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.

Spafford, Forrest to the family of Charles Morgan Coit

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03603.287 Author/Creator: Spafford, Forrest Place Written: Coal Harbor, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 3 June 1864 Pagination: 2 p. Order a Copy

Writes on Coit's behalf. Says that the regiment has joined Grant's group and is at the center of their "line of battle." Comments about the position of the enemy and the condition of the regiment.

In the Field, near the Front
Coal Harbor near Gaines mill Va
Friday evening June 3d, '64

Friend Coit
I saw your brother yesterday noon. We was quite well then. our chaplain has just been out to the regiment and says the same. He sent in word by him to me that he was well and would like to have me write you a line to that effect. Our corps now occupies I should judge about the centre of Grant's line of battle. Our regiment has not been actively engaged as yet but are in the extreme front and continually skirmishing our position is behind a low line of entrenchments thrown up night before last The enemy hold an earth work directly in our front and only a very short
distance in our advance. we have lost thus far about a dozen men killed and wounded. The general health of the regiment is good tho' of course all feel somewhat fatigued but the boys are in good spirits and plan much confidence in our new leader Gen Grant.
I remain
Yours truly,
Forrest Spafford.

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

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