JEFFERSON COUNTY NEW YORK
CIVIL WAR SOLDIERS' BIOGRAPHIES
Charles M. Morrison
Union Soldier - Distinguished Service
CHAS. M. MORRISON, WAR VETERAN DIES - HAD BEEN IN FAILING HEALTH SOME TIME
CONFINED IN ANDERSONVILLE PRISON
Was Veteran of 94th Regiment and Was Wounded at Battle of Antietam--Prominent in Pythian Circles.
Charles M. Morrison, a veteran of the Civil War died at 8 this morning in the family home. 1035, Bronson Street, following a long illness . Charles M. Morrison was about 65 years of age and was a lifelong resident of thi s city. He attended the old Larmon Street school when a boy and later accepted a position as clerk in a store He was working in the store at the time of the Civil war and when the 94th New York regiment was organized at Sackets Harbor, he was one of the first to enlist. He made the march with his regiment from Sackets Harbor to this city on the night of March 18, 1862, and served in many of the earlier battles of the war.
In the battle of Antietam he was wounded badly and was in one of the regimental hospitals for many months. Later he was captured by the Confederates and was kept for many months In the Libby prison, and was later transferred to Andersonville, which was nothing more than a picketted enclosure. So clearly did the awful scenes in this prison impress themselves upon him that many years after the war he made a rough drawing of the prison, portraying the gallows in one corner and the quarters in which the Union soldiers were kept. Before the end of the war, he was transferred with a number of others to the Libby prison, where he was still incarcerated at the end of the war.
Mr. Morrison returned to this city at the end of the war and had lived here since that time. For many years he was employed as a machinist by the Bagley & Sewall Co. He had been in failing health for some time, having suffered many shocks. Last spring his health was too poor to admit his attending the 50th anniversary reunion of the Watertown survivors of the 94th held at the home of Charles H.Sprague in upper State street. He was also unable to attend the celebration at Gettysburg on account of poor health. His condition this summer was such however, that he was able to go out at times, but he was very feeble. Last Friday night he suffered a final shock and his condition had been very critical since that time. Mon. morning the family physician despaired of his recovery and it was announced at that time that he had but few hours to live. Death was due to a general breakdown of the system.
Mr . Morrison had taken a prominent part in the politics of his ward for many years. He was a staunch Republican and was one of the leaders.
Although he never held off i ce himself, he was at one time a member of the county committee. During the time that Charles O. Roberts of Philadelphia was assemblyman from this district he held a position as messenger to the assembly for two winters. For many years he was a power in the politics of his ward.
Mr. Morrison was a member of the G.A.R. and attended all of the meetings of the post until his health became such that he had to remain home much of the time. Mr. Morrison was a charter member of Watertown Lodge. No 222 K. of P., and had held all of the offices in that lodge. He was also a charter member of Al HakemTemple, D.O.K.K.. and had been prominent in this body's activities for many years. Recently the members of the Watertown lodge gathered at his home and presented him with a beautiful cane as a token of their respect. Mr. Morrison was provided with a fund of good stories by his war career and he was ready at all times to entertain his friends wirh them He was a companionable man and was held in high respect by all who knew him.
Mr. Morrison was a brother of Fire Chief Fred Morrison, who is in a critical condition at the family home in Factory Street.
He leaves one son, Chester, and the following daughters: Mrs .Frank R Shaver, Mrs. Belle Draper, Mrs W. D. Moran, Miss Kate Morrison, and Mrs. I. F. Atwood, all of this city. He also leaves two brothers, Fred and Frank Morrison, also both of this city .
No arrangements have been made for the funeral as yet. It is believed that the members of the G.A .R . will attend the funeral services in a body, as wel l the members of the Knights of Pythias.
Sources:
Newspaper - Watertown Daily Times - Tuesday, September 9, 1913