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 #: GLC03603.271 Author/Creator: Coit, Charles M. (1838-1878) Place Written: Yorktown, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 21 April 1864 Pagination: 1 p. Order a Copy

Writes that they broke camp and marched to Deep Creek and then to Portsmouth. Notes that he has shipped his trunk to be held at New Haven post office until he calls for it again. Request postage stamps and woolen socks.

Camp at Yorktown, Va. Thursday evening Apl 21
Dear All, Have time to write a line. Broke Camp at Deep creek day before yesterday, marched to Portsmouth, there by boat to Newport News & march ed to this place. Am very busy to night as we are to be paid off tomorrow & the Rolls must be signed to night & I shall have to shall send you a little money but I fear not much this time. I sent my trunk Friday by Express from Portsmouth directed to "Mr. Geo. D. Coit New Haven Ct to be kept at office until called for." We are down to light marching order again, shelter tents & no baggage I have borrowed a little black bag of Saml Foss & that now contains all my valuables. I have but - one, - pair of woolen socks. Please send a couple of pairs by mail as soon as possible - one pair at a time. we expect to remain here some little time while our expedition is organizing. Col. Ward & Capt Goodrich are expected tomorrow Best love - Good night Your affct son & bro Chas Please send me some - postage stamps - [annotation] postmark Old Point Comfort Apr 22

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

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