Morton Thompson (1844-1893) enlisted with the 3rd Massachusetts Infantry on 9/18/1862 at Halifax (MA) "by consent of parents or guardian" for a period of 9 months. His regiment served in Eastern Theater and was engaged at Kinston and Whitehall, North Carolina. He mustered out on 6/26/1863 at Camp Hooker, Lakeville, Massachusetts. Thompson's letters span December 1862 through May 1863 and most come with original covers.

Writing from Camp Richmond at Newbern, North Carolina, and then Camp Jourdan, Thompson's letters discuss his daily activities, pay, correspondence, weather, rations, sleeping quarters, and news of his fellow soldiers. Whether working on entrenchments, on guard duty, or in camp, Thompson embraces his role as a soldier. Away from home perhaps for the first time and as of yet relatively unscathed by battle, Thompson's youthfulness and innocence are reflected in his correspondence.