Coit, Charles M. (1838-1878) to his family
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03603.216 Author/Creator: Coit, Charles M. (1838-1878) Place Written: Suffolk, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 29 March 1863 Pagination: 3 p. Order a Copy
Writes he and his company wish they could go back to Connecticut to vote on the Conscription Act, which calls for a draft and excuses men who can furnish a viable replacement or pay the government $300. Says he has heard that an officer cannot walk through the streets of Hartford, Connecticut without being deeply insulted. Writes of wounded men being laughed at by some of the same people who encouraged them to enlist. Notes he had a portrait taken.
Sunday morinng 8 o'clock A.M.
Dear All, Capt. Moore intends to leave for old Norwich in about an hour & I write to send by him. He has a ten day leave and will be able to stay over elections. He is certainly highly favored in being home at this time. I never wanted so much to vote & all of us are alike. I dont think there is a Seymour man in my Co. of 40 and they have always been strongly democr- atic. One of my sergeants as strong democrat & I suppose a Seymourite, said yesterday to me that he only wished the 8th could go home to enforce the conscription Act. We learn from a captain of the 16th who has just returned from Hartford, that there will be fighting in that city & New Haven elections day if not before & says further that an officer cannot walk thro' the streets of Hartford without being deeply insulted. I cannot believe these things of my native state, yet I can hardly doubt them either for all we hear is to the same effect. Five wounded men from my own Company walking together up the principal street in Thompsonville were laughed at by men who were very influential in inducing them to enlist. One of the soldiers, Morris O'Brien was so enraged at the insult that he "pitched into the laughing gentlemen, was taken up & fined ten dollars. I intend to refund it when he returns to the company. I think I sent home a letter that O'Brien wrote me about Christians wishing me the compliments of the season. He was real plucky at Antietam & was wounded there. Oh how such treatment makes our blood boil. Dont hear anything more about that Majority of the 16tth C.V. I dont want it & I told Col. Harland so. He replies that I did not want to be captain & now I like it so much better than Adjt, I have
recd your letter speaking of Lieut. Coln of 14th for Capt Hoyt &c. I dont know any thing about it & I dont care. I wish we could come back to Connt & fight the copperheads there. Dont mention about the 16th to any one I have no idea that I shall receive. I send my "picture" taken here, I could only get the best kind of plate by taking this case. It cost $3. Every thing is reversed you see, I had to hold my sword on the right side it made me feel awkward. I think its pretty good. Best love to all Affct son & bro Chas M We expect to be paid off (4 mos) today - Sunday
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