2015.002.108b
Letter written by Lucy H. Morse, to her husband William H. Morse of Company C, 3rd MI Infantry. She recently received a letter from her husband, which is the first she has heard from him in three weeks since the battle of 1st Bull Run. Lucy had feared that her husband was dead, and writes of the Confederates that she wishes she could help “pick out their traitor hearts.” Lucy updates her husband on several of their family members and friends, and asks his advice on some family matters. She writes that their child is growing strong, and is big for his age.
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August 7th 1861
Dear Husband as Curtis
is writing I will write a few lines to you to let you know that we are well Uncle recieved your letter last night and never was a letter recieved with more joy than yours. it has been three weeks to day since I recieved a letter from you and you may be assured that a letter has been auspiciously looked for since the Battle I wrote to you sunday but this may not be unexceptable Dear Will you do not cannot know how thankful I am that you are safe I was almost cresy [crazy] before I head from you for fear that you had shared the fate of many a brave soldier Oh; it seems cruel that so much blood must be shed
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but I hope the rebels will get all the fun they want before they get through with it I wish I could help you pick out thier traitor hearts they are worse than the unscivilised savage I read an account in the paper of one of our Boys finding one of the enemy in a fainting condition he took and laid him in the shade and gave him a drink out of his own canteen when he revived he arose and deliberately shot his benefactor what a wretch he must have been I think he must have been born without any heart Will Jim think I had better keep house and have Father come and live with me this winter I recieved a letter from Sandusky last week Aunt Amy sent my letter out to York State and Uncle Charles sent Father five dollars and
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said that Fathers land could be sold for a hundred dollars and if Father wished he would sell it and get the mony and send to him. Dear Will write and tell me what to do. I mean to have Father let Uncle Charls sell his land he might Just as well have it as to let it lay doing nobody any good with the mony Uncle sent Father I am going to get him a pair of boots and some shirts. Oh; Will I wish you could be at home now it seems so odd to have to plan for myself but you must write what you think is best for me to do if I keep house I can make Father Comfortable and I think I shall be hapier my self for I cannot come here to board if I drew any thing from the state
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and there is no one else I want to board with but I think will do as you tell me write as soon as you get this and advise me what to do for if I keep house I shall have to make diferent arangements Will our little Curly head is well and grows every day he is real large of his age every body thinks he is so pretty and forward he is petted by every one who sees him he runs away over to the tavern every time he can get a chance we have to watch him all the time I can not think of any more to write this time so I will bring my letter to a close by bidding you good by
Forever, Thine, Lucy
Curt has not had time to write yet so I shant wait for him you must writ as often as you can Curt will write just as soon as he can no more this time Good By
Luc Morse
William H. Morse, age 24, enlisted with Company C of the 3rd MI Infantry at Grand Rapids, MI on June 10, 1861. He was wounded by a gunshot to the knee at the Battle of Fair Oaks, VA on May 31, 1862. The regiment lost 30 men killed, 124 wounded, and 1 missing. He was sent to a hospital in Philadelphia, PA, but later died there on August 8, 1862.
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