George W. Morgan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
George Washington Morgan
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George W. Morgan, 1892
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| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Ohio's 13th district |
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| In office March 4, 1867 – June 3, 1868 |
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| Preceded by | Columbus Delano |
| Succeeded by | Columbus Delano |
| In office March 4, 1869 – March 3, 1873 |
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| Preceded by | Columbus Delano |
| Succeeded by | Milton I. Southard |
| United States Ambassador to Portugal | |
| In office 1858–1861 |
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| Preceded by | John L. O'Sullivan |
| Succeeded by | James E. Harvey |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 20, 1820 Washington County, Pennsylvania |
| Died | July 26, 1893 (aged 72) Fort Monroe, Virginia |
| Resting place | Mound View Cemetery, Mount Vernon, Ohio |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Sarah H. Hall |
| Children | two |
| Alma mater | Washington & Jefferson College |
| Signature |  |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States of America Union |
| Branch/service | United States Army Union Army |
| Years of service | 1846–1848, 1861–1863 |
| Rank |  Brigadier General |
| Commands | 15th Infantry Regiment |
| Battles/wars | Mexican War |
George Washington Morgan (born September 20, 1820 – died July 26, 1893) was an important American figure. He was a soldier, lawyer, politician, and diplomat. Morgan fought in the Texas Revolution and the Mexican–American War. He also served as a general in the Union Army during the American Civil War. After the war, Morgan was elected to the U.S. Congress from Ohio three times. Before the Civil War, he was the United States Ambassador to Portugal from 1858 to 1861.
Contents
Early Life and Military Service
Morgan was born in Washington County, Pennsylvania. His family was well-known. His grandfather, Colonel George Morgan, was known for sharing important information with President Thomas Jefferson. George W. Morgan went to local schools. In 1836, at age 16, he left Washington College. He joined a military group led by his older brother, Thomas Jefferson Morgan.
Fighting in Texas and Mexico
They traveled to Mexican Texas to fight for independence from Mexico. Morgan became a lieutenant in the Texas Army under Sam Houston. He later became a Captain and commanded a post in Galveston. He also served with the Texas Rangers. In 1839, he returned to Pennsylvania.
In 1841, Morgan entered the U.S. Military Academy (West Point). However, he left in 1843 because of poor grades. He then moved to Mount Vernon, Ohio. There, he studied law and became a lawyer in 1845. He also worked as a prosecutor for Knox County.
When the Mexican–American War started, Morgan became a Colonel in the 2nd Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Later, he became Colonel of the 15th U.S. Infantry in 1847. He served under General Winfield Scott. Morgan was promoted to brigadier general in 1848. This was for his bravery in the battles of Contreras and Churubusco, where he was badly hurt. The Ohio legislature thanked him formally for his service.
Life as a Diplomat
After recovering, Morgan went back to his law practice in Mount Vernon. He married Sarah H. Hall in 1851, and they had two children.
In 1856, President James Buchanan appointed him as the U.S. Consul to Marseilles, France. Two years later, he became the U.S. Minister to Portugal. He held this job until 1861, when he returned home as the Civil War began.
Civil War Service
Because of his past military experience, Morgan was made a brigadier general in the Union Army on November 21, 1861. He reported to Maj. Gen. Don Carlos Buell in the Western Theater.
Cumberland Gap and Retreat
In March 1862, Morgan took command of the 7th Division of the Army of the Ohio. He was ordered to southeastern Kentucky to take the important Cumberland Gap from the Confederates. Morgan quickly defeated Carter L. Stevenson's Confederate forces and took the gap on June 18, 1862. He then held the gap with his four brigades and artillery.
However, in September, he had to quickly retreat towards the Ohio River. This happened because Braxton Bragg invaded Kentucky and cut off Morgan's supply routes. Morgan led a very skilled retreat, moving his 8,000 men over 200 miles in sixteen days. They reached Greenup, Kentucky, on October 3, despite constant attacks from Col. John H. Morgan's forces.
Later Campaigns and Resignation
In November, Morgan served with Maj. Gen. Jacob Dolson Cox in what is now West Virginia. They defended Charleston in the Kanawha River Valley.
The next year, Morgan commanded the 3rd Division of the XIII Corps under Maj. Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman. This was during the Vicksburg Campaign. Sherman was not happy with Morgan's actions at the Battle of Chickasaw Bluffs. However, Morgan later proved himself by leading the XIII Corps to capture Fort Hindman in Arkansas.
Morgan's health got worse from the long campaigns. Also, he was not happy with the use of black troops. He resigned his commission on June 8, 1863, and returned to civilian life in Ohio.
Political Career and Later Life
George W. Morgan strongly supported keeping the Union together. However, he was against the government interfering with slavery in the South. He believed the Federal government did not have the legal right to end slavery. In the 1864 Presidential Election, Morgan campaigned in Ohio for former army general George B. McClellan.
Running for Governor and Congress
In 1865, he ran for Governor of Ohio as a Democrat. He lost to his former commander, Jacob Dolson Cox.
Despite this, he continued his political career. In 1866, he was elected to the Fortieth United States Congress from Ohio's 13th District. He served on the Committee on Foreign Affairs. He voted against the impeachment of President Andrew Johnson.
Two years later, he seemed to have won reelection. But the Republican candidate, Columbus Delano, challenged his win and took his seat on June 3, 1868. Morgan ran again in 1870 and was elected to another term. He held his Congressional seat until 1873. During this time, he served on committees for foreign affairs, military affairs, and reconstruction. He often spoke out against the government's strict policies on Reconstruction. He also often disagreed with the Radical Republicans. Morgan ran for Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, but he lost to James G. Blaine.
Retirement and Death
After leaving Congress, Morgan was a delegate to the 1876 Democratic National Convention in St. Louis.
He passed away at Fort Monroe, Virginia, on July 26, 1893. He was the last surviving general of the Mexican-American War. He is buried in Mound View Cemetery in Mount Vernon, Ohio.
See also
- List of American Civil War generals (Union)
- List of Ohio's American Civil War generals
