Coit, Charles M. (1838-1878) to his family
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03603.326 Author/Creator: Coit, Charles M. (1838-1878) Place Written: s.l. Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 17 October 1864 Pagination: 6 p. Order a Copy
He writes that he has inspected the whole Brigade (5 Regiments) and that his hand is tired from writing. He describes the content of the inspection blanks. He writes that he has received a commission as Major, which he considers an insult and plans to decline. He intends to obtain a staff position. He believes he has done his full duty and wishes that someone else would try to fill his shoes and uphold the reputation that he has worked hard to create and maintain. He writes that he is frequently asked why he has not been promoted and that it has embarrassed him. Now he will be able to say that he has turned down promotion. He states that he would rather leave the noble regiment at its zenith rather than witness its inevitable decline. He writes that the Quartermaster told him that the regiment would "go to the dogs" if Coit left and that Colonel Ward planned to leave if Coit was also leaving. He writes that he is trying to get "some thing" for Mrs. Hotchkiss but that he is bad at getting "trophies." Asks if she would like an Indian arrowhead or a Rebel Hymn book that he found at Petersburg, Virginia. He also mentions that he has included General Order No. 134.
Hd. Qts. 2d Brig 1st Div
Octo 17 P.M.
Dear All,
Must write a line tho' I am very busy. Have to day inspected the whole Brigade - five Regiments and my hand is too tired to write much to night if I had the time. Its not easy work to handle every musket in a Brigade. In addition to the duties of a Asst. Adjt Genl, which is enough for any one man, I am performing the duties of AA Insp Genl and am at work now on my Report I wish you could see the blank I have to fill in making it. Every imaginable question is asked from military Discipline & the like to questions relating to sanitary condition & finally it asks whether - Chaplain- makes regular reports &c. I recd by mail this A.M. a com - mission as major which I shall have the honor of - declining -, since receiving it I cant think of it as any thing but an - insult - coming as it does at this late date, after every one in the Regt round me, who were my inferiors in rank at the commencement of the campaign, have been promoted. You may think I am very crank about rank but I acknowledge I care more about it than any thing else in the army & it grows upon me every day And Ihere affirm that an officer who is indifferent about his rank and will not insist upon it to a day is not worthy to hold a commission. I now intend to obtain a staff position ^ I am of course only serving temporarily while Capt. Clarke is absent & or return to the bosom of my family. ^I may be relieved any day. I believe I can exert influence enough at Washington to obtain a commission as Asst. Adjt. Genl or something else. I dont mean to return to the Regiment again for duty I believe I have done my full duty by it & I am now willing someone else should try their hand on the two or three offices & 100 men who still remain to uphold an - unstained reputation - which I know I have faithfully labored & largely contributed to build up. And here let me copy from Genl Burnham's report of action at Petersburg June 15 "I would also commend Capt. Chas. M. Coit Commdg 8th Connt vols. for his good behavior on that occasion and the prompt manner in which he supported Col. Stevens". 13th N. H. I think that was a good deal for a Genl to put in an official report for - only a Captain-. All thro' the Report he speaks most handsomely of the 8th I was at corps Hd. Qts. a day or two since and Capt. Thurber AA Genl who was for - [1] Page 1merally on Genl Brooks staff asked me why I had never been promoted &c said Genl Brooks thought much of me & would have had something to say about it if he had remained and where ever I go I am asked that question until I am ashamed & - mad -. I always answer Capt. Hoyt is senior Capt. & then they say but you have been so long in com - mand. Now I shall tell them because I would not accept. Capt. Hoyt was mustered out of the service a few days since & left us this morning. Col. Ward told me a week or two ago that when he (Col. W.) returned to the Regt Capt. H. would be advised to travel. Including Capt Hoyt six of our officers have been mustered out within a week. Dr. Storrs, Quartermaster Dougherty Lieuts Breed, Stevens, & Lowe. I can come home any day I want to & this knowledge puts a new phase on army life. A Major's Commission dont compensate me for an additional three years muster. I should feel very differently if we were receiving recruits and there was any prospect of ever having a full Regt again, but we shall dwindle away, growing "small by degree & beautifully -less" until we finally die out. Thats the present prospect and I would rather leave the noble old Regt while at its zenith. Dont for the world think there is the least misunderstanding between any off, or man in the Regt. & my self. Our association is the - most pleasant - & I now spend all my spare time there & as to the Offs opinion of me I feel perfectly satisfied. Our Q.Master told me several days ago that I had been recommended & when I said that. I should not accept he expressed himself - rather - strongly. - Dont repeat this. - I must tell you, said I was the only officer that could keep the Regt up and that it would go to the dogs A(that was the idea)A if I left and once when I said in Col. Ward's presence that I intended to go home, he (Col. Ward) said he should go there too then. How terrible Genl. Harland's death, How he will be remembered in Norwich. How much better for a soldier to die in action than to be stricken down by disease. Twas sad news to us all here. All the old Regis - Offs &
men thought the world of Harland. I did not intend to write so much when I commenced & not near as much about myself but you know that I am a great brag & when I begin talking about my self I never know where to leave off. I have been almost sick lately with one of my colds but its better now. Caught cold the first night I slept in a house. Have not lost my duty by my cold. I am busy just about all the time here, have two clerks & one of them is writing all day commmence ing with morning Report at 6 o'clock A.M. How sad Mrs. Dyer's death and the Meech's so happy. Well so goes the world. I would like to congratulate Steve. The mail has gone & I must send my letters over to Division Hd. Qts. to mail [2] Page them there. so good night dear all I'll try to write oftener hereafter. Love to uncle Geo. & Aunt Mary and to all the New Haven friends. Have been trying to get some thing for Mrs. Hotchkiss but I'm not a bit good hand to get trophies.
Chas
I have a Rebel Hymn book and an arrow head (Indian) found in front of Petersburg, would Mrs. H. like either do you think. For fun I send several of Butler's Orders. [Gen. Order No.134.]
[top margin first page] I think I have received every thing you have sent coat &c & money in last two letters. I forget when I write to acknowledge as I always write in haste. I have written now ten times what I intended. Best love always. so you are at New Haven lately Good bye. Write soon & tell me what you think of my desire. Have you recd the $600 I sent to George by Express. (diagonal) I enclose some "change" to a show the shape we get it
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