Coit, Charles M. (1838-1878) to his family
High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.
Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03603.281 Author/Creator: Coit, Charles M. (1838-1878) Place Written: Richmond, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 15 May 1864 Pagination: 1 p. Order a Copy
Writes seven miles from Richmond that the regiment is occupying a line of entrenchments that were captured the day before. Says that they are within sight of a rebel fort but have had no heavy fighting in the past few days. Notes that he doesn't anticipate heavy battle as the regiment has pushed as far as it had intended to go and he anticipated falling back soon. Believes that the fort "ahead" is part of the Drewry Bluff line.
In the Field about 7 miles from Richmond Sunday A.M.
Dear All, We are lying in sight of a rebel fort, we occupying their first line of entrenchments captured yesterday. We have had no heavy fighting lately & our loss has been small. The Rebs skedaddled from this line of works that we now occupy. I do not judge from appearances that there will be more than picket firing & skirmishing to day & it is generally believed that we have pushed forward as far as was intended and are now going to fall back to camp again. The forts ahead of us are a part of the Drewry Bluff (Ft. Darling) line I presume.
Citation Guidelines for Online Resources
The copyright law of the United States (title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.