Coit, Charles M. (1838-1878) to his family
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03603.295 Author/Creator: Coit, Charles M. (1838-1878) Place Written: s.l. Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 1 July 1864 Pagination: 2 p. Order a Copy
He reacts to his family reminding him about his pledge not to drink liquor. Defends his drinking of liquor by saying that they only pledged not to drink it as a beverage-not as recreation. Says that he has been indulging in it quite freely.
Friday 7o'clock P.M.
One of your last letters mentioned our pledge & my not using liquor. I had intended to speak up for the point before but have forgotten each letter. Until we landed at Bermuda I had not tasted a drop of any thing since leaving old Connt but since our arrival at B. I have used whiskey & at times quite freely & it has truly been with the best result. Our pledge was to abstain from its use as a beverage & that pledge I think I have not broken in my use of the critter. Speaking of drinking reminds me of my coffee drinking at Cold Harbor - there for a number of days I drank by measurement just three quarts per day. I dont know why it did not kill me - it would
have made me sick in a few days more. Afterwards I got some tea at the Corps Hospt & had that at night & that made me all right again soon. If it does not cost too much in three times can you send me by mail a piece of mosquito bar netting - any dark color - a yard or so wide & a couple long - flies & insects trouble us a good deal. I hate to ask you to spend anything for me but I want this much & think I can carry it every where with me.
Farewell Chas
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