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 #: GLC03603.288 Author/Creator: Coit, Charles M. (1838-1878) Place Written: s.l. Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 5 June 1864 Pagination: 2 p. Order a Copy
Thanks God for preserving him through the days of danger and suffering. Writes about his feelings about acting as a commander. Notes that he read the last letter from his family "with the bullets whistling over me".
Hd. Qts. 8th Connt Vols.
June 5, 1864
Dearest all,
Another Sabbath & I am writing from the front in health & strength I hope I thank God for his infinite mercy in this preserving me through so many days of suffering, trial, & danger. We have been engaged the last four days with more or less loss every day. Most of the time we fought behind breast works or our losses would have been most heavy. In the four days we have lost about thirty killed & wounded. About midnight last night we were relieved from duty on our front lines - the extreme front - & are to day lying quiet in one of the rear lines. I am very glad that we pass the sabbath in greater quiet. I have been reading Beechers sermon in the Independent of 26th. Foss & Spafford went to white House yesterday sick, so officers & men are dwindling away. We have for duty but about 175 offs & men. If I can judge I enjoy the highest confidence of offs & men. & I feel ready to do any thing when I see that they so trust me. Don't think from this that I am likely to expose my self rashly that is any thing but the part of a good soldier. I shall try to do my duty praying God to carry me through. I do continually ask him to preserve me & to guide me in my command of this noble remnants of a noble Regt. The chaplain is waiting for me to finish. I know you are constantly remem- bering me in your prayers & this strengthens me greatly. Recd yours of 30th Friday & read it with the bullets whistling over me. Enclosed was about $5. - much obliged - am now supplyed for the present. Have recd money in your two last letters about $12 in all I believe. I think I have missed some of your letters between the two with money.
Best love. Affct son & bro
Chas
Regards to every body
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.