Charles E. Morse
| Charles E. Morse | |
|---|---|
| Born |
May 5, 1841 Marseilles, France |
| Died | August 31, 1920 (aged 79) Bath, New York |
| Place of burial | Bath National Cemetery, Bath, New York |
| Allegiance |
United States of America Union |
| Service/branch |
United States Army Union Army |
| Years of service | 1861 - 1864 |
| Rank | Sergeant |
| Unit | 62nd New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
| Awards | Medal of Honor |
Charles E. Morse (May 5, 1841 – August 31, 1920) was an American Civil War soldier who received the Medal of Honor for his actions during The Battle of the Wilderness in that war.
Born in Marseilles, France, Morse was a sergeant in Company "I" of the 62nd New York State Volunteers (Anderson Zouaves) and was awarded his Medal of Honor on January 14, 1890, for gallantry at the Battle of the Wilderness, Virginia, on May 5, 1864.
Morse enlisted as a private in the Union Army on June 24, 1861 at New York City, and was mustered into Company "I" of the Anderson Zouaves Infantry Regiment (later the 62nd N. Y. S. V.) on June 30, 1861. He was promoted to corporal around the time that the regiment left New York for Washington on August 21, 1861 and was promoted sergeant on September 20.
Morse died at the age of 79 on August 31, 1920 in Bath, New York and he is buried at Bath National Cemetery. His grave can be found in section J, Row 24, Grave 4.
At the battle of Fair Oaks, May 31, 1862, Morse was wounded in the hand. On May 4, 1863 he was taken prisoner at the battle of Salem Church. He was exchanged and at the time of the Battle of the Wilderness, May 5, 1864, was in command of his company, which numbered only 15, there being no commissioned officers left.
On the day of the Battle of the Wilderness, Sgt. Morse, together with his company, held a position on the left center of the regiment next to the color guard. The action took place on the Orange Plank Road, west of its intersection with Brock Road, the 62nd regiment had been ordered to advance and charge the enemy. The enemy was forced back to its first line of defense and being given no time to rally was forced back to its second line. Here it made a stand and, by desperate fighting, prevented the 62nd New York's further advance.
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