Robeson-Sampson-Cumberland County NcArchives Military Records.....Morrisey, Samuel Bunting September 18, 1863 Civilwar - Letters 51st North Carolina Troops ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/nc/ncfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Tim Bradshaw timbradsjr@yahoo.com November 24, 2010, 8:36 pm Letter Concerning Hospitals And NC Troops In Charleston, SC The following is a letter written my Samuel B. Morrisey, Surgeon of the 51st North Carolina Troops and Senior Surgeon of Clingman's Brigade. Morrisey was born in Sampson County, North Carolina. He served with the 51st Regt. from his commission on May 1, 1862 and served till the end when paroled at Greensboro, North Carolina on May 1, 1865 Sullivan's Island Sept. 18, 1863 Editors Observer & W Journal Gentlemen, For the information of my friends in NC permit me through your columns to publish a communication in explanation of letter written by me to Dr. Warren S.G. of the state relative to the condition of the NC Troops on Sullivan's Island. I am satisfied an honest effort on my part to render their conditions more comfortable has been misconceived. I did not keep a copy of the letter, as I had no idea it would be published and create the feeling it has. I stated in the letter the Hospitals in Charleston were unwilling to receive the sick from this Island why did I so state It was from information I received at Genl Clingman's Hd. Four days previous to writing the letter. Capt. White, his Asst. Adj. Genl stated that Dr. Sally who is Surgeon of the 20th Regt S.C.V. informed him that it had been the previous practice in the 2nd Sub Division to furlough men instead of sending them to the hospitals in Charleston, and that the hospitals had requested him in case his men were sick enough to send to Hospital to furlough and send them home. I have since seen Dr. Sally, who informed me he had received such a request and in compliance with it had furloughed a large number of his men. I know about that time the Hospitals were crowded with wounded from Morris Island and that might have been their reason for wishing men furloughed. It is due to Dr. Sally to state that he received no written order but the impression made on him was they wished the men furloughed. The same impression was made on me and as Sen Surgeon of the Brigade here felt it my duty to make some arrangements for the sick taking it for granted if they were unwilling to crowd the Hospitals, kept I suppose for the wounded, with S.C. Troops they would be equally unwilling to do the same thing with N.C. Troops. Hence it was I addressed Dr. Warren a letter thinking we would take some steps towards establishing a Hospital here. I knew very well the hospitals were crowded and a few days requested in my letter they established what was known as the First N.C. Hospital. I also knew hospitals had been established in Va. and I would see no reason whey one could not be gotten up in S.C. I stated in the letter Genl Clingman objected to men being furloughed. I have repeatedly had conversations with him and his reaction has always been that men in a majority of cases would recover as soon if not sooner in camp than at home. He has not only expressed himself so to me but to officers in the Brigade. If Genl Clingman had consulted me about the matter his letter published in the State Journal 15th August would have been unnecessary. I hope I have shown to my friends in NC the intention of my letter was good and not for the purpose of arranging NC against SC as has been stated. The time I have been in service contradicts any such charge and I wish to say that I will permit no man, I care not who he be, to charge me with making false statements and that I will defend my character at all hazards. Signed S.B. Morrisey Additional Comments: This letter was written to follow up on a statement that was made by a surgeon [Dr. S.B. Morrisey]and published in newspapers about the lack of support for taking care of North Carolina Troops who were stationed in Charleston, SC. The letter to the editor here to the Observer & W[ilmington] Journal is self explanitory. Attached is a photo of that orginal newspaper report. His compiled military service record -- Surgeon S.B. Morrisey was born in Sampson County and was by occupation a physician prior to enlisting in Robeson County at age 32. Appointed Surgeon on July 11, 1862. to rank from May 1, 1862. Present or accounted for throught February, 1865. Paroled at Greensboro on May 1, 1865. Photo: http://www.usgwarchives.net/nc/robeson/photos/military/civilwar/letters/morrisey666gmt.jpg File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/nc/robeson/military/civilwar/letters/morrisey666gmt.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/ncfiles/ File size: 5.0 Kb