Our Collection

At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

Smith (fl. 1864) to Mrs. Charles Coit

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03603.331 Author/Creator: Smith (fl. 1864) Place Written: s.l. Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 28 October 1864 Pagination: 2 p. Order a Copy

The Chaplain writes to Mrs. Coit to inform her that Charles has been wounded with a shrapnel shot. Smith reports the wound is severe and that he was being transported to Chesapeake Hospital. He requested that the Chaplin write to his mother immediately.

Eighth Reg Conn Vols 18th Corps
Oct. 28th, 1864.
Mrs. Chas Coit,
I have more than once written to friends of Capt. Coit after engagements to relieve their anxiety and assure them of his welfare. This time I can not give you as cheering news as before. He was wounded yesterday P.M. and has to-day started on board a Hospital steamer with others for Chesapeake Hospital Hampton, Va. The wound was severe. It was apparantly a shrapnel shot the ball broke the collar bone and entered the cavity of the chest. Of course his first thoughts were respecting his dear loved mother and he desired me to write you immediately. We hope for the best. we know that he is in the hands of a kind Father where we believe he loves and who knows all the feelings
Chaplain Smith of 8th Connt Vol.
Charles wounded -

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

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