of the prety girls in Norwich, but for the latter, I don't care especially after all. The rage for photographs is just reaching the Army in full force. Col. Harland has just recd some & I am going up to see them immediately. My regards to Mr. Secretary G. D. Coit. I think he manages the rents grandly. Wish I could have heard the old Dr. on the first Sunday. How kind Mrs. Williams is remember me to her if it is proper & to the old General. I agree with Mr. G. Douglas C that she is "a most discerning youth". I am glad you did not use it all for me as you proposed. There is again a report that we are to be paid off next week but I dare not believe any thing now a days. The mess now consists of Capt smith, Lt Goodrich. Lt Weed ("Dad") Shepard & myself. We did not want "Dad" but could not help it pleasantly. I dont know any thing about mothers man Fisk, with the magical number 8 from Griswold. So Dr. Webster has really started on his mission of love to the contrabands. I think he will find some queer subjects. Your affct son & bro Chas
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