Death of C. Morris Foster
It becomes our melancholy task to record the death of an accomplished friend and former compatriot, C. Morris Foster, late 1st lieutenant 65th U.S.C.I, who died in this city at the residence of his father, the Rev. R.A. Foster, on the 23d inst., at 2 o’clock p.m., aged 22 years.
Since the summer of 1861 we have known, and for more that three years, been intimately associated with the deceased, and cheerfully bear witness to his sterling integrity of character, modest and unassuming pretentions for merit, coupled with unflinching patriotism and enthusiastic devotion to the service of his country, the cause of which he espoused early in 1861, being among the first to join the late Col. Grever’s regiment of Union troops, afterwards known as the 27th Mo. Vols. From this regiment he was transferred in August, 1861, to a company of scouts and guides, organized by Gen. Fremont, and commanded by his brother, the Capt. E.S. Foster. His familiarity with the plans and secret haunts of the enemy along routes infested by guerrillas, rendered him, young as he was, capable of performing valuable service to Fremont’s army at that period of the war.
In October, 1861, while carrying important dispatches, he was captured by a rebel squad of one hundred men on their way to join Price, and at once threatened with the fate of a spy, but their purposes were frustrated through the intrepid perseverance and energy of Capt. Wm. Weaver, of Henry County, who, among other feats, captured a rebel picket, and forced him to disclose the location and position of their camp. With this information, Col. Lane (since General and United States Senator), of Kansas (whose troops, at the instance of Capt. Weaver, had reached the spot by forced marches), deployed his command, and approaching the enemies camp at different points, surprised and captured the entire rebel squad, with all their camp and garrison equipages, also recapturing young Foster, who was thereby enabled to report again for duty. Owing to the irregularity of Gen. Fremont’s organizations, this company was disbanded in the fall of 1861, and in January , 1862, young Foster enlisted as a private in Co. “A”, 7th Missouri Cavalry, and immediately on the organization of the regiment, received a warrant as Sergeant-major of the 1st Battalion. Participated in the battle of Lone Jack, Aug. 16, 1862, and received a gun shot wound through the left lung while engaged in bearing his commanding officer, Major E.S. Foster, from the field, who was also severely wounded.
Pending the disability occasioned by his wounds at Lone Jack, young Foster did not report to his regiment for duty again for many weeks. In the meantime, cavalry regiments had conformed in their organization to a then recent law of Congress, and by a constriction given to the orders from the War Department, Morris Foster was reduced to the ranks. Subsequently, he received a commission to recruit for Col. Piles’ brigade, and on the 18th of February, 1865, we find him promoted for meritorious conduct to the 1st lieutenancy of the 65th U.S. Inf’y. A.D., and occupying the post of Morganza, Louisiana, in the Department of the Guld. But the nature of that climate, together with his impaired constitution, consequent from his wound at Lone Jack, forced him to throw up his commission and return home. On the 6th of September, at Warsaw, while acting Deputy Clerk of Benton county, he underwent a severe hemorrhage of the lungs, from which he never recovered.
He died of congestion of the lungs, superinduced by wounds received in the service. Having a wide and loving circle of friends who will ever cherish his memory as a devoted, son, brother and companion, beloved for all the qualities that polish and adorn the heart, and lastingly honored for the heroic gallantry, courage and sacrifice he cheerfully made for his country.
SOURCE: The Standard-Herald (Warrensburg, Missouri) · Fri, Oct 27, 1865 · Page 3