Joseph Wanton Morrison

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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 Commisariat officer. He joined the British Army as an Ensign in 1793, and was present as a Lieutenant in campaigns in the Netherlands in 1799, where he was severely wounded. He was promoted rapidly through purchase and in 1808 was in command of the 2nd Battalion of the 89th Regiment in Ireland as a Major. Inspecting field officers commented favourably both on the battalion and on Morrison himself.

Morrison exchanged briefly into the West India Regiment to gain promotion to Lieutenant Colonel in 1809, then returned to the 2/89th. They were serving in Gibraltar in 1812 when war broke out between Britain and the United States, and were despatched to reinforce the British troops in Canada.

In October 1813, they were stationed at Kingston, Ontario 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 including the 2/89th, which was to pursue and harass this American army. His force, numbering 800, was encamped at Crysler's Farm on November 11, when the Americans determined to drive him away. On favourable ground and using the classic British tactics of fighting in line and firing deliberate controlled volleys, Morrison's troops easily repulsed an American attack, even though outnumbered three to one.

In 1814, Morrison was severely wounded at the Battle of Lundy's Lane, and saw no further action in the war. He remained on half pay until 1821, when he became Colonel of the 44th Regiment, which was posted to Calcutta in India. Morrison was promoted Brigadier to command a brigade in an expedition to the province of Arakan during the First Burmese War in 1824. The Arakan was notorious for malaria and other diseases, and Morrison and many of his men fell ill with tropical fever. He died at sea on the voyage home.