Coit, Charles M. (1838-1878) to his family
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03603.194 Author/Creator: Coit, Charles M. (1838-1878) Place Written: Newport News, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 11 February 1863 Pagination: 4 p. Order a Copy
Writes to request a bigger valise and reports having sold the one his family had sent to him for a $1 profit. Says that Colonel Harland is on his way to Norwich for a 15-day furlough and that he would like his family to send a new valise with him on his way back. Also requests a silk handkerchief, towels, a sash and a regulation hat. Then modifies his request to ask that his trunk be sent back to him with a longer list of items to enclose.
Camp, Newport News Feby 11, 1863 P.M.
Dear All, A business letter I am about to write this evening. I want to invest a little more money in valises, so I have sold the nice one, you sent me by Shepard, for $7.50, I think that is one dollar advance on your expenditure, and now I want another of the - largest size -. (I suppose a man could carry a clothes box as large as my big trunk if it was only in form of a valise.) Capt. Hoyt brought back with him a valise that will hold twice as much as mine. I like the inside arrangements of my present one. The most important thing is strength, externally & internally. I can not carry my Co. books in my present valise & it is very unpleasant to ask others
to carry them for me, as I now am forced to do & is very inconvenient also. Col. Harland started for home this noon on a fifteen day furlough & I think he will be willing to bring it back with him or I think it would come right thro' by Express to Ft. Monroe but I have no doubt but that col. H. will take it. I have not sold my present valise except as I get another & shall keep it until the new one arrives. so please write soon whether you can send or not. If you can send one please have it ready so that Col H can take it any time if he should start suddenly. All hands are talking & I canot tell what I am writing. I have been a full hour writing this. would like you to send a silk handkerchief & couple towels. would not send much if any eatables. Oh I would like my silk sash & regulation hat if you get a large valise. We want such things more here than for a long time before. [third page all vertical] Feby 12 - After sleeping over what I wrote last night I think I might as well have my trunk come on & save the expense of another valise. We are all expecting we shall go on a coast Exp. & if so I presume we can carry all the baggage we like. Wish you would ask Col. Harland's advice. Major Upham was in our room when I sold the valise & he proposed sending for trunk or I should not have thought of it. If you send trunk I would like my dress coat, pants, sash, regulation hat, sardines in small boxes, the waterproof cartridges that I sent home, a little of the note paper from Miss Woodhull, envelopes, Army Regulations, - Tactics I have with me - a Bible, Hymn book, two or three bunches of paper collars A15 inches & neck tie and 3, 4, or 5 pounds of natural leaf tobacco at Lee & osgoods - it comes in twisted sticks. I bought some of H. H. Osgood when I was home & have not used near all yet but I cant get as good here & tobacco costs nearly twice as much here as there, so I improve the opportunity. I would like these things if you send trunk, if a valise, only the articles mentioned on opposite page. Capt. Moore wishes his coat, pants, sash & Army Regs - & I told him to send it in my trunk with what things I have & what I can carry for other officers. No news from field glass. Very best love to all. If you send trunk would like Dressing case, long comb & looking glass and Black ing & brush, some soap, razors & razor strap. & a dozen pair white cotton gloves about George's size. (I keep thinking of something & add it.) I really want a nice dress coat but shall make the old one answer very well. when I get a new one I shall send for the cloth & trimmings & have it made by our tailor. I think nothing yet specified involves a great expenditure. One more item - narrow silk braid for watch chain. P.M. Lots of commissions recd to night Lt. McCall to be Capt. Co. K, Lt. Ford to be Capt. Co. G, Lt. Hall to be Capt. Co.F, Lt. Dougherty to be Q.M. & Saml Foss to be Lt. Co. A. somewhere at home I have a little red covered book - "Le Gal's school of the Guide" - please send it to me, Forrest spafford wishes it. Good night & bestest love. Chas
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