Coit, Charles M. (1838-1878) to his family
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03603.313 Author/Creator: Coit, Charles M. (1838-1878) Place Written: s.l. Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 18 August 1864 Pagination: 2 p. Order a Copy
Writes from camp Bermuda that he awaits the return of papers that he accidentally sent home. He will loose pay without them. He writes that a group of soldiers coming to join the picket line were attacked by rebel soldiers and wounded.
Camp Bermuda Hd. Sunday P.M.
Dear Ones,
Recd yours of 15th, 16th, & 19th the latter from Geo. enclosing stamps and before I again forget I will add to their acknowledgements Recd from Ellen "Martin Role", many thanks a New Haven paper last night & a pamphlet you recd from Ed Abbott. A week or two ago I recd from Aunt Mary an "Eclectic" for Sept. - Do thank her- for me I am ashamed I have not noticed it in my letters before. I have been expecting each day a letter from George enclosing the ordinance papers that I wrote for & have deferred writing partly on that account. I am in great haste for them as I now have opportunity for making Returns & if we are sent off from here I may not be settled long enough to do it for a long time & if I should desire to leave the service, I could not do so without loss of all the pay that should be due me at the time until this Return is made & accepted and if any - thing should happen to me the Accounts could probably never be settled in which case every body would loose except the U.S. I could not get out of the service without making this Return except with the loss of at least $200 or more which I think I have earned by hard & faithful work, so you see how valuable these papers are to me & in fact to us all. I tried to make the Returns last spring while we were at Portsmouth but at that time I could not get the necessary blanks from the Ordinance Department at Washington. I almost hope you decided not to send my coat & sash by Express for it takes matter so long to reach the Regt. I dont feel in a bit of a letter writing mood to day. I think I have about written out during the past week tho' I have not favored those that I love most and best with a single letter in that time. I have been engaged in official documents which I have had to spend a good deal of time & thought on concerning the muster out of some of my company &c &c &c Brigade Divine service the morning & a service in the Regt this afternoon at 2 1/2 o'clock & it's almost that time now. Mr. Smith conducted the service this A.M. & he has just been in to see what I thought of the expediency of the service this P.M. I meant to have answered Ellen's letter long ago. I think I will direct this to New Haven & then Geo. will get it just as quick I am very well Nothing particularly new. Deserters are coming in faster than ever since Sheridan's - most splendid- & - complete victory- Six came in on our Brigade picket line last night & many others were coming but their Rebel comrades discovered them & fired on them several are said to have been wounded. Col. Ward was ordered before a Board of Surgeons at Fortress Monroe a day or two since & I think he will get his furlough there, tho' its possible they may discharge him. Best love Dear All - Chas-
No pay yet - hope- for the Paymaster this week.
If you found a little book on Court martial by Coppee among the things at Mrs Goddards place send it to me by mail I dont remember whether it was in Alf's valise or in Co. box which is at Portsmouth.
Bermuda 100-
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