Coit, Charles M. (1838-1878) to his family

Recd yours of 2d & 3d Camp Bermuda Hds Sept 5
Dear All,
I will try to look over your last letters & answer them at this writing as for me I can fairly spare the time. The last recd on Augt 26 & 29, & sept 1. In looking over your letters one thought comes home to me particularly, it is that I must have written from in front of Petersburg some terribly sore & complaining letters. I fear I did but we were all so totally worn out & sick that for one I was ready to find fault or complain at any thing that did not suit me & I think all will agree that they felt likewise. Tho it's only 10 1/2 A.M. I am sleepy & going to have a nap. That's about the way I feel. Camp Sept 8, P.M. Haven't I had a long nap. Wonder of wonders - my valise & box per Exprets arrived safely yesterday Augt 31 I wrote Smith & Co. of Norfolk and also the Exp. Agent at Ft. Monroe received answers to both night before last the Agent saying that they had both in their possession a - long time - & had that day given them to the Sutler of the 27th Mass Regt to take to Bermuda. I found them yesterday at the Sutlers & every thing is in perfect order. The valise I like -very- much I think just as well as a sole leather one - its the best of the kind I have seen. The boots fit me as though they had been made for me but just to keep up my fault finding character I will say that the soles are precisely one eighth of an inch to thick. By the way I am breaking them in to day - am Brigade Off. of Day & have ten or twelve miles riding & by the way again George in one of his last asked a question that went right to my heart. In substance was this - whether if another should command the Regt I could still keep my horse. No, I can not & to day I probably ride him for the last time. I have kept him so many days since I was relieved by Capt. Hoyt because said Capt had applied for a Leave of Absence, being very much worn out by his severe duties on the Staff during the campaign. (I truly believe that Division Provost marshals have had the lightest duties of - any- active officers during the campaign, their duties never calling them to the front. Capt. H's chief duty has been guzzling whiskey and at his tent now the whiskey bottle is always the most prominent object and he is under its effects a large part of the time. Foss complains most loudly to me that Head Quarters is a public bar nothing else. I write more fully to you about these things than I ought.) Every thing came in perfect order and I am exceedingly obliged for all the goodies. Col. ward having made application to be orderd before a - board of surgeons- to be examined for a Leave of Absence was yesterday ordered before a - Military Commission- convened to enquire in to the military alilities, efficiency, & physical condition of col. Edward ward - thats the way the order reads as I remember it. Col. Ward told me about it & we talked it over at length. He is quite apprehensive & I must confess I am & I should dread having him discharged at present. I think the effect on the Regt would be very bad particularly on its present commanding off. as Col. Ward is the only one here that he cares for, as he ranks all the rest of us, and Col's influence on him is certainly restraining as he knows promotions can only come through him. Lt. Col. Smith & Hoyt are fast friends. Lt. C Col. Smith has been reported as absent sick more than sixty days & will probably be discharged but whether discharged or not Capt. Hoyt will be all right if Col Ward is out of the way. I believe that the true state of the case tho' I ought not to put it in black & white, dont repeat. The men of the Regt think the world of Col. Ward & for that reason I should fear his discharge. Foss thinks this ordering before the mil. Com. may have been brought about by Capt. H while at Div. Hd. Qts & it's hardly probable that 'twould have been ordered unless someone interested suggested it. Capt. His return to the Regt seems to confirm this idea. I dont know what to think. can hardly believe it of him. [1] Rumor says that our Corps is to be broken up & detachments from to garrison the small places in No. Carolina & Va. Hope it's so if the 8th is put to that duty.
I must hasten to close & again visit my picket: line. Our lines are on the best of terms & can ride all along the front line without a shot being fired. This picket line is advanced a mile beyond the main works, but quite near the Rebels. I enclose a couple of new badges, aint they pretty. Will Ellen put a silver lining around one of them for me. This is the men's badge & I thought if the edge could be worked with silver thread or something of the sort it would be real pretty worn on the hat, I have a plain one on now, then I will get a figure 2 silvered & put in the middle and be all right. The shape is the corps - 18th - the color the Div - 1st & the figure the Brigade. The real officers badge is very expensive - & this is just as good - its worn on the left breast suspended by a tri-colored ribbon, its made generally of Carolina stone I think & backed a strong thread with silver or gold plate. I like one on the hat better for a line officer. Please get my sash of Mrs. Goddard. It was in Alfred's valise. Was the best one of the two being longer & heavier than Alfred's but I think more worn perhaps. I had in his valise one or two other things I believe, Tactics or something of the kind, but nothing important I believe. Please send the sash to me by mail & if you can send my dress coat by mail without too much expense I should like that also. Its getting pretty cold for blouses & I need a dress coat here for our parades. I must stop tho' not half through.
Best love to every body uncle Geo & Aunt M particularly Affct son & bro Chas