Serving as a soldier in the U.S. Army, Private Benjamin Morse received the Medal of Honor for his actions on May 12, 1864 in Spotsylvania, Virginia during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with Company C, 3d Michigan Infantry. Morse was 19 years old.
34 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on February 24, 1891, 26 years after the action. He later rose to the rank of Corporal.
Morse was born on September 20, 1844 in Livingston, Columbia County, New York. His Medal of Honor is credited to Grand Rapids, Kent County, Michigan. Morse died on November 24, 1908 in Lowell, Michigan, at the age of 64. He is buried at Oakwood Cemetery in Lowell, Michigan.
Morse is one of 1,525 Medal of Honor recipients from the Civil War and one of 112 credited to Michigan.
Official Medal of Honor citation
Capture of colors of 4th Georgia Battery (C.S.A.).
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Timeline
- September 20, 1844Born in Livingston, Columbia County, New York
- May 12, 1864Act of valor — Spotsylvania, VirginiaAge 19. Company C, 3d Michigan Infantry
- February 24, 1891Medal of Honor presented
- November 24, 1908Died in Lowell, MichiganAge 64.
- Resting placeOakwood CemeteryLowell, Michigan
