Joseph Wanton Morrison
| Joseph Wanton Morrison | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born | 4 May 1783 New York |
| Died | 15 February 1826 (aged 42) |
| Allegiance |
 United Kingdom
|
| Service/branch |
 British Army
|
| Years of service | 1793–1826 |
| Rank | Brigadier General |
| Unit | 2nd Bn. 89th Foot 44th Foot |
| Battles/wars |
Battle of Crysler's Farm Battle of Lundy's Lane First Anglo-Burmese War |
Joseph Wanton Morrison (4 May 1783 – 15 February 1826) was a British soldier, best known for commanding the British troops at the Battle of Crysler's Farm during the War of 1812.
Morrison was born in New York (which was then under British occupation in the final days of the American War of Independence), the son of a senior Commissariat officer. He joined the British Army as an Ensign in 1793, and was present as a Lieutenant in the Anglo-Russian Invasion of Holland in 1799, where he was severely wounded at the Battle of Egmont-op-Zee.
He was promoted rapidly through purchase and in 1808, he was in command of the 2nd Battalion of the 89th Foot in Ireland as a Major. Inspecting field officers commented favourably both on the battalion and on Morrison himself. In November 1809, he exchanged into the 1st West India Regiment to gain promotion to Lieutenant-Colonel, serving in Trinidad. In July, 1811, he returned to the 2/89th as its commanding officer. The battalion was stationed in Gibraltar in 1812 when war broke out between Britain and the United States, and it was despatched to reinforce the British troops in Canada.
In October 1813, the 2/89th were stationed at Kingston in Upper Canada when news arrived that a large American force was descending the Saint Lawrence River, intent on attacking Montreal. Morrison was placed in command of a Corps of Observation which included his own battalion, and was ordered to pursue and harass this American army. His force, numbering 900 and supported by gunboats under Captain William Mulcaster, was encamped at Crysler's Farm on 11 November. Major General James Wilkinson, commanding the American army, determined to drive Morrison's force away before proceeding further down the river. On favourable ground and using the classic British tactics of fighting in line and firing deliberate controlled volleys, Morrison's troops easily repulsed the American attack, even though outnumbered three to one, and captured a 6-pounder gun which the Americans abandoned as they retreated.
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