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

Camp Opp. Fredericksburg Monday A.M. Jany 26, '63 Dear All, Arrived at camp (it has not been moved during my absence) late yesterday afternoon. Now for my experience during the trip. On the train from old Norwich I found Mr. Ward & was in his company as far as Montville where he was bound. He talked incessently about his son Fred - & I could not tell him that I -thought -him dead when I - know - nothing about it & he showed me letters from those who were with him when he was shot & all the letters spoke of him as not mortally wounded but probably a prisoner. At the ferry at the Connt river I would very likely have been left if a lady had not reminded me of the change of cars. I was not think- ing of any thing but my route. At Bridgeport I sent a note to Capt. Hoyt stating that I was bound to camp. Reached New York, I believe about eight o'clock & on leaving the cars found Charlie Johnson on the platform, all out of breath. He heard the cars whistle & had been running several blocks to arrive in time. Uncle Wm. did not appear. Charlie J took me in charge & marched me down Fifth Avenue to his room, stopping on the way at the Brevoort House for tea. I do think he is about the kindest hearted fellow that ever was born. He left an engagement with his lady to meet me. I had such a funny time with him. First he insisted that we should stop at Delmonicos for supper but I would not - told him I was full & could not eat more. Then he proposed calling on Mr. Birge & Ellen Fisher or Martha Ripley I forgot which, but I did not feel on that. When we reached to Brevoort House he said he wanted a cup of tea so we went in & I spoiled a few oysters with tea & toast. I could hardly stuff any thing down tho' I had eaten nothing since dining with you all at home. Afterwards went to Charlie's room & he offered me - all his old clothes - including a pair of nice high boots a size or two too small & an overcoat that of course I could not carry. He made me take a scarf that I did not want. Was at his room some time & then he piloted me to Broadway where we said goodbye, he to return to his engagement & I to travel to Courtland street. On the way he stuffed a pair of gloves into me. I was with him about an hour & I think he was real clever to come at all. He alluded to his engagement before I had an opportunity to, He says this is nothing in Ellen Fisher's reputed engagement. The boat that connected the train at Jersey City did not leave until eleven so I had to wait at Courtland St an hour and a half - rather tedious. Arrived in Washington at ten o'clock Saturday morning & put up for the day at the metrop- olitan Hotel. The whole day until I retired at 8 P.M. was passed in securing my papers, buying sword, haversack, boots, &c what a tedious place W. is - it grows worse & worse each suceeding visit. The city is full of shoulder straps & I was ashamed to be seen there. I could not get a sword that suited me at all at the Arsenal so I brought one on Penn. Ave. & had to pay eighteen dollars. It's a very nice one & pleases me but I did not intend to pay as much. All here think the price very reasonable It's an Artillery sword, straight, good length, steel scabbard, & perfectly plain, every thing steel except the shark skin of the handle, it has no brass or gilded trimmings. I bent the scabbard slightly getting on an express wagon yesterday morning. Sorry for that slept late Sunday morning & therefor to get to the boat I had to drive off without breakfast that I had paid for & pay extra for driving fast besides. The boat was very uncomfort- ably crowded. Arrived at Aquia at 12 1/2 o'clock & lounged round the wharf until the train at 3 P.M. was not expected at camp & every body thought me very foolish in coming on before my leave expired. Col. Harland told me he thought it would be just like me to come on before my time if I heard the reports & said he imagined me in at saffords and the telegraph office waiting the news. Camp does not seem a bit more pleasant now, since my run home, than before & I believe I want to return to you all more than ever but I shan't show it here by talking of home all the time as shepard did thus making my self & every one else uncomfortable. As I write I keep thinking - oh if I could only talk it to them instead of this tedious writing. To day seems to be fixing up day & as the others are at work I ought not to write longer. An A tent has been drawn for the officers of each Co. & we are fitting them up in connection with our old wall tent. As each of us four represent a different company we have four A tents in addi- tion to the old wall tent & we shall make ourselves very comfortable. An A tent is shaped like the letter named from & just high enough to stand up in. In size it is between a wall tent & a shelter. Love to every body but most & best to you at home. Your aff son & bro Chas - over - If I had waited until Monday as I at first intended I truly think I should have been arrested in Washington & therefor perhaps it is all for the best that I came on as I did. You need not tell this part. Sumner's grand division have not moved at all during my absence, tho' for several days they were all packed & under orders - rations cooked - to move at a moments notice. The heavy storm & mud defeated every thing. Three of our officers have just been discharged for over staying their Furloughs. Henry Morgan is one of them Shepard probably just escaped by reporting when he did. He reported a short time before the others.