Coit, Charles M. (1838-1878) to his family
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03603.235 Author/Creator: Coit, Charles M. (1838-1878) Place Written: Suffolk, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 23 May 1863 Pagination: 2 p. Order a Copy
Writes that they have returned to the same site that they had camped at a month ago but that a new camp has been erected on its site. Mentions that he plans on extending his tent by building an 'evergreen bower' and hanging his hammock. Requests that his family send him his mosquito bar, a vest and some strong cord. Says that he had considered asking for sheets to be sent from home but has decided to get them from the hospital. "You see I am getting decidedly luxurious in my tastes for a soldier but I can assure you we know how to appreciate such things after roughing it for so long." Writes that he will be ready to receive his brother George as a guest again. Notes that he has heard news that Keyes and Stoneman have taken Richmond, Virginia.
I inclose 3 photos. Shall want at least six more of my own to pay my debts &c. Camp at Suffolk. May 23
Dear All, Have just returned from town where I had been to make several small purchases, one of the most important of which is a big bottle of Arnold's writing Fluid & of course the first use of it must be to talk a little with you all. We are again very comfortably settled in camp not the old one that we marched out from a month ago, that is not on that ground (a new fort Ft. Seward now covers the old camp ground) our present camp is situated a mile or more below the city, between the two rail roads running to Norfolk, the land is as elevated as any ground around here & the camp is beautifully inter- sperced with young pines giving it a beautiful appear- ance. Around my tent I have four medium sized trees. and the boys are intending to build me a good large evergreen bower, to extend from the front of the tent, under which I expect to swing my hammock which have lately come to hand, they were packed with Company baggage last summer when we send off every thing except what we had on our backs - sent off from Fredericksburg & after lying at Alexandria for nearly a year, during which time we have ridden Hank's mare over a large part of Virginia, they have now turned up just in the nick of time and not greatly the worse for wear. My walk to town to day was principally to purchase string cord to string them up with but I could find nothing at all suitable - nothing strong enough & I must wait until you can send me some. I am disappointed for the weather here is extremely hot & our tents uncomfortably warm & nothing is more comfortable & cool than a good hammock swung under the trees. If this reaches you in time please send me with the vest a good sized ball of strong cord and one of the dark blue mosquito Bars that you will find in my trunk. The dark blue bar is rather more convenient in size than the one you made me & if I remember rightly the one you made me is no more having been destroyed when we evacuated Fredericksburg, while I was out on Picket. I have been thinking of writing for a couple of sheets but think I can get them from the Hospital. You see I am getting decidedly luxurious in my tastes for a soldier but I can assure you we know how to appreciate such things after roughing it so long. I shall in a day or two be in condition to receive another visit from George. How I would like to see the young man here again. I would not again send him off for nothing. I hope Ellen & George both went to "Lecture" As I write the last word who should walk in but Capt. Ripley to introduce - Lieut - saml Foss of the 8th C.V. He is back all right & I am glad. Did I write the other day that Dr. Perry, at present surgeon of the 11th R.I.V's called upon me, while we were down the river. we have great news to day - oh if we could but believe it - Fort Sumter taken - Hooker recrossed and nearer Richmond than ever before - Vicksburg captured & last but not least, that Keyes & Stoneman have united their forces on the Penninsula & have advanced & actually taken Richmond. of course we dont & cant believe it but yet there seems to be a - possibility - that it's true. The string for the hammock I want considerably stronger than the piece I enclose & I need quite a large ball of it too. there is no danger of sending too much as I can use it in a dozen ways. Very best love to all & every body but most to you all. - Chas -
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