Does morale effect how infantry act as a buffer?

Firstly,

I have two battleships so how many infantry would be a good idea to act as a buffer incase of sudden bombardment? I planned to stack 20 with them because it is still early game and only 2 other players have battleships.

Secondly, does the morale of troops effect how useful they are as a buffer? As the morale of my infantry drops at sea will they die quicker/be less likely to hit (because of their hiding and cowering the mangy dogs)?