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| Field name |
Value |
| Collection Reference Number
|
GLC03603.244
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| From Archive Folder
|
Collection of Charles M. Coit, field and staff, 8th regiment, Connecticut, infantry
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| Title
|
Charles Coit to his family, in which he writes of arriving at Yorktown
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| Date
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22 June 1863
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| Author
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Coit, Charles M. (1838-1878)
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| Document Type
|
Correspondence
|
| Content Description
|
Writes of marching and arriving at Yorktown. Mentions that this was the site that General "McC's" troops were camped a year ago and describes an incident in which a black Rebel sharpshooter hid out in a tree and picked off the Union men until he, himself was shot. Says that the men will embark the next day for West Point where, it is rumored, [General Joseph] Hooker's and [General Robert E.] Lee's army's are fighting.
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| Subjects
|
Civil War Military History Union Forces Union Soldier's Letter Soldier's Letter Union General Injury or Wound Death Confederate States of America African American History African American Troops Confederate General or Leader Battle
|
| People
|
Coit, Charles M. (1838-1878)
|
| Place written
|
Yorktown, Virginia
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| Theme
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The American Civil War; African Americans
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| Sub-collection
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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
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| Civil War: Theater of War
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Main Eastern Theater
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| Civil War: Unit
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8th Regiment, Connecticut, infantry
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| Transcript
|
Show/hide Bivouac at Yorktown, Va. 1 o'clock P.M. June 22, '63 Dear All Marched from camp to Portsmouth yesterday AM & were embarked by day light. Arrived at this place before noon same day. Our shelter tent camp occupies ground occupied by part of McC's forces last year. The immense tree in which the Rebel sharpshooting negro secreted himself while he picked off our men is quite near. The Negro was finally dispatched by California, Joe of our sharpshooters. we have recd no orders about moving farther as yet tho' we suppose we are to march & join Keyes' forces. There are but two wagons assigned to each Regt - one of which is for officer's blankets & shelter tents & cooking utensils - we have so few officers present that we are also able to carry a change of clothing. I carry all that I have with me in a knapsack & think I am very fortunate at that. The men carry nothing but blankets & shelters. I supposed that Yorktown was something of a place but there are hardly half a dozen houses in all. Had a fine bathe last night in the clear salt water of the York. It's rumored this afternoon that we are to embark again tomorrow for west Point. we hear today that Hooker & Lee are fighting that Hooker's army occupies the same ground that the Rebs under Beauregard occupied at the first Bull Run and that we are thus far ahead. I hope that we may be blessed this time & Lee totally routed - then with Vicksburg, Port Hudson & if we take Rich- mond I think we shall truly be about "bunk". If we take transports to West Point I think we shall be saved most of the marching & this hot weather marching is hardly to be preferred to fighting. There are said to be but three thousand Rebs between Keyes troops & Fair oaks. I have every confidence in Keyes. He has the name of being very judicious in management of troops in the field & saving of life. I sit in my shelter on the ground my back touching the top & my knapsack in my lap for a writing desk - not particularly convenient. Best love Afft son & bro Chas
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