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

Evening Octo. 4. '62 Another member of my Co. died to day - so I lose two. I hoped all would recover. None were killed at one time it was quite probable that all would recover. One that we know was wounded is still missing I think must have been carried off a prisoner. Several of my Co were taken by the rebels paroled. It is very provoking that the 8th get no mention as even being in the fight at all Tho' we are not soldiers of fortune fighting for glory yet we do feel a natural desire to have the credit which rightly belongs to us. I hear the Tribune mentioned with credit the 11th 16th & 4th RI - all the Regts of our Brigade except the 8th. I admit the 11th did just as well as any Regt could & no praise is too great for them but I claim the same for the 8th. The 16th did well for a Regt that had never been under fire before & well for a Regt commanded by officers who know no more about tactics than about Hebrew. The 4th RI did about as usual - broke at the first fire & ran down over the 16th. their own officers, some of them, admit it. I saw this evening some illustrations in one of the Picture papers of the charges of Hawkins Zovs at the last battle. I am perfectly surprised they are perfectly ridiculous. there was no foundation at all even for such a picture That artist did not see our battle I am sure. I recd yesterday a letter from JG wait asking about Marvin, how badly wounded he is &c it is dated the day before Starkweather started of course all the questions were answered before I recd it. I had intended to answer it and give all the particulars I could collect but I can find nothing to write. The man who started with him from the field is a prisoner it is supposed. The chaplain met him going off with wait & sent him back & took wait to a sheltered spot under the fence & after look ing at his wounds left him there but a few rods from the Regt telling him he would send an ambulance as soon as possible evidently thinking that we should hold the field until reinforcements arrived to drive back the rebels. A fool ought to have known better in my opinion. If the chaplain had left him with the man or men of his Co. who had him in charge first, without doubt he would have been brought off the field & perhaps (tho' not probable) his life been saved. The rule is that no man shall leave the ranks to remove the dead or wounded but I should always break it in case an officer is struck. If wait had left the field of his own accord when first hit in the arm it would have been all right but he stayed on to encourage the men still farther by his own example & at last fell pierced by bullet after bullet & was carried off as above. The chaplain gave us all to understand that wait was in the Hospt under the hill, the one that was on neutral ground, between the rebel & union lines the day after the fight. & I think he truly thought him there, & when we march ed onto the field the 2nd day after the fight to look out our killed & wounded I had no thought of finding his body then & I was greatly shock ed when Capt. Moore called me to the spot & pointed it out. Wait was one of the best hearted fellows I ever knew as generous & openhanded as possible & a general favorite His lack of military knowledge was the cause of some feeling against him among particularly his inferiors in rank, but he was smart & quite entertaining & as I said before generally liked. I dont know any thing of Henry Goddard the 14 are in the McClellan army. Gen Burnside has written to Genl McC recommending Col Harland for a Brig Genl. Col. H told me that Genl B sent him a copy of the letter. Dont make this public If we only had good Genls & good aids we could make short work of this rebellion. Few of our Genls are capable of filling the places they now hold & many of their aids are simply boys. I think the position of Aid to a major Genl as important as a Field officer of a Regt I thought that I had written that I did not want the company savings at present. It is money recd for rations not drawn & belongs to the company I am obliged to spend it for their good. I would think it best to sell the store if the price is fair. I suppose real estate has not risen of late & taxes will. If Geo. can get place in Norwich Bank will it be permanent or only until Steve gets back in 9 months if he goes, he would not if he knew what was before him. Battles are unpleasant. I am glad they dont come every day. Best love to Mo. Sister & Bro Chas (upside down on page one) Many thanks that you remember the tomatoes. I mess with Major & Capt Upham now live very well.