Coit, Charles M. (1838-1878) to a female relative of Alfred Goddard

( a draft letter...)
Dear Madame, We mourn with you the loss of our friend and comrade Alfred had been most brave & active the whole day. My own Co. and another had been detailed to skirmish in advance of our line & we recd the first fire of the enemy. Most severely so I mourn with you the death of dear Alfred. while most bravely fighting & cheering on our men the fatal bullet struck him & he was carried from the field with a smile on his countenance. As he was carried past me he told me that he was wounded but that he had done his duty. Most truly can I echo those last words. He had done his whole duty & no man could have better conducted himself during the trying hours of that day. Our company with another had been detailed in the morning to skirmish in front of our line so Alfred was one of the first under fire. Later in the day we returned to the Regt. & advanced with them in the charge & severe fighting. It was during this last heavy fighting that Alfred was struck. I have no words to express my appreciation of his behavior in this his first action. He was as thoughtful, considerate, and courageous, not rash & impetuous, but cool & collected, ready for every emergency, willing for every duty, as a soldier & comrade err shall. After the battle I saw him a few moments in the field Hospital. He could then talk but with difficulty, said he did not expect to live but that he was ready to go - that he could trust in the Savior. He mentioned some articles that he wished sent to the dear ones at home. He particularly desired that any property that he should have should hereafter be his mothers. I attempted to cheer him but he said he knew his condition & knew that he could not live. When I told him that our expedition had been successful, that we had gained something by our heavy loss, he pressed my hand & said he was satisfied. He also wished me to thank our Company for him that they had fought so well. I left him promising to see him again the next morning, but during the night he was removed & I saw him no more. Alfred is truly mourned through the entire Regt. For that short time that he had been in the Regt he had in no common degree won the regard & esteem of all the officers, but on myself does his loss fall the most heavily. During the few months that we had been together I have most highly prized our constant companionship. Our many common intersets brought us into the closest communion & our common dear ones at home strengthened & encouraged us in many try hours -