13 November 1864

Morey, Charles C., fl. 1830-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

Writes from camp near Newtown, Virginia. Discusses election results received in camp on the previous Tuesday. Says the 2nd Regiment gave General George McClellan & George H. Pendleton a majority of 32, but the brigade voted for Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson. Mentions skirmishing with the rebels on the previous day, and hopes to get up a good "house." Mentions success of his father's business and hopes for its continued success. Discusses reports of General Jubal Early's 9000 reinforcements and 17 pieces of artillery. Describes General Philip Sheridan as "the only General who I…

GLC03523.18.31

16 November 1864

Morey, Charles C., fl. 1830-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to parents

Writes from camp near Winchester, Virginia. Discusses those back home going to church on Sundays and on Wednesday evenings. Envisions friends back home in the "vestry" praying for the defenders "…engaged in deadly strife but our cause is holy and we must conquer the rebellion as affectually as the Unionists of the north have conquered the Party striving against them." Mentions a dress parade for General Getty, and speaks of Getty's gallantry and bravery. Refers to the Battle of Winchester on 19 September. Reports General Wheaton's impression of the 2nd Vermont, and its reputation in the field…

GLC03523.18.32

26 November 1864

Morey, Charles C., fl. 1830-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

Writes from Camp Russell, near Winchester, Virginia. Explains that the camp's namesake, General David A. Russell, was killed in action during General Philip S. Sheridan's campaign in the valley. References Sheridan's orders for the 2nd Vermont to write "Winchester," "Fisher's Hill," and "Cedar Creek" on their banner. Also discusses Captain Wales and court martials at Headquarters. Notes that he is "officer of the day." Describes completion of railroad from Martinsburg to Winchester. Describes changes in the supply route, possibly key in establishing headquarters at City Point. Talks about…

GLC03523.18.33

2 December 1864

Morey, Charles C., fl. 1830-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to father

Discusses uncertainty of where his troops will go next: the West, the coast, or Petersburg. Comments on financial matters with his father. Reports that he will not be paid until next January; he is out of money and it is costing him a dollar a day to live. Written from Camp Russell near Winchester, Virginia.

GLC03523.18.34

5 December 1864

Morey, Charles C., fl. 1830-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

Writes from Camp Russell near Winchester, Virginia. Mentions being part of Brigade Grand and having tea in camp. Thanks people back home for their interest in his welfare. Discusses movements of 5th Regiment into an old camp previously occupied by the 3rd Division.

GLC03523.18.35

14 December 1864

Morey, Charles C., fl. 1830-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

Written from Camp in front of Petersburg, Virginia, "near Fort Hell." Rejoined the Army of the Potomac. Discusses travels from Camp Russell, including twenty-five hours of "severe" suffering, many of which were spent traveling through the snow in open cars: "many men froze their feet others were badly chilled." Describes General Ulysses S. Grant's warning to the rebels not to "shell" the railcars or he will begin shelling Petersburg. Mentions the location of Union and Confederate forces and their proximity to each other, saying that they are located within speaking distance of each other.

GLC03523.18.36

22 December 1864

Morey, Charles C., fl. 1830-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

Written from Camp near Petersburg, Virginia. Requests letters from home, "now that trains run into camp every evening." Reports that he is positioned in front of "Kershaw's (rebel) division," a division he has met several times before: in the valley, and at "Hannover town," near the Petersburg and Weldon Railroad. Mentions that trains carry supplies of everything "except vegetables which for some reason are not so plenty as when General Joseph Hooker was in command of the army, he, I think, fed the men better than any other commander we ever had, yet we get Plenty of bread, meat and coffee…

GLC03523.18.37

23 December 1864

Morey, Charles C., fl. 1830-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mamie

Written from camp near Petersburg, Virginia. Encloses lyrics to a song sung by "ladies when we were encamped at Strasburg..."

GLC03523.18.38

27 December 1864

Morey, Charles C., fl. 1830-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

Written on U.S. Christian Commission letterhead from camp near Petersburg. Mentions desertion of rebel men on picket including 10 officers and 250 men.

GLC03523.18.39

30 December 1864-31 December 1864

Morey, Charles C., fl. 1830-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to sister Mary

First letter is written to his sister; second letter on verso is written to his mother. Written from camp near Petersburg. On 30 December he encloses two songs, "Virginia" and "Battle at Cedar Creek." Indicates that the 6th corps badge is a "cross." Mentions that he is working on muster rolls for muster the following day. In the 31 December letter, he discusses sickness of an aunt back home. Also mentions of General Robert E. Lee's plan to attack before nightfall on the 1st.

GLC03523.18.40

8 January 1865

Morey, Charles C., fl. 1830-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

Written from Camp near Petersburg. Mentions purchase of "sheet iron stove for which I paid the little sum of $7.50." References ordnance returns. Describes feast of roast turkey and chicken for Christmas, and oysters for New Years. Reports that board costs $1.00 per day.

GLC03523.18.41

January 17, 1865

Morey, Charles C., fl. 1830-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

Written from Camp near Petersburg. Discusses capture of Fort Fisher in Wilmington, and mentions the capture of 1,000 prisoners including Colonel William Lamb and General W. H. C. Whiting. Describes influx of rebels coming into the Union lines. Includes one account from a rebel soldier who "said he had been with them six days and his ration during that time consisted of one pint of Indian meal per day no meat sugar nor coffee."

GLC03523.18.42

January 21, 1865

Morey, Charles C., fl. 1830-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

Written from Union camp near Petersburg. Describes the most severe storm of the season: "what cannot be cured must be endured so we try and pass off the time the best way we can." Mentions sister Mamie and her progress at singing school. Reports the capture of Fort Fisher, including 2,500 prisoners and 72 pieces of artillery. Also mentions failures of General Benjamin Franklin Butler and Major General Godfrey Weitzel.

GLC03523.18.43

January 25, 1865

Morey, Charles C., fl. 1830-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to father

Written to his father from a camp near Petersburg. Mentions receipt of a "family" letter from him. Says he is glad to hear his father's store is doing well. Mentions defeat of Confederate gunboats on their way to City Point to disrupt Union supply lines. Three ships were destroyed and one captured. Mentions dire need for recruits and predicts the fall of the rebellion: "rebelion seems to be tumbling fast and perhaps in one more year peace may reign and we soldiers all home an enjoying the fruit of our labors…" Reports disruption of the rebel Congress with two members already withdrawing…

GLC03523.18.44

January 27, 1865

Morey, Charles C., fl. 1830-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

Written from a camp near Petersburg. Recounts events surrounding the adventures of the mail ship "City Point" in rescuing a downed steamer at the mouth of the Potomac. Mentions his longing for peace, and discusses getting gray hair.

GLC03523.18.45

February 1, 1865

Morey, Charles C., fl. 1830-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

Written to his father from a camp near Petersburg on two sheets of paper: the first apparently written in the morning and the second sheet in the afternoon. Mentions receipt of $50 previously requested. Discusses his readiness for a six day march. Reports that Alexander H. Stevens "Vice President of the so called Southern Confederacy came within our lines yesterday."

GLC03523.18.46

7 February 1865

Morey, Charles C., fl. 1830-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to uncle

Written to his uncle James Brown. Mentions business between his father and uncle. Discusses the fighting of the 5th corps, the prospect of peace, and conditions of settlement.

GLC03523.18.47

8 February 1865

Morey, Charles C., fl. 1830-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

Describes hard fighting of the 5th corps "on the left." Reports the promotion of "several officers," which means he will not have to fight so often. Enclosures include photographs and a newspaper clipping of a poem entitled "Sheridan's Ride."

GLC03523.18.48

10 February 1865

Morey, Charles C., fl. 1830-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

Describes the extension of lines across Hatches run with fortifications. Mentions the suffering of men on line in extreme weather, especially the wounded. Relates a story of an agreement between a "Reb" and a "Yank" to meet between the pickets to cut a tree down for wood. The Reb was not satisfied with his portion so they agreed to settle it by fistfight. Both were good fighters so they divided it equally. Both sides went out to witness the sport.

GLC03523.18.49

February 12, 1865

Morey, Charles C., fl. 1830-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

Discusses the illness of his mother. Reports that he cannot expect to visit home until Spring. Describes the sounding of "tatoo" for roll call. Mentions the business of disbursing clothing and the "business" of the army regardless of the day of the week. Relays the rumor of a visit within Union lines from Rebel commissioners, and mentions hopes for peace.

GLC03523.18.50

3 March 1865

Morey, Charles C., fl. 1830-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

Written from Patricks Station, Virginia. Writes about recently being on picket in the rain, but adds that hisrubber coat kept him from suffering. Reports that they are watching the enemy closely.

GLC03523.18.51

6 March 1865

Morey, Charles C., fl. 1830-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to father

Describes completion of the muster rolls. Reports acknowledgment from his mother of his hard work. Discusses the business of camp, such as raising funds to erect a monument in honor of the 6th corps late and "lamented commander Major General John Sedgwick which is to be erected at West Point," at a cost of $10,000. Also mentions raising money for Honorable Portus Baxter and wife for services to the sick and wounded. Reports that they have spent no less than $8,000 of their own money. Sends a check for $100 and requests his father to cash it and send credit back.

GLC03523.18.52

17 March 1865

Morey, Charles C., fl. 1830-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

Describes "St. Patrick's Day in the morning." Mentions that there is a great deal of sport in camp. Reports that they are having a review by General George Gordon Meade, Major General Horatio Gouverneur Wright, and Senator Henry Wilson from Massachusetts, so he has no time to write. Letter written on preprinted letterhead: "Headquarters Second Regiment Vermont Infantry, Sixth Corps."

GLC03523.18.53

26 March 1865

Morey, Charles C., fl. 1830-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

Mentions a rebel attack the previous evening in which rebels took control of railroad but were driven back. Describes the capture of 600 soldiers, the capture of Southside railroad, and the arrival of General Philip Henry Sheridan with his cavalry force. Highlights the gallantry by members of the army including the retrieval of wounded soldiers near enemy's line, and setting fire to two story house from where the rebel sharpshooters were perched.

GLC03523.18.54

31 March 1865

Morey, Charles C., fl. 1830-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

Discusses the impending Union victory and peace. Describes General Philip H. Sheridan's campaign and reports he is under marching orders and expects to move soon. Declares that he "hope[s] and pray[s] that we may be able to strike the death blow to the rebellion," and includes a prayer for divine assistance. This was the last letter he wrote before his death.

GLC03523.18.55