Camp of 8th Rg. connt vs. Newport News VA, Feby. 25. Miss Greene, Dear Madame, I have re ceived by col. ward the very beautiful and acceptable gift you have so kindly sent me, - a very fine field glass. I wish I could express to you how much I am gratified and cheered by this most kind and unexpected rememberance but I cannot hope to make any of our friends at home understand fully how our hearts are touched by every proof that we are not forgotten by them. I have always wished for a glass of this kind which often may be of great service and is at all times most pleas ant and entertaining in the extensive views both by land and sea which we meet in our wanderings. Nothing could have suited me so entirely and I know that you will believe I am deeply gratified to you for this beautiful and valuable gift and rejoice to recognise in it another proof of the watchful interest and untiring cares you have so long and constantly manifested for the comfort & happiness of the soldier. I cannot look upon it with-out desiring anew to exert every energy I posses to be worthy of such kind rememberance and to do all in my power to help crush this wicked rebellion and has-ten the time when we once more return to dear old Connecticut. we have at present very comfortable quarters in barracks, we have very few sick and all are in the best possible spirits, we were rejoiced at being withdrawn from the Army of the Potomac and hope [vertical third page] Genl Burnside, "our General" is to lead us hereafter in our new field of operations. will you please remember me most respectfully to your father and family, and believe me very gratefully. Your most obedient servant Chas. M. Coit. Wednesday eveng 10 P.M. Dear All, I have not written you for several days partly because I was determined I would first of all write Miss Greene & that I have not done before because everything seemed to interfere. As we are now living it is almost impossible to have a moment's privacy & if you had not sent me the copy, which I believe I have copyed almost word for word, I could hardly have written it at all - then two days were so cold & stormy that no one could write & I have been and am still, on a pocky Genl Court martial which takes the best part of every day. We - the court - adjourned at 10 A.M. to day that we might witness the review of the corps - the 9th - by Genls Dix & Smith. T'was a splendid display. I think the first review I ever witnesses & I never before realized what a vast body of men a Corps is. I had the whole day to my self & I enjoyed myself vastly. I carried my field glass slung acrofs my shoulder & used it faithfully & appreciated it fully. I shall value it more & more every day I own it. Every one who looks thro' it proclaims it a particularly fine one. I stood quite near the Generals while the whole corps marched past, regiment after regiment & I truly think the Connecticut brigade surpasses all others in marching & general appearance. I was, as I always can truly be, proud of the Brigade. The corps line of battle at the review was fully a mile long & at that each regiment was formed at "Double Column" - in this position each regiment exposes but one fourth of its length. I wish you could all have witnessed it. If I had known of it in time I really think I should have written for George to come on. We are hoping to get a wall tent for the officers of each company & if we succeed when mine is fitted up I should very much like to have George come on & spend a day or two at least if you all think best. I dons know whether he would be able to get through but he would have no difficulty before reaching Baltimore & perhaps our friends the Perkins could help him procure passes for the Fortress from them and I could probably meet him at Ft. Monroe. If every thing appears favorable & you approve when I get my tent I will write more fully. Hope to see col. Harland & my trunk soon. His leave has been extended five days. He is real clever to take the trunk. Recd yours enclosing Mary Day Reynolds photo. I was much amused at receiving hers first & could not understand it at first. No news. - wish I could have heard Wendell Phillips. - I think he ofter seems very close to the truth. Good night. Must retire as I now - generally - arise at Reveille. Hope you are all perfectly well & comfortable warm & pleasant to day. Love to you all dearest Chas