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

Camp Opp. Fredericksburg Jany 30. Dear All, Yours of the 24th is recd & it seemed to me that a home letter was ever more acceptable than usual tho' I had so lately left you. Home & the dear ones are dearer than ever. We are very comfortable, indeed, more pleasantly fixed than before my visit but every thing is very different from home. We here feel rather blue just now over the change of com- manders of this Army. I do not doubt but Hooker is a good man & able officer but you know Burnside has always been " - our - General". We are hoping that he will be assigned a new command & that we may accompany him. There is no possibility of moving from here at present & I cannot but believe that the roads are so thoroughly broken up by the late storms that moving would be impossible for weeks or even months You can hardly imagine the horrible mud of Virginia. As far as I know all the troops that moved during Burnside's late move ment have returned to their former positions except one brigade Last night I conversed with a sutler from that brigade (one of Seigel's) & he says they are literally "stuck in the mud" - not of course the Infantry but the accompanying artillery, ammunition train & baggage. The Infantry have to remain to guard the train we have since had more rain & heavy snow & every thing in the way of roads are in terrible condition. Wednesday it snowed hard all day. It had rained the day before & changed to snow during the night. Yesterday (Thursday the Regt. were on picket (24 hours as usual) but as I had been detailed, the night before, as Brigade officer of the Day. I most fortunately escaped 24 hours of severe exposure & in their place had 24 hours almost entirely to my self, a large part of which time I spent in the perusal of one of Bulver's. I had intended to write several letters, one of them home of course, but getting interested in the book all things else were forgot. What kind of letter Uncle Wm always writes but they always seem to me only written. I have not read his resolutions yet so I will not venture an opinion. Capts Hoyt & Ripley returned last evening. Both look & say they are quite well. Capt H. says he had a glorious time. Capt. R did not - missed the boys. Several have applied for Leaves of Absence since my return but were unsuccessful. I think mine was very singular. I really think it cause thro' Col. Harland's influ ence & I do bless him for it. I really think in my case the realization exceeded the anticipation & I shall never forget it & shall always & constantly recall it with so much pleasure. How kind every one was - do thank every body. By the way do you hear any thing farther from Miss Greene's field glass. I hear nothing from the Harper's Ferry bundle & I now have no hope of receiving it here. Had you not better recall it. It may have been confiscated - I think you said there was brandy in the bundle. Did you take a receipt for it. I had no time to call on Genl Casey while in Washington as the whole day was passed in making my purchases &c as I was obliged to run from one end of creation (the Provost Marshall's office) to the other (the Arsenal) to effect them. As usual, when payments are long delayed, I found my bills here - more than double - what I expected I have enough left tho' for the present & I hope to make my present cash last until again paid. Love to every body most to you at home, Chas