W. James Morgan facts for kids

W. James Morgan was an officer and recruiter for the Union Army during the American Civil War. He was born in New York and later lived in Ohio and Indiana, where he gained experience in local military groups called militias.

Early Life and Joining the War

Before the Civil War began, Morgan was a grocer in Brunswick, Missouri. When the war started, he quickly began recruiting men to fight for the Union. He wanted to form a special unit of soldiers who rode horses, called "mounted infantry." This group was known as the Morgan Rangers.

Morgan was made a full Colonel and was given permission to gather an entire regiment of infantry soldiers. Most of these soldiers came from northern Missouri. The Morgan Rangers eventually became part of the 18th Missouri Volunteer Infantry regiment, which was fully formed by December 1861.

Challenges in Command

As a commander, Morgan was in charge of Union forces in Platte County, Missouri. He sometimes made decisions that caused problems. For example, in late 1861, he wrote to his superior, Henry Halleck, suggesting that he make examples of people who supported the Confederate side.

In December 1861, some difficult events happened under his command. Two Confederate soldiers who were either on leave or had finished their service were involved in an incident at Bee Creek Bridge. Morgan was also responsible for the Burning of Platte City, Missouri.

Because of these actions, higher-ranking officers were not happy with Morgan. By February 1862, he was officially removed from his command of the 18th Missouri regiment. The leadership of the regiment was then given to a different officer, Madison Miller.

Later Life

W. James Morgan passed away in Natchez, Mississippi in 1866.