Coit, Charles M. (1838-1878) to his family
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03603.286 Author/Creator: Coit, Charles M. (1838-1878) Place Written: Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 31 May 1864 Pagination: 2 p. Order a Copy
Writes from the "White House" that his regiment is expecting to stay here to hold it as a base for Grant's army but they have been ordered to move again. "I hope that if we are about to go into action & danger that we shall at least have the satisfaction of thinking that we are under a commander who is accomplishing something & that we are helping even if so little towards ending the Rebellion." Includes a summary of how many officers and staff are still with the regiment.
White House, Va. May 31.
Dear All,
Arrived here last night & are now all packed, rations distributed, & tents struck waiting final orders to march. Last night the ground here was staked out for fortifications & we supposed we were to fortify here to secure this place as a base of supplies for Grant's Army which we understand is within a few miles of Richmond, but our orders this morning look more like advancing to join Grant. Several cavalry men have come in from Grant's Army since we arrived. Just before leaving Bermuda Hundreds I recd your letter enclosing money about $8 I think - I have received no letter since & probably shall not while we are moving. I shall write as often as possible. Am much obliged for the money. I hope if we are about to go into action & danger that we shall at least have the satisfaction of thinking that we are under a commander who is accomplishing something & that we are helping even if so little towards ending the Rebellion. There would be great satisfaction in that.
I am still in command. Col. Ward is expected to join us in a few days. I have one advantage while I am commanding, that is a horse to ride. & I think our marching will be about over before Col. Ward returns, for if the Rebs attempt tp hold Richmond, as I suppose of course they will, I presume we will be obliged to lay siege to it. As I write we hear cannonading though at a great distance. Must be from Grant's army. our Regt is greatly reduced in officers so many are wounded or sick. We have to day only nine (9) off. for our ten companies & the Adjt & my self besides the Quartermaster, surgeon & chaplain. I enclose a rough copy of my letter to Mrs. Goddard. I changed it slightly & added a little. I am very well, I am greatly blessed in this particular. God has in his infinite mercy, in answer to the many prayers that are being constantly offered for me most wonderfully preserved me in health & strength great dangers & I can trust him for the future. 12 M. Don't think we shall march to day. we are pitching our tents again. That's just the way we get orders. We - never - get off when our orders state. I think my Brigadier is dreadfully figgetty & always gets us up 4 in as uncomfortable a position as possible before it's necessary.
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