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Collection Reference Number GLC03603.276
From Archive Folder Collection of Charles M. Coit, field and staff, 8th regiment, Connecticut, infantry 
Title Charles Coit to his family, stating that he has returned to an unknown camp, following defeat in a battle
Date 17 May 1864
Author Coit, Charles M. (1838-1878)  
Document Type Correspondence
Content Description Writes that he has returned to a camp in an undetermined location after being beaten in battle by a much smaller force. Describes fighting in dense fog at the command of Colonel Smith. Says that the regiment split during battle and Coit and many other men got lost in the woods. Notes that he and a few other men occupied a brick house and held it. Writes that many men were wounded and others fell into enemy hands. "I never felt so perfectly above all fear as during the heavy fighting early in the day, the crisis seemed too great for any such personal feeling and through it all with the bullets striking every thing round me and shells exploding constantly I had the most perfect assurance that I was safe." Notes that the regiment lost 63 men and that he is surprised not to be a prisoner. In closing says "God is very good to me."
Subjects Civil War  Military History  Union Forces  Union Soldier's Letter  Soldier's Letter  Confederate States of America  Battle  Injury or Wound  Death  Prisoner of War  Religion  
People Coit, Charles M. (1838-1878)  
Place written s.l.
Theme The American Civil War; Health & Medicine; Religion
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: Unit 8th Regiment, Connecticut, infantry  
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