Charles Fessenden Morse facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Charles Fessenden Morse
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Photo and signature of Charles Fessenden Morse
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| Born | September 22, 1839 Boston, Massachusetts |
| Died | December 11, 1926 (aged 87) |
| Buried |
Oak Grove Cemetery, Falmouth, Massachusetts
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| Allegiance |  United States of AmericaUnion |
| Service/ |
 Union Army |
| Years of service | 1861 – 1865 |
| Rank |  Lieutenant Colonel |
| Commands held |  2nd Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry |
| Battles/wars | Battle of Gettysburg |
| Other work | Letters written during the Civil War, 1861-1865 |
Charles Fessenden Morse (born September 22, 1839 – died December 11, 1926) was an important American soldier and leader. He fought as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Union Army during the American Civil War. After the war, he became a successful businessman and helped build the city of Kansas City, Missouri.
Contents
Early Life
Charles Morse was born in Boston, Massachusetts. He grew up in this historic city. He went to Harvard University, a famous school. In 1858, he earned a degree in science.
A Hero in the Civil War
When the Civil War began in 1861, Charles Morse joined the 2nd Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry. He fought alongside some of his friends from Harvard. One of his close friends was Robert Gould Shaw. Shaw later became a colonel of the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment. Charles and Robert wrote letters to each other almost every day. This continued until Robert Shaw died in the Second Battle of Fort Wagner in July 1863.
Fighting for the Union
Morse was promoted to captain of his regiment's Company B. He fought in several major battles. These included the Battle of Cedar Mountain, Battle of Antietam, and Battle of Chancellorsville. These were all very important battles in the war.
A Leader at Gettysburg
After the famous Battle of Gettysburg, Charles Morse was promoted again. He became a lieutenant colonel of the 2nd Massachusetts regiment. He held this important rank until the war ended. During the Atlanta Campaign in 1864, he served under Union General William Tecumseh Sherman. After the city of Atlanta was captured, Morse was in charge of keeping order there. People said he did a great job.
Life After the War
After the Civil War, Morse tried farming cotton in Georgia. But this business was not successful for him.
From Farming to Railroads
In 1870, Charles Morse moved west. He found much more success working with railroads. He worked for the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway. In 1878, a friend suggested he move to Kansas City. There, he became a general manager. He eventually became president of the Kansas City Stockyards. These were huge places where livestock (like cows and pigs) were bought and sold.
Building Kansas City
Morse also served as president of the Kansas City Metropolitan Street Railway company. This company helped people travel around the city. He was one of the first people to live in Hyde Park. This was a special neighborhood built outside the city in 1882.
In the 1880s and 1890s, Charles Morse helped start important places in Kansas City. These included The Barstow School and the Kansas City Country Club. In 1913, he retired to his summer home in Falmouth, Massachusetts.
