Morse, George F. (fl. 1864-1868) [Collection of George F. Morse, 91st regiment, New York, volunteers] [decimalized]

Collection of George F. Morse, private, 91st New York Volunteers. There are 52 items in the collection, including 17 letters from Morse, from his enlistment in October 1864, until his discharge in July 1865. Letters were written from Kingston, New York; Harts Island, New York Harbor; Fort Federal Hill, Baltimore, Maryland; and Hatcher's Run, Virginia, 1864-1869. As a member of the brotherhood of State Street (Brooklyn, New York), Morse corresponds with other brotherhood members (some military, some civilian) regarding the war, politics and religion.

Content includes discussion of runaway substitute soldiers; bounty payment; capture of Confederate forces; reports of battles and retreats; assassination of President Lincoln; surrender of Confederate General Joseph Johnston; and more.

The George F. Morse Papers consist primarily of the correspondence between Morse and his family and friends during his Civil War service in New York's 91st Regiment. Morse, a resident of Brooklyn, NY, enlisted in Kingston, NY in October of 1864. He was stationed for a time at Hart's Island, NY before his transfer to Fort Federal Hill, MD where he served as captain's clerk in Company D. As a solider with the 91st, he participated in the final campaigns of the war in which the Regiment sustained heavy casualties. During these weeks he wrote letter to his father from Virginia from locations near Hatchers Run (#24), South Side Railroad (#25), and Burkevill (#26). Morse was mustered out of service with the 91st Regiment in July 1865.

This Collection, which documents the activities of the 91st Regiment during its last months of service, also offers insights into religious activies in Brooklyn Heights, NY both during and after the Civil War. Letters from fellow members of an organization referred to as the Brotherhood, which was located on State Street, provide access to the thoughts and sentiments of those involved in Christian evanglical activities. Most notable are the letters from William Jamieson, who served in the 91st Regiment as a nurse, and Edward E. Francis who remained in Brooklyn. These letters contain news of the development of activities at the Brotherhood and address religious matters regarding temptation, sin, faith, and salvation. Some of the letters from the front are written on stationary from the US Christian Commisson.

In addition to the wartime materials in this collection, post-war correspondence (1865-1868) reflects business, personal, and religious concerns, and includes the reminiscences of wartime companions and speculations about potential prospects on the western frontier.

The forty-seven letters are arranged chronologically, with a U.S Armory pass and 4 unaccompanied envelopes listed at the end.