Morey, Charles C. (ca. 1830-1865) to Sister Mamie
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03523.18.03 Author/Creator: Morey, Charles C. (ca. 1830-1865) Place Written: Belle Plain Landing, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 12 January 1863 Pagination: 4 p. ; 20.2 x 25.3 cm. Order a Copy
Provides an illustration and description of Union and Confederate battle formations including skirmish lines, lines of battle for infantry, batteries, and reserves. Mentions his promotion to orderly sergeant, and details the duties associated with this job. Describes his camp at Belle Plain Landing in Virginia, where this letter was written.
Charles C. Morey enlisted as a Corporal on 22 April 1861 (mustered into E Company on 20 June 1861), and was promoted to Full Sergeant on 10 February 1862. The following December he was promoted to Full Sergeant 1st Class and on 31 January 1864 reenlisted in the Union Army. He was promoted twice during 1864, first to Full Lieutenant 1st Class (20 June) and then to Full Captain (24 June 24-effective 31 January 1865). He was wounded in battle at Charles Town, West Virginia (21 August 1864), and killed at Petersburg, Virginia on 2 April 1865.
January 12th 1863.
Dear Sister
Having forgoten to put the letter I wrote you yesterday in office will now write a few more lines. The weather to day is pleasant and warm, and this forenoon I have been getting a little wood to keep fire with and now as you perceive am writing to you far away and in a happy home, think of your brother living on the "sacred soil" of old Virginia near the mouth of Potomac creek and at Belle Plain Landing. On the 28th Ult. I was promoted to Orderly-Sergeant and now have considerable business to do as there are large details from each company each day for fatigue and guard duty, for instance, To day I detailed 19 men and [2] Two Corporals for fatigue and 3 men and one Corporal for guard making in all 22 men and 3 noncommissioned offices on duty to day. I have to be very careful in making out these details to use no partiality what ever each man must have his just due, everything is done according to millitary tactics.
I think you asked me if a sergeant was a commissioned officer? he is not, he receives a warrant from the commanding officer of the regiment but he has the power of taking it from him any time he sees fit to do so. Not so with a commissioned officer he receives his papers from the governor of his state, hence Sergeants and Corporals are called noncommissioned officers. I think of nothing to write just now [continues in the top margin of page 2, written upside-down] I will try and give you some idea of how men are placed when in order of battle on this next half sheet of paper.
C.C.M.
[3] [Includes a sketch of soldiers on a battlefield, accompanied by the following text]
skirmishers
skirmishers supports skirmishers supports
______ Line-of Battle. laying down. Infantry.______
Batteries Batteries Batteries
Line-of-Battle supporting the batteries Infantry__
Rear Line-of battle composed of Infantry______________________________
__ U.S.A. _______
Reserves Reserves
[Continues diagram upside-down on top of the above diagram, representing soldiers facing the U.S.A. soldiers on a battlefield]
skirmishers
skirmishers support
Line-of Battle composed of Infantry lying down ________
Battery
Battery Battery
Line-of-Battle supporting the batteries Infantry_______
Rear Line-of Battle Infantry_________________________________
C.S.A.
Reserves _________ Reserves
[4] The little dots represent the men in the skirmish line and the lines-of-battle are composed of Infantry, the ground is supposed to be undulating so the skirmishers and all the men in front of the batteries are out of range of our own batteries, the artillery is posted on the highest ground and the Infantry occupying the lowest. Severe fighting does not often last at any one point for a great length of time but is severe for a few minutes then subsides a short time until the forces get a little rested then go at it again. But I guess I have written enough. There is the drum calling the ordiles to the adjutants to receive orders and I have got to furnish 11 men and a[struck: s] sergeant for fatigue and 3 men and a sergeant for guard. So good night for this time. Write soon Charlie
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