Our Collection

At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

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

High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.

Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03523.18.40 Author/Creator: Morey, Charles C. (ca. 1830-1865) Place Written: Petersburg, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 30 December 1864 - 31 December 1864 Pagination: 1 p. ; 20.2 x 25.3 cm. Order a Copy

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.

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.

Morey, Charles Carroll, d. 1865
Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources