Coit, Charles M. (1838-1878) to his family
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03603.225 Author/Creator: Coit, Charles M. (1838-1878) Place Written: Suffolk, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 22 April 1863 Pagination: 4 p. Order a Copy
Writes about going on a recognizance mission to check out some houses beyond the picket line. The mission was commanded by Captain Stevens, who Coit believed had scoped out the area and deemed the mission safe. Reports being fired at by no fewer than 30 men who were "only a few rods off." Says he does not believe he was at fault for leading the men into danger as he had advised Captain Stevens to send skirmishers out to scout the area and the suggestion was rejected. Notes he carries an immense feeling of guilt and says "I would give all the money I expect to earn for a long time if I had nothing to do with it." He asks his family to stop writing to him about promotion and Majority.
Apl 22d, /63 Suffolk, Wed. noon
Dear All, I am up at camp for a few moments & embrace the time to write a few lines. since my last we have had a very dashing engagement with the Rebels of which you have probably seen accounts before this & I think this time we must get the praise equally with the 89th N. Yk Rgt. Six companies of the 8th & part of the 89th Rg N.Y. were the whole force & all the glory belongs to them. I has been on Picket with the other four companies & we arrived at the landing just after the boat with the troops (8th & 89th) had left, so we had to be inactive spectators. T'was a most brilliant affair. when our four companies landed on the Rebel side of the river I reported to Captain Stevens of Genl Getty's staff with Co G & my own Co. & he directed me to make a - reconizance - ( i dont know how to spell that word) to some houses half a mile beyond the picket lines. Capt S. went with us & was actually in command. It was pitch dark & I asked him three times if I should not deploy part of my men as skirmishers but he said not yet. So we all supposed he knew there was no enemy very near & we marched forward in line of battle of the two companies, we officers in front. We were fired upon by an enemy that no one estimates under 30 or 40 men, only a few rods off & of course the surprise was complete. both Co's (B & G) broke & retreated what I did the first instant I dont know all I know was the blindness & shock that I felt. I immediately called to the men to rally & just in side the pickets they did nearly form but another volley from the Rebs an order to retreat from Capt. Stevens that I did not hear completed the rout & with exception of Lt. Rathburn & some 6 or 8 of the men, all made the best of their way back to the landing. I cannot think that I am at blame at all as I wished to send forward skirmishers that would have avoided all the surprise but I would give all the money I expect to earn for a long time if I had nothing to do with it. Only one of the men was wounded a man of my company. I greatly fear it is mortal. I have not heard a whisper against my conduct in the affair & dont know that I am blamed in the least but I cannot but feel that I was not as indiffeerent to that first volley as I ought to have been. All this took place Sunday evening. The 8th & 89th were relieved the next morning & we have been at our bivouac since. This is the twelfth day we have been out & no one knows how long it will continue. If we had - had a commander - it would have ended long ago. Must go back. Good bye. Love &c Geo. is wrong in writing that Hoyt will be Lt. Col. - Capt. Smith we be Lt. Col. & Hoyt Major. I have no doubt of this. Dont write me any thing more about a Majority for me. I am always afraid to open one of Geo's letters within half a mile of any one as he allways under lines the - Majority - part. Best love Chas I am most strongly in favor of & Geo getting an education if possible.
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