William W. Morris facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
William W. Morris
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| Born | August 31, 1801 Ballston Springs, New York |
| Died | December 11, 1865 (aged 64) Fort McHenry, Baltimore, Maryland |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/ |
United States Army Union Army |
| Years of service | 1820–1865 |
| Rank |  Colonel Brevet Brigadier General Brevet Major General (posthumous) |
| Unit | 4th U.S. Artillery Regiment |
| Commands held | 2nd U.S. Artillery Regiment |
| Battles/wars | Arickaree Expedition Second Seminole War American Civil War |
William Walton Morris Jr. (born August 31, 1801 – died December 11, 1865) was an American soldier. He was a career officer in the United States Army. During the American Civil War (1861–1865), he served as a colonel and later as a brevet brigadier general in the Union Army. Morris was mainly in charge of defending Fort McHenry and Baltimore Harbor. He also briefly commanded the VIII Corps.
Contents
Early Life and Family
William Walton Morris Jr. was born in 1801 in Ballston Springs, New York. His father, William Walton Morris Sr., was also a soldier. He served as an aide to General Anthony Wayne.
William Jr.'s grandfather was Lewis Morris. Lewis Morris was a very important person in American history. He was one of the people who signed the United States Declaration of Independence. This means William Morris Jr. came from a family with a strong connection to the founding of the United States.
Becoming a Soldier
Morris started his military training very young.
- On March 17, 1815, when he was just 14, he joined the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York.
- He graduated from West Point in 1820.
After graduating, Morris became a second lieutenant in the 6th United States Infantry Regiment. He began his service on the frontier in Iowa.
Early Military Service and Wars
Morris quickly gained experience in different conflicts.
- In 1823, he was promoted to first lieutenant. He commanded artillery during the Arickaree Expedition.
- He then went to artillery school at Fort Monroe, Virginia.
- In 1824, he moved to the 4th U.S. Artillery Regiment.
He served in various army posts until 1836. That year, he became a captain in the 4th Artillery.
Morris fought in the Second Seminole War. This war was in Florida. He showed great bravery at the Battle of Wahoo Swamp. Because of his courage, he was given a special honorary rank called "brevet major." A brevet rank is a temporary higher rank given for good service.
During the Mexican–American War, Morris was a major in the Artillery Battalion. He fought in important battles like the Battle of Palo Alto and the Battle of Resaca de la Palma. After the war, in 1848, he was promoted to major in the 4th Artillery. He continued to serve in different locations, including Fort Ridgely, Minnesota, in early 1861.
Service During the Civil War
The American Civil War began in 1861. Morris was transferred to Fort McHenry in Baltimore, Maryland, on April 25, 1861. This fort was very important for defending Baltimore.
- On May 14, 1861, Morris was promoted to lieutenant colonel of the 4th Artillery Regiment.
- Then, on November 1, 1861, he became a colonel of the 2nd U.S. Artillery Regiment.
His leadership was recognized by President Abraham Lincoln.
- On April 30, 1862, President Lincoln nominated Morris to be a brevet brigadier general. This was for his "meritorious services," meaning excellent service.
- The United States Senate confirmed this promotion on June 9, 1862.
Morris's main job during the Civil War was to defend Baltimore Harbor. He was in charge of a brigade, which is a large group of soldiers. He also temporarily commanded the VIII Corps and the Middle Department. These were important military commands in the region.
Personal Life
In January 1833, William Walton Morris Jr. married Mary Alexander Ritchie. They had several children together:
- William Gouverneur Morris (1833–1884): He studied law and became a Union Officer during the Civil War. Later, he worked for the U.S. Treasury Department in Alaska. He even became the Collector of Customs in Sitka, Alaska.
- Estelle Morris (1838–1922): She married Dr. John Murray Carnochan.
- Gouverneur Morris (1841–1865): He also served in the Civil War, first with the 8th New York Regiment and then in the Marine Corps. Sadly, he died during the war.
- Arthur Morris (1843–1892): He married Adelaide Bettner.
- Anne Ritchie Morris (1845–1910): She married Colonel Joseph Gales Ramsay.
William Walton Morris Jr. passed away on December 11, 1865, at Fort McHenry in Baltimore, Maryland, at the age of 64. He was buried in the Bronx, New York.
Posthumous Recognition
After his death, Morris received another important honor.
- On April 16, 1866, President Andrew Johnson nominated him for a posthumous (after death) promotion.
- He was promoted to brevet major general for his "Faithful and meritorious Services during the Rebellion."
- The United States Senate confirmed this promotion on May 4, 1866. This showed how much his service to the country was valued.
