1861-1865

Morey, Charles C., fl. 1830-1865

Header Record

Title: [Collection of Charles C. Morey, E company, 2nd regiment, Vermont, infantry] [Decimalized .01-.63]

Consists of letters written from Morey to members of his family while enrolled as a member of the Second Regiment Vermont Volunteer Infantry. The Second was organized at Burlington, and was mustered into the United States service on 20 June 1861. It was the first three-year's regiment raised in Vermont. The letters begin in August of 1861 and span almost the entirety of the war ending on 26 March 1865, shortly before his death. Most of the letters are written to his mother and sister Mamie. Some letters are written to other family and friends. Collection includes 60 letters, 9 envelopes,…

GLC03523.18

1861

Morey, Charles C., fl. 1830-1865

Diary

Title: [Diary of Sergeant in 2nd Vermont Vols.]

Mentions first Bull Run.

GLC01921.01

1862

Morey, Charles C., fl. 1830-1865

Diary

Title: [Diary of Sergeant in 2nd Vermont Vols.]

Mentions McClellan, Fair Oaks, Lincoln visit.

GLC01921.02

1863

Morey, Charles C., fl. 1830-1865

Diary

Title: [Diary of Sergeant in 2nd Vermont Vols.]

Gettysburg, service in Virginia. Mentions coming late to Gettysburg, hard fighting there in Hancock's brigade and rumored loss of Confederate General Longstreet.

GLC01921.03

1864

Morey, Charles C., fl. 1830-1865

Diary

Title: [Diary of Sergeant in 2nd Vermont Vols.]

Service in Virginia. Approximately 190 pages.

GLC01921.04

1865

Morey, Charles C., fl. 1830-1865

Diary

Title: [Diary of Sergeant in 2nd Vermont Vols.]

Autograph manuscript signed. About Petersburg.

GLC01921.05

24 July 1864

Morey, Charles C., fl. 1830-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to parents

Describes traveling from City Point, Virginia to Fort Stevens, and mentions an event involving President Lincoln. Discusses his promotion to 1st Lieutenant of Company 'C.' "…[we] marched through the city to Fort Stevens in front of which we found the rebels in force but our brigade was not engaged with them, the 3d Brigade came up the next day and had quite a little fight, President Lincoln and wife and several other distinguished persons were out to see the fight. A surgeon standing beside Mr. Lincoln and conversing with him was wounded in the leg but this did not drive him away…"

GLC03523.18.19

2 November 1864-6 November 1864

Morey, Charles C., fl. 1830-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

Two letters. First letter apologizes for delay in communication as a result of the Battle of Cedar Creek. In his second letter he mentions that he received orders from General Ulysses S.Grant to be ready for an attack from "Mr. [Jubal] Early." Is working on muster and pay rolls every night until 11:00, and reports that he sent rolls to Washington, D.C. Mentions picket duty near a grist mill and his relationship with the mill's owners. References poor treatment of Union soldiers in Southern camps, and tells story of a Seargeant Freelove who was captured and taken prisoner by the Confederates…

GLC03523.18.30

5 July 1864

Morey, Charles C., fl. 1830-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

Mentions his work on muster rolls. Discusses general operations, including the landing of 19th army corps at City Point, Virginia and reinforcements from the 13th corps. Prays for the end of the rebellion, mentions inconsistency of mail, and inquires about father's store.

GLC03523.18.17

8 July 1864

Morey, Charles C., fl. 1830-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to parents

Discusses George B. McClellan's oration at West Point. Describes Edwin M. Stanton's lack of respect towards McClellan, and Lincoln's efforts to "allow it to be so." Recounts fighting and near death experience during the Battle of Spotsylvania Courthouse on 12 May. Also mentions receipt of the newspaper "The Independent."

GLC03523.18.18

1 August 1864

Morey, Charles C., fl. 1830-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to parents

Reports on a delay in getting mail, and mentions marching in extreme heat: "I never saw so many men sun stroke in any one during all my service... I hear there were 7 men of the 11th regiment died in consequence of hard marching and the excessive heat..." Writes of rumors of the fall of Petersburg, Virginia. Includes reports of rebels in Pennsylvania, and the burning of Chambersburg, which forced 3000 inhabitants out into the world without "house or home."

GLC03523.18.20

4 August 1864

Morey, Charles C., fl. 1830-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to parents

Reports on his first day of service as 1st Lieutenant of Company "C" of the 2nd Regiment of Vermont Infantry. Encamped near Brickeystown, Maryland. Mentions Captain [Nathaniel] Wales' injury during the Battle of the Wilderness. Discusses a delay in receiving mail. Comments on sister's abstinancy during a time of sickness. Describes rebel pillaging of local flouring mill: "...near here is quite an extensive flouring mill and the owner says that the rebels took about $18.00 worth of flour, wheat and other property from him but he says he is willing to lose it all if we can only accomplish our…

GLC03523.18.21

14 August 1864

Morey, Charles C., fl. 1830-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to parents

Written from camp near Cedar Creek. Reports that extreme heat is causing deaths on marches, and that springs and brooks are dry. Prays for General Ulysses S. Grant's success in his campaign against Richmond, Virginia: "I want this war to close as soon as possible so we can live again in peace and quiet." Writes of the hanging of a rebel spy: "...I hear from one of our men who has been over there that the first Division men have hung a man to day, he was a rebel spy…" Ponders who to vote for in the upcoming presidential election.

GLC03523.18.22

20 August 1864

Morey, Charles C., fl. 1830-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to parents

Written from camp near Charlestown, Virginia. Discusses John Brown and treason. Expresses concern over mother's health and father's business affairs. Discusses the burning of resources during a recent retreat. Describes citizen guerrillas and their techniques, and mentions the work of the Christian Commission: "…We have retreated from our position near Strausburg and are now encamped near Charlestown where old John Brown was hung for treason and where Jeff Davis and his confederates ought to hang for their deeds of treason…"

GLC03523.18.23

25 August 1864

Morey, Charles C., fl. 1830-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to parents

References battle of Charlestown, Virginia. Provides full account of being shot in the leg by "Johnnie Rebs." Describes the circumstances surrounding the shooting and deaths of other members of the Union army. Provides a description of the hospital and hospital rooms in which he was staying.

GLC03523.18.24

1 September 1864

Morey, Charles C., fl. 1830-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

Discusses the nomination of George McClellan. Denounces the Copperheads and comments on the peace platform.

GLC03523.18.25

26 September 1864

Morey, Charles C., fl. 1830-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

Discusses his furlough home, his travels to New York to visit with family, and his stop in Brooklyn to hear "Mr. [Henry Ward] Beecher preach." Mentions that over 3,000 people came to hear Mr. Beecher preach. Comments on the importance of church, the value of gold, and the purchase price of a sword in New York.

GLC03523.18.26

29 September 1864

Morey, Charles C., fl. 1830-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to sister Mamie

Mentions his return to the hospital and his trip to New York, including seeing "Mr. Beecher" [Henry Ward Beecher] preach.

GLC03523.18.27

17 October 1864-20 October 1864

Morey, Charles C., fl. 1830-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

Mentions recent victories and discusses General James Longstreet's command of the enemy at Fisher's Hill. Talks of a trip to rejoin his regiment after injury. Also includes reference to the fight at Middletown, and General Philip H. Sheridan's victory, with 5,000 prisoners captured. Written from camp near Middleton, Virginia.

GLC03523.18.28

22 October 1864

Morey, Charles C., fl. 1830-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to friends at home

Recounts battles occurring on 19 October, most likely the Battle of Cedar Creek. Mentions General Philip Sheridan's influence on the morale of troops and Horatio Gouverneur Wright's inability to command. Recounts retreat of rebels: "...they broke and run like a flock of sheep with dogs after them." Discusses the dispersal of General Jubal Early's army, and mentions scar on scabbard and hole in hat received during battle.

GLC03523.18.29

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