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| Field name |
Value |
| Collection Reference Number
|
GLC03603.140
|
| From Archive Folder
|
Collection of Charles M. Coit, field and staff, 8th regiment, Connecticut, infantry
|
| Title
|
Charles Coit to his family, describing Lieutenant Eaton's deteriorating condition
|
| Date
|
3 September 1862
|
| Author
|
Coit, Charles M. (1838-1878)
|
| Document Type
|
Correspondence
|
| Content Description
|
Writes about the retreat from Fredericksburg and thanks his mother for the rubber coat she sent him. Writes more about Lieutenant Eaton's condition, which he says is deteriorating.
|
| Subjects
|
Civil War Military History Union Forces Infantry Union Soldier's Letter Soldier's Letter Children and Family Confederate States of America Military Uniforms Clothing and Accessories Health and Medical
|
| People
|
Coit, Charles M. (1838-1878)
|
| Place written
|
Acquia Creek, Virginia
|
| Theme
|
The American Civil War; Health & Medicine; Children & Family
|
| Sub-collection
|
Papers and Images of the American Civil War
|
| Copyright
|
The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
|
| Module
|
Civil War, Reconstruction and the Modern Era: 1860-1945
|
| Civil War: Theater of War
|
Main Eastern Theater
|
| Civil War: Unit
|
8th Regiment, Connecticut, infantry
|
| Transcript
|
Show/hide Acquia Creek, Va. Sept 3, 1862 Dear All, Here I am safe sound & well after our skedaddle from Fredericksburg the 31st The 31st ult. Sunday we went out on picket. t"was a very rainy, cold day & the mud very deep & slippery. we built fires & stood round then with our rubber blankets & coats on to keep dry. About noon we recd orders to hold ourselves in readiness to march upon receipt of further orders. these reached us at 5 PM & we marched back the 5 miles to the city to find the bridge burning & all loose stuff that could not be easily transported Fires were blazing all round & the scene was grand indeed we marched until after midnight & bivouacked for 2 hours at Potomac creek & then this somebody's mistake was called up & marched 2 miles further when finding our mistake we marched back, lay down again in the wet & slept about 2 hours more & then started again & marched to - a few miles (4, 5, or 6) & bivouacked there the afternoon & night of the 1st inst. & all day yesterday until night & during last night marched down here. This has been about as trying a season as I have passed tho' but I have come out all right I believe. Lt. Eaton broke down night before last & I think very likely will resign as he finds he cannot stand it. I think he has never recovered from his attack last spring. we are expecting to go aboard boats for Alexandria or Washington to day. The 8th, 11th, & two field pieces & cavalry formed the rear guard on the retreat. Our first retreat I hope our last. We know very little what is taking place before Washington. Hear that Pope beat Jackson Friday - Monday. We could wish for brighter news & I believe we shall have it very soon. The Rubber coat you sent me at Newbern has done me great service & been above price the last few days. Monday night we experienced one of the severest storms of rain & wind that I ever knew & the coat was my only covering & it kept me almost entirely dry. Best love. I write stretched out in the sun & dirt. Have not had a change of underclothing for a long time. Shall find it when we get to A. or W. Your affct son & bro Chas
|
