Our Collection

At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

Coit, Charles M. (1838-1878) to his family

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03603.256 Author/Creator: Coit, Charles M. (1838-1878) Place Written: Near Portsmouth, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 4 March 1864 Pagination: 1 p. Order a Copy

Writes how busy he is with muster rolls and straightening out the clothing and ordinance accounts. Notes that he is relieved that he is not responsible for these accounts. The letter is written on a piece of paper that he has used to add account sums.

Camp Mar 4 1864
Dear All, Intended to have written a long letter to day but have been all day engaged in straightening out the ordinance & Clothing accounts of the company, for which accounts I am happy to say I am in no wise responsible & as it is now half past 11 o'clock P.M. & I was writing on my muster rolls last night until one this A.M. & I was then up at the - sun rise - roll call I am decidedly sleepy I shall defer the long & particular letter until tomorrow. I am very well, comfortable, & happy too bust to be otherwise. I am looking & hoping for my first letter from you every day. Do hope you are well. very best love & good night. Rememberances to all. Chas I send two papers by this mail.

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

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