Coit, Charles M. (1838-1878) to his family
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03603.276 Author/Creator: Coit, Charles M. (1838-1878) Place Written: s.l. Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 17 May 1864 Pagination: 2 p. Order a Copy
Writes that he has returned to a camp in an undetermined location after being beaten in battle by a much smaller force. Describes fighting in dense fog at the command of Colonel Smith. Says that the regiment split during battle and Coit and many other men got lost in the woods. Notes that he and a few other men occupied a brick house and held it. Writes that many men were wounded and others fell into enemy hands. "I never felt so perfectly above all fear as during the heavy fighting early in the day, the crisis seemed too great for any such personal feeling and through it all with the bullets striking every thing round me and shells exploding constantly I had the most perfect assurance that I was safe." Notes that the regiment lost 63 men and that he is surprised not to be a prisoner. In closing says "God is very good to me."
Camp of 8th Conn Vols Inft May 17 P.M.
Dearest All, We are all again back in our Camp, - where ever it is I dont know, somewhere between the Appomattox & James, the narrowest part, - & we came back because we had been most confoundedly whipped & - I - believe by a very much smaller force. Twas a strange affair a portion of our forces were to charge one of the forts at day light yesterday morning, (I believe I have written you that we had gained & were occupying their first line of intrenchments,) but the Rebs took the initiative & in a dense1s fog at 4 1/2 A.M. with massed columns charged on the right of our line drove back & turned our flank. I never knew such a dense fog, nothing could be seen a pace or two distant. The position of our Regt in the works that we held was such that we were flanked before the fighting had commenced except one or two Co's who held a small fort at the right of our line, this they held until the Rebs were on the breastworks with them. Then Col. Smith, who was commanding us ordered us to fall back & in the fog the Cos became separated & the Regt entirely broken up, some men even after leaving the works became lost in the woods & went back into the rebel line. A portion of the Regt. men representing every Co. finally rallied on the colors & were engaged as long as the fighting lasted, I had been in command of our Brigade picket line the night before & after withdrawing then fighting as we fell back I ordered them
back to their Regts & started to report to Genl Burnham, but in the woods lost my way & finally went to work rallying any men that I found there & by Genl Brooks orders formed about fifty of them behind a fence directly in front of the works that the Rebs had taken but a short distance back in the woods. I held them there in the two hours, more or less, that the fighting continued & then Genl Burnham ordered me to deploy them as skirmisheres & cover the retreat of the troops. After the troops had all passed me in retreating by Genl Brooks orders I advanced my line a few rods to take in a large brick house & there remained the whole day. Genl B had ordered me to hold that line as long as possible - until about six P.M. for several hours I held it with no support on either flank & no support within half a mile in the rear & uncomfortable hours enough were these. Capt Goodrich & Lt. Morgan were with me. Part of the time I had men to the left of my line who I ordered to keep changing their position & firing so as to make the Rebs think there was a long line there. After two or three hours skirmishers from other Regts were sent forward to protect my right & left flanks but my line held the advance. I withdrew the line about 6 P.M. as we were then attacked by a Rebel line of battle. We fired one good volley into them & then fell back and we were just in time as we met an officer sent out to recall us, the wounded had all been sent to the rear, except a large number that fell into the enemies hands, & the troops were all retreating. I am really pleased as I think of my conduct during the whole day for I really think I managed my pickets & skirmish lines both well & it was a time to try one. I wish I could talk it to you & explain as I talked but I should have to write a book to review the whole day. I never felt so perfectly above all fear as during the heavy fighting early in the day, the crisis seemed too great for any such personal feeling & through it all with the bullets striking every thing round me & shells exploding constantly I had the most perfect assurance that I was safe. I felt removed from all danger but when I was left alone with my few men & officers with no support right, left or behind & within but musket range of their works, we firing & they returning it & with orders to hold that position I acknowledged I did feel skittish enough & wanted to move. I never expected to see the Regt or Connt again except via Rich- mond & that way as a prisoner. We came in entirely worn out & found the Regt had arrived just before us. All this day I have done nothing for I was entirely played out. The 8th looses in killed wounded & missing sixty three. Capt McCall one of my very best Offs was killed. Our missing are probably all prisoners. I must close tho' I have not begun. God is very good to me. Best love. Affct son & bro Chas
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