Morey, Charles C. (ca. 1830-1865) to parents

June [strikeout] 7th, 1864
Dear Parents
It is with pleasure that I seat myself once more to write you few lines to let you know that I am still well and trying to do my duty being supported by the powerful hand of Him who rules in battle as well as in peace. Your very kind and welcome letter of the 26th Ult. was received in due time and read with you do not know how much pleasure? You cannot imagine how much strength resolution your letters give me the only fault I can find is that they are to few in number, but I suppose you write as often as you can. O! Mother how it does cheer my heart to hear from you for you are the only one who seems to feel the deep sympathy so necessary to the soldiers feelings. I am very glad you seem to be so well satisfied with your new home. I think from your description I could be happy there if there was no war to call me [2] into the field but as it is the war must be settled then I will come home and try to be content with a quiet citizens life. To day [struck: is] the Baltimore convention is to be held and who do you suppose will be nominated as candidate for the next Presidency? When you know please send me a paper that I may know, we get no papers except what come by mail. I am told that the reputation of the Vermonters never stood so high as now is this so? Since we crossed the Pamunkey river we have been under fire almost every day and some of the time at close range. Yesterday we were in the front where we had been for two days and at noon were relieved and alowed to come to the rear and rest, I have up my tent and am quite comfortable just now but do not know how long it will last.
We are situated neat Coal Harbor about 2 miles from the Chickahominy river and have set down to beseige the enemy in his strong position we are working on Gen. McClellan's style and tactics precisely and on the same plan only we are farther from [3] Richmond then he was still it is my hope and prayer that Genl Grant may be successful in his operations for it he is I believe it will virtually end the war. Yes Mother I would like to sit down with you and relate my experiences with my own lips for I cannot write it therefore will not try. On the morning of May 6th we were in the front in the wilderness and had held it for quite a while, we were nearly out of ammunition an the 3rd regiment being behind us they came up and took our place and we retired about 10 rods and [struck: lyed] lay, down just at this time Capt Bixby was shot with a Minnie ball in the back of the head he was carried from the field and to a hospital in the 2nd corps where he died that night, he could not talk but seemed to have his senses, this is all I know about him. Wm H Sanborn was badly wounded the 5th and died in one of our own hospitals. Gen W. [Dunnell] was killed on the field. F. P. Ellsworth the same and Wm M. Noyes the same, C. F. Sanborn is missing [4] On the 12th inst Gen. H. [Noys] was instantly killed and John E. Foster the same E Goodwin and Wm [Clark] also instantly. D. W. Cushman was wounded and died on the field before night. E. H. Smith has been missing since then. I have not time to write much more, Please excuse all mistakes. Have you received any photographs from me since we left our camp. Please send me the hat I wrote for in my last as soon as possible the size is 7. Please say to the girls they are not forgotten but cannot write to them just now. Please remember me very kindly to Father and the girls also all inquiring friends, should to hear from you all but cannot promise to write to all.
Enclosed I send photographs the names of them you will find on them please put them with the rest of them I have sent. Write soon and accept a great deal of love from your son the army.
C.C.Morey