- Joseph Wanton Morrison
Joseph Wanton Morrison (
4 May ,1783 –15 February 1826 ) was a British soldier, best known for commanding the British troops at theBattle of Crysler's Farm during theWar of 1812 .Morrison was born in
New York (which was then under British occupation in the final days of theAmerican War of Independence ), the son of a senior Commisariat officer. He joined the British Army as an Ensign in 1793, and was present as aLieutenant in campaigns in theNetherlands in 1799, where he was severely wounded at the Battle of Egmond-aan-Zee. He was promoted rapidly through purchase and in 1808 was in command of the 2nd Battalion of the89th Foot inIreland as aMajor . Inspecting field officers commented favourably both on the battalion and on Morrison himself.Morrison exchanged briefly into the
1st West India Regiment to gain promotion toLieutenant-Colonel in 1809, then returned to the 2/89th. They were serving inGibraltar in 1812 when war broke out between Britain and theUnited States , and were despatched to reinforce the British troops inCanada .In October 1813, they were stationed at
Kingston, Ontario when news arrived that a large American force was descending theSaint Lawrence River intent on attackingMontreal . 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 onNovember 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 transferred to theSicilian Regiment and remained in it until 1821, when he becameLieutenant-Colonel of the44th Foot , which was posted toCalcutta inIndia . Morrison was promotedBrigadier-General to command a brigade in an expedition to the province ofArakan during theFirst 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.External links
* [http://www.biographi.ca/009004-119.01-e.php?&id_nbr=3038 Biography at the "Dictionary of Canadian Biography Online"]
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