The following letters were written by Charles Carroll Morey (1840-1865) of Royalton, Vermont, who entered the service on 20 June 1861 as a corporal in Co. E, 2nd Vermont Infantry, was promoted to sergeant in February 1862, and was commissioned the Captain of Co. C on 11 July 1864. He was wounded on 21 August 1864 at Charles Town, West Virginia, but was with his company on 2 April 1865 when he was killed in the final battle at Petersburg on 2 April 1865.

Charles was the son of Reuben Morey, Jr. (1809-1868) and Mary Louise Blasdel (1813-1847). After Reuben’s first wife died in 1847, he married Rosetta Morse Brown (1817-1877). Reuben was a merchant in Royalton, Windsor county, Vermont.

Letter 1

April 14th 1864

Dear Mother,

Your kind and welcome letter of the 7th inst., came to hand when due and was read with much interest for in it I found what trials and difficulties you encountered in getting a stopping place. I cannot understand why the old gentleman you speak of was so unwilling to have the house vacated after he had sold it so fairly but I suppose he had some motive in view, I do not think I know precisely where you have bought now. Would like to have you in your next lead me along the street from Mr. Kendricks’ to your house which is on Seminary Hill, I think.

When I got to the bottom of the first page, the team drove up with a load of wood and I was called out to divide it out to the company. The I chopped up a small log for myself, after doing which I came in, sat down, and enjoyed a little smoke. Now I take my pen again to finish this.

Have been in command of the company for three days. Day before yesterday the brigade was reviewed by Gen’l Getty, our division commander. He remarked that it reminded him of the time when he had command of regular troops. Should you not consider this a compliment? Yesterday we had a brigade drill and today we went out to have a little target practice and it is expected that Lieut. Gen. Grant will review the corps tomorrow and inspect our camps. I wish you could see the corps paraded all ready for review. It is such a grand sight then to see them break into column and march around all having the same step and keeping just company distance which duty devolves upon the right guide which is the 1st Sergeant.

We are having fine weather now but the winds are cold. Yet far the mountains are covered with snow and the streams are high. For three days we had no mail in consequence of the bridges across the Bull Run and Rappahannock rivers but there are rebuilt now and the mail comes regularly which I hope it will continue to do so long as we stay in camp.

Did you receive my receipt for my town bounty? And also my order or receipt for the $125 State commutation money and if so, have you received the money? You say you will write soon and answer all my questions. Please do not fail to do so and let me [know] all the turns you are obliged to make, and please tell father he need not hesitate to use my money in his business for I intend to make that my business if I ever return to the quiet life I have left at my country’s call. Please do not keep me in suspense long in regard to my town bounty and state commutation money.

But I think I had better close this uninteresting letter and ask you to excuse me for troubling you this much. How do you like your new home and house? Please write me a long letter telling e all about it. Please remember me kindly to Uncle James. Tell him I should like to hear from him. Remember me kindly to all the family and all enquiring friends. Please write me soon and accept a great deal of love from your son in the army. — C. C. Morey

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Letter 2

Near Petersburg, Va.
February 4th 1865

My dear Sister Mamie,

Now that I am relieved from Brigade guard, will try and answer your part of the family letter and one received since. I was very much pleased at receiving such a letter from home as you may suppose but it did not take me a very long time to ascertain the contents of so well filled envelope full of valuable letters from y dearly beloved parents, sisters, and uncle. By the way, please tell Uncle James that I intend to answer his kind letter before many days shall have passed.

I have had a great deal of duty to perform of late and can scarcely get time to write letters; have been on duty every other day for twelve days before yesterday and the day before then to cap the whole was on detail those two days in succession. Don’t you think I have done my duty pretty well considering?

The last letter I hacve received was yours of the 25th ult. Do not know why I have received no more. I suppose, however, that it is because they have not been sent. As you say, it takes our letters a very long time to go from here to Washington. This letterwill probably leave our camp tonight and City Point tomorrow morning will be on the boat from 30 to 35 hours. The will remain in the post office at Washington D. C. at least 24 hours more before it is mailed. This will account for the delay, I think.

Doubtless ere this you have (some of you) received letters from me saying something about orders to march. if so, rest easy for the prospect of a move has all passed and we are now as quiet as ever. What caused the order is that two rebel divisions were seen marching toward our left and we wished to be in readiness to meet them in case they should make a demonstration but they have been seen to return to their old encampments so there is no prospect of an attack at present on either side.

The weather is today very spring like and we are sitting in our tent with the door open. The photograph enclosed with my last letter was one that Lieut. Prouty gave me and i intend to ask you to put it with the others I have at home and I have some more to send which I wish you would place with the others until I come home or give you some further instructions in regard to them. I have received but one letter from Williamsburg friends since my last visit there. Cannot imagine the reason why they do not write. Have written to them two or three times. Hope they are all well and enjoying life as well as usual. I suppose they are anticipating much when the spring comes and they leave the city for our quiet little home in the little town of West Lebanon in the little state of New Hampshire.

Shurb Adams, a sergeant in Co. E, has just received a furlough for twenty days and will visit you before he returns. I have also sent by him a large book which perhaps you may [be] interested. Please keep it for me until I return home. I suppose you are still enjoying life as well as ever and attending those sociables and singing schools and all such pleasant gatherings. Would like to just step into our house just after dark and then go with you to some gathering in the village. Wouldn’t some folks stare and ask, “Who is that soldier that came with Misses Morey?”

We have no news in particular to write except that it has become a settled fact that commissioners from Richmond, Va., have gone to Washington to confer with the President on the subject of that great question Peace or No Peace. Hope they may conclude that we had better have peace instead of prolonged war.

I think of nothing more to write at present; therefore, will close. Please remember me kindly to all the family and our friends in West Lebanon and write as often as convenient. I have not solved the enigmas you sent me yet. Accept much love from your brother in the Army of the Potomac. Please direct all letters to Co. C, 2nd Regiment Vermont Vols.

— Charles C. Morey, 1st Lieutenant

To Muss Mary E. Morey, west Lebanon, New Hampshire