Gen. Birney's African American Cook Arrested Forced Into A Vulgar Regiment

MORRIS was a resident of Salem, MA, who claimed that he confused with another George Morris, leading to George W's arrest for not responding to the draft. In this 1 ¼ pp, 8 x 12 ½, manuscript document possibly dictated by Morris, he explains the problem and petitions to be discharged or transferred to the 54th or 55th MA African American regiments. George W is not a married man, has a mother dependent on him for support. His residence as before stated is in Salem, Massachusetts. Having arrived at Washington from the Headquarters of Genl.

Birney (having been employed as Cook to some of the staff officers of that Genl). I engaged boarding at the house of Mrs.

Johnson, corner of 10th and V. I have never received any notice of having been drafted and could not certainly have been enrolled as I only for three weeks from the date hereof - at my boarding house herein before stated.

I was arrested as the party above and drafted under the name of George Morris (that is not his name). His earnest prayer is that he (Cooper) may be discharged [from] the service where he thinks he is unjustly held. But having ardent and patriotic devotion to the country he asks that if he must serve in any capacity in the service to be transferred to the 54th or 55th Regts U. The Regt in which he is now placed is one in which he has no acquaintance and the members thereof are coarse, vulgar and indecent. He asks also that if the decision of the govt is such as to retain him in service that he will be allowed the privilege of furnishing a substitute. BIRNEY was the son of abolitionist James G. Birney, who freed his slaves. David graduated from Phillips Academey, Andover, MA, who practiced law until the outbreak of the Civil War. Birney entered the Union Army just after Fort Sumter as Lieutenant Colonel of the 23rd PA Volunteer Infantry. Birney was court martialed for allegedly being disobedient but was acquitted. Birney led his brigade in the Seven Days Battle and fought at the Second Battle of Bull Run, the battles of Chantilly, Fredericksburg Chancellorsville.

Birney was promoted to major general due to his service at Chancellorsville. The document is written in period brown ink. A couple of short edge tears. Quite easy to read and a fine example of bureaucratic bungling in the Civil War. The government possibly confused George W.

Morris, who was from Salem, MA. Our goal is to please every customer.

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