Coit, George O. (fl. 1863) to his mother and sister

On board Stmbt "Louisiana" Chesapeake Bay mar 9, 63 Dear Both I last wrote you Saturday with a postscript sent Sunday morning. Since that time I have been constantly on the move and have enjoyed myself continuously. we attended church at Dr. Bullocks (Cousin Aliens) in the morning. Had a very good sermon and liked the service very much. I was much pleased with the church itself. Plain & small - no comparison with some; but solid, comfortable, and in very good taste. Before this however I had been out with Cou John in his carraige to see some of his patients & we stopped at the German catholic church a very fine building in side & out. As we were passing col. Belgirs (the quartermasters) I noticed a fine soldierly fellow pacing back and forth, and as I came nearer I found that it was one of our old Acadamy boys Billy Hamilton we just saluted and passed on. If he did not look astonished, I am mistaken. After dinner Cou John came in for me to go & see cousin James & Elisha. So we had a very pleasant walk saw the monument &c They greeted me very cordially and seemed really very glad to see me. They inquired very particularly after you both & said how very much they enjoyed Ellen's visit. That I must stop & see them on my way back & any quantity of polite & pleasant things. want you to come & see them. James is going to send some pictures /photographs - home by me, saw Mrs James & Rachael & remembered Ellen's message. Also Harry but verda was not very well - was lying down. Then we visited Dr. Bachus (Alishas) - the st. Presbt. Church the handsomest protestant I ever saw. Grace Church Epis - and friese brought up at the Cathedreal where we attended service. That was a big thing. The singing was very fine, especially the solos, & there was a big crowd. Make saw the priest baptise & mark some habits & the whole thing was the most of a farce of anything I ever witnessed. In the evening we - John & his wife & self attended the central church (James) This morning John had to attend some court so Joe & I met over to Ft. Marshall and saw most of the boys. As I was just going up to the fort on the parade ground I met Capt. Mathewson with his company coming out for drill. When he saw me he begain to grin & shake himself as of old but appearing pretty well. He gave the following orders "company Halt" - "In place rest" & then sent a corporal for Lt. Spaulding to drill the company while he went into the fort with me. Just before this we met col. Ely galloping down on his black charger. I saluted, he returned it, & then condescended to turn back his horse & shake hands with me. I of course felt greatly complimented to be able to shake hands with "Bill Ely". In the fort we saw Joe's Lt. Spaulding with Adjt Porter, looking very well & hearty. He was very cordial made me promises to stop lin his office before I left, which I did & had quite a pleasant chat. He wishes to be remembered - Then saw Marvin, Henry, Cowles, Geo Cogswell, & a number of the schoolboys that you did not know particularly about & Chas Grosvener of Joe's Co. who was rather laid up with Jaundice but not much unwell, not in hospital. The first thing I know as i got into the car on Baltimore St. when I had found my way with very little trouble on sat Afternoon (as there was no one at the Depot) The first I knew a familiar voice sound -ed in my ear "How are you George?" & look ling up I saw Capt. Ike Bromley just returning to Ft. Marshall from a court martial Also Capt. Knapp & Lt. Morrison from Norwich. They all looked very well indeed. Joe R-ockwell I was very sorry to find was at Ft. McDury & Charlie Farnsworth at their camp off on Carroll St. Ben Arlin I found at Gen. Schenck Hdqts & DeLaros Wilson. I shall probably see Joe Rockwell when I come back. After PM we reach a house 2 M. John took me in his carraige to Federal Hill, & inspected the works there & had a remarkably fine view of the city, better he says than from the Mon lument. The works are very extensive & must have required great labor to build them & a whole regiment or more for garrison. It seems too bad that the city of Baltimore should cost the Government so much to keep it in order. - Then we rode all about the western part of the city Franklin Park &c & have to driven labout 2 /2 P.M. Then off to the boat soon after 4 completes my Baltimore esperiences for the present. The boat shakes so much it is hard to write but still better than the cars. It is, the old Louisiana which you may remember was used in the Burnside Espedition to N. Carolina been brought up repainted & painted & quite a good looking boat now. - Is a Conn. Cavalry sergeant in lcharge of a rebel captain who is being sent down to Ft. Monroe to be eschanged. I have been lhaving quite a talk with them, they are both very pleasant. I feel proud of our Conn. Cavalry they are a very fine appearing body of men than last I have seen & do credit to old Conn. I procured passes with no difficulty to Ft. Monroe where I hope to meet Charlie. Your note was received this noon & I bought the shoes for him. The moon has just risen but is now hid in a big black cloud above which appears the Alebratia Mackeral sky which you know "soon goes dry" while still above lone or two stars are trying twinkle on but finding it very difficult. A little while ago it was bright starlight but lately one know not what 5 minutes may bring forth in the weather line. We shall very likely have rain snow fog & sunshine before nice to-morrow morning. I have enjoyed myself immensely I left home the one drawback I am enjoying it alone. I wish - come on. Baltimore people would be esceedingly glad to see you unless they they tell very wicked stories. I am a little ansious about my reception at Ft. Monroe in case Charlie should not be there, as Geo Norris, Big Grovesner &c was (a few days ago) not allowed to go any further & turned back. However I trust Charlie will be there. But I must try to catch a nap somehow, though I shall not really bunk in. Good night Bushy &c