Coit, Charles M. (1838-1878) to his family
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03603.342 Author/Creator: Coit, Charles M. (1838-1878) Place Written: s.l. Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 23 May 1865 Pagination: 4 p. Order a Copy
He writes of riding out with other officers to welcome Sherman's troops but getting lost and wet with rain along the way. He writes of seeing Mr. Birnie, Mr. Buckingham and Mr. Ripley in Richmond. He receives an order to escort the Springfield party "round the fortifications." He resists telling the guests the heroic tale of the 8th putting "the first colors on Ft. Harrison".
Camp Tuesday P.M.
Dear All,
I believe it's a whole week since I last wrote. I did not intend to let seven days slip by without a line but one thing & another has occured to prevent. The great trouble is that I have so - much- time that I keep delaying. And now I will tell part that - has - occupied me. Early last week the first of Sherman's troops arrived near us and a great party of half a dozen officers of this Regt rode out to meet our friends in the 5th and 20th Connt Regts. we went out on the wrong road & had a long ride with a good wetting into the bargain. we rode something over twenty miles. I think I hear you saying pretty well for an - invalid - . I enjoyed this my first ride highly, but the next day I found the most comfortable position I could take was flat on my back. oh how sore I was from the crown of my hat to the soles of my feet. I did not think we should ride five miles when we left camp. The day that the 14th & 20th corps past thro' Richmond I was again in the saddle & viewed the "bummers" as they marched thro' the city. Rode proabably fifteen miles that day. Saturday P.M. recieved a note from Div. Hd. Qts. stating that Mr Birnie, Rev Mr. Buckingham & Mr. D.C. Ripley were visiting Richmond & would like to see me. That evening in saddle again bound for Genl Devens' Hd. Qts. at Manchester, but did not find Mr. B &c but obtained a pass to go to R. the next day. so Sunday A.M. I mounted for the city. Met Mr. Birnie on his way to church & joined his party. Heard a sermon from a so. Carolina clergyman who prayed for the - authorities-. Took dinner with Mr. Birnie at the Arlington House where I met Mr. Buckingham &Mr. Ripley & others of the party. Monday morning before six A.M. an orderly waked me from my dreams & informed me that major Elder, A.
D.C. to Genl Owens, wished me to join him at Div. Hd. Qts. at 8 o'clock to escort the Springfield party round the fortifications, an order that I was in no wise disposed to disobey. I borrowed an animal & reported promptly. At the Arlington House Mr. Birnie with 15 or 16 others & Re- Mifses Buckingham & Parson, Mifses Ripley & Atwater & al - took possession of the four horse Hd. Qts. establishment & two ambulances that Genl Devens had supplied & off we started for Fort Harrison - or as it is now called - Ft. Burnham - Major Elder & my self horseback. At Ft. Burnham met Genl & Mrs. Curtis. Mrs. C. inquired after Mo & Sis - Ate our luncheon in the rebel fort Endwell & then home again. Did not I tell [1] them how the old 8th put the first colors on Ft. Harrison & how I commanded then. Didnt i waive my hat & swing my arms, & describe to them how the shot & shell ploughed thro' our massed column &c &c &c. well you know that's my style. The whole face of the country there has been so changed by the
cutting down of forests on both sides that I could hardly recognize it as the familiar ground that we occupied last October. Major Elder & I had many a hearty laugh over the weight of old iron that one party carried home as trophies. old axes, pick axes, gun barrels, bayonets, chains, &c. Ha, ha. said farewell to Mr B & party at the Arlington house, declining to dine with them. Reached camp little before 6 P.M. Had ridden 25 or 30 miles and to day I feel "bully". Now dont you think I ought to write particularly in regard to my present state of health. Last night orders were received for col. Pratt to report with Regt to col. Coughlin mil. Com. of District. Probably shall not move for a week & then probably to Maryville. In the back part of the little blank book in which I kept my ordinance accoutns there is a memorandum of Company Savings Fund expenses &c will George copy and send me. Mail closes. Yours of 13th recd.
Love Affct son & bro Chas
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