A Jolly-Hearted Teenaged Prankster with a Roguish Grin and an Explosive Laugh

Fred Morse did not fit the mold of the burly backwoodsmen who formed the nucleus of the 12th New Hampshire Infantry, all known as the New Hampshire Mountaineers. Fred, 17 years old and slightly built, was fond of fun, frolic and mirth. Here's his story.
"Life on the Civil War Research Trail" is hosted by Ronald S. Coddington, Editor and Publisher of Military Images magazine. Learn more about our mission to showcase, interpret and preserve Civil War portrait photography at militaryimagesmagazine.com and shopmilitaryimages.com.
This episode is brought to you in part by image collector H Shindle: 757-506-9622 or [e-mail]
Image: Ronald S. Coddington Collection
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[@mattlevault5140]

You make it like we're there. I love that. Great story. At 65 I should be so lucky as to have a similar one. Alas...

[@robertlee8474]

Very good story. Thank you!

[@josephsmith8781]

I’ve become a fan of your work Ron. You treat both sides with the respect they deserve.
I’ve enjoyed learning more about the war because of your obvious concern for the truth mixed with deep concern and care for the combatants.
I weep for the enormity of our loss.
May God bless them everyone.

[@josephsmith8781]

Did the young man loose his sight in one eye?

[@happychildhood591]

Thank you Ron! I enjoy these personal stories!

[@curtgomes]

Another good anecdotal story…. Thank You

[@paulgerd1851]

What a "jolly", happy, story. Fred must have been a great morale booster around camp too.

[@wazzup948]

I have Asa Bartlett’s Bible he carried throughout the war. He wrote down all the places the 12th served in. Also have the history you quoted from. Good installment today. Thanks

[@lifeonthecivilwarresearchtrail]

We owe Asa Bartlett a debt of gratitude for his fine regimental history.

[@oldgeezerproductions]

War certainly has the effect of spoiling the fun of even the most optimistic and fun-loving young men.
I have my own story of a high school friend, similar to yours, and killed in Vietnam, that brought home to me the truth and extent of how war destroys.

[@CAROLUSPRIMA]

I’m sure someone will let us know what finally became of this fellow.

[@lifeonthecivilwarresearchtrail]

You'll find this information at the end of the video: Morse eventually made his way to Massachusetts, married, and worked as a painter for a carriage manufacturer and an ice company. Active in the Grand Army of the Republic until his death in 1911 at age 65, his obituary observed that he was well known in town-evidence that he was a character throughout life.

[@CAROLUSPRIMA]

@@lifeonthecivilwarresearchtrail Sorry. I don’t know how I missed it. Thanks. I very much look forward to all your videos. I find myself being directed toward sources that I was previously unfamiliar with.

[@ukulelemikeleii]

How badly was he wounded? Did he lose an eye, or was that just temporary?

[@lifeonthecivilwarresearchtrail]

My research suggests he suffered minor cuts to his face and kept both his eyes.