William Ralls Morrison
| William Ralls Morrison | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Member of the United States House of Representatives for Illinois' 12th district | |
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In office March 4, 1863 – March 3, 1865 |
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| Preceded by | none |
| Succeeded by | Jehu Baker |
| Member of the United States House of Representatives for Illinois' 17th district | |
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In office March 4, 1873 – March 3, 1883 |
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| Preceded by | none |
| Succeeded by | Samuel W. Moulton |
| Member of the United States House of Representatives for Illinois' 18th district | |
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In office March 4, 1883 – March 3, 1887 |
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| Preceded by | John R. Thomas |
| Succeeded by | Jehu Baker |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 14, 1824 Prairie du Long, Illinois |
| Died | September 29, 1909 (aged 85) |
| Nationality |
 American
|
| Political party | Democratic |
| Residence | Waterloo, Illinois |
| Alma mater | McKendree College |
| Occupation | Military officer |
| Profession | Politician, lawyer |
William Ralls Morrison (September 14, 1824 – September 29, 1909) was a U.S. Representative from Illinois.
Born on a farm at Prairie du Long, near the present town of Waterloo, Illinois, Morrison attended the common schools and McKendree College, Lebanon, Illinois. He served in the war with Mexico. He went to California with the gold seekers in 1849, but returned to Illinois in 1851. He studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1855, and commenced practice in Waterloo, Illinois. Morrison served as clerk of the circuit court of Monroe County, Illinois from 1852 to 1854 and as member of the State house of representatives 1854-1860, 1870, and 1871; he served as speaker in 1859 and 1860.
In 1861, Morrison helped organize and was appointed colonel of the 49th Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment during the Civil War. Shortly after it was as mustered into service on December 31, 1861, the regiment was attached to Ulysses S. Grant's army at Cairo, Illinois. The 49th was formed into a brigade with 17th Illinois and two artillery batteries and, being the senior colonel, Morrison was placed in command of the brigade. Morrison's brigade was designated the 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, District of Cairo and joined Grant's expedition to Fort Henry. Morrison also participated in the Battle of Fort Donelson where his division commander, John A. McClernand, decided to seize a Confederate battery early in the engagement. McClernand selected Morrison's two regiments to lead the attack and decided to attach a third regiment from W.H.L. Wallace's brigade under Colonel Isham N. Haynie as support. However, Haynie outranked Morrison and decided to take command. Despite being the brigade's commander, Morrison willingly obliged to let Haynie lead the attack once it started. To that, Haynie replied, "Colonel, lets take it together." Shortly after the shooting started Morrison was struck in the hip, knocking him off his horse and settling the issue of command. Morrison never returned to the field and resigned his commission on December 13, 1863.
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