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

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03523.18.19 Author/Creator: Morey, Charles C. (ca. 1830-1865) Place Written: s.l. Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 24 July 1864 Pagination: 2 p. ; 20.2 x 25.3 cm. Order a Copy

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…"

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.

Camp of the 2d Vt. Vols. July 24, 1864
Dear Parents
It is with pleasure that I can take up my pen to let you know of my welfare, it has been a long, long time since I have had an oportunity to do so. Since I wrote you last we have traveled over considerable ground and water
Two weeks last night we left the fortifications on the left of the Army and marched to City Point where we arrived a little after light on Sunday morning and during the day we shiped on a government transport and started for Washington where we arrived at six oclock o Monday P.M. and 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 [2] but this did not drive him away, Well that night the rebels left and the next day we followed after them came up with their rear-guard at Poolsville M.D. but after a little skirmish they fled across the river, the next day. we laid quiet and the 8th Vt. Regt came up and I called on Capt Meade, the next day we crossed the Potomac at Whites ford and followed the enemy across the Shenandoah river then returned to this place yesterday. We have had no chance to send out mail on this short campaign but today it came in and brought a letter from yourself dated July 11th. I should enjoy a visit home very much but cannot come just yet the Johnnies are not quite whipped to death yet. In todays mail came a commission to one Charles C. Morey making him 1st Lt. of Co. "C", of this Regt. Do you know any such man as that? You see by this I have not delayed informing you of my good fortune I did not send for my coat and do not want it at present But must close Please write soon and remember your son in the army. C. C. Morey

[written upside-down at top of second page]
we have been paid today, do not think I can send home much this time as I have to start [myself]. I do not know where we are going to but think we may go back to Petersburg Please give my love to all and write soon to your son in the army
Charles C. Morey
1st Lt. Co. "C", 2d Vt. Vols.

Morey, Charles Carroll, d. 1865
Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

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