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

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03603.341 Author/Creator: Coit, Charles M. (1838-1878) Place Written: s.l. Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 2 May 1865 Pagination: 4 p. Order a Copy

He writes that Quartermaster Merriam has given Coit his tent to make him more comfortable. They are camped 3-4 miles outside Manchester. Though he is in camp, he is considered sick and not on duty. He writes that he is putting off decisions about his future to see what pans out. He encloses a Richmond Times.

Camp, May 18 A.M.

Dear All,
Yours of 15th recd this A.M. Yesterday I forwarded an application to be mustered out & I expect so to again be in the bosom of my family. Farewell to brass buttons. oh if I could only have received the Secretary ship of that Mining Co. would it not have suited me exactly tho' I really should not dare to assume any independent & responsible position at present. If I can only get a decent clerk- ship some where I shall be perfectly satisfied & then I can get posted again & fitting myself for something better, but I do dread any thing very confining this summer. I am very well & strong, can ride horseback all day but do not seem to recover my elasticity & nerve as I could desire. If my pockets were full of greenbacks I should spend the summer
in the neighborhood of the white & Green Hills on New England. The last few days have been very warm & I feel that Virginia is no state for me this summer. Perhaps I shall find New York air is just the tonic I need at any rate I am in for a trial if I can find there any wood to be cut or any brick & mortar to be "hodded". I intend to come North immediately upon being mustered out. Dont think I shall ever delay to survey the "subsoiling" of the Army of the Potomac at Petersburg. very probably I shall take water transporation direct from Richmond to New York - that's cheapest and I think the sail might benefit me. I dont agree with Major Pratt & your self that because I have not heretofore "bummed" it in the army I can be excused if I do so now. I do not care at this late day to abate a lot or little from my present good name & I cant see every one else engaged & lie round myself doing nothing. P.M. I mail to day two Richmond
papers & two to Mrs. R. Hotchkiss. Sidney DeKay has returned to the Regt & is acting Adjutant. Yesterday I received notice from the ordinance Department that my first Return, my responsibility for the whole of 1863 has been received & accepted. Bully for that. If I knew how to direct I would send Etta Russell a Richmond paper as you proposed I shall have no trophies to distribute when I get home. I have no opportunities for seeing any thing here & its too late to get any thing worth having. Your answer to this will undoubtedly find me still here. Did Mrs. Geo. Ripley recover from her illness this spring. I have heard nothing since I left Norwich. I intended to have asked Mr. D. C. Ripley but forgot it. [1] Rev. Mr. Parsons spoke particularly about Aunt Mary. I could not remember at first who Mary Belden was but when he said she married Mr. Geo. Coit I exclaimed oh Aunt Mary. I may stop at Washington or New York
on my way North & possibly drive straight thro' to New Haven. Where I sit down to write I always forget what I particularly wished to write about & I think I have now. Peas, strawberries, cherries, Asparagus, have been quite plenty for a week or two but we are so far from Richmond that we do not often get supplied. Best love, Remember me to all New Haven friends, Your affct son + bro
Chas.

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

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