Dwight Morris Explained

Dwight Morris
Birth Date:22 November 1817
Birth Place:South Farm, Connecticut, United States
Death Place:Bridgeport, Connecticut, United States
Allegiance: United States (Union)
Branch: United States Army (Union Army)
Branch Label:Branch
Serviceyears:1861–1863
Rank:Colonel
Commands:14th Connecticut Infantry Regiment
Battles:American Civil War
Alma Mater:Union College

Timothy Dwight Morris (1817-1894) was an American colonel who commanded the 14th Connecticut Infantry Regiment during the American Civil War as well as commanding the 2nd Brigade of the 2nd Corps during the Battle of Antietam.

Biography

Earlier years

Dwight was born on November 22, 1817, at South Farm, Connecticut as the son of James Morris III who was a veteran of the American Revolutionary War.[1] Morris would graduate from Union College in 1832 and would be a Judge of Probate in his district in 1845 until 1851.[2] He would later be a member of the Connecticut State Legislature and served three different terms.[2] In 1850 and in 1860, Morris would travel to Europe and Asia as he traveled to places like Jerusalem, Greece, Russia and Turkey as well as travelling to Africa in the Nile River region.[2]

American Civil War

By the time Morris returned, the War Department would accept an additional regiment for Connecticut on May 21, 1861, and Dwight Morris was chosen to assemble the regiment at Hartford, Connecticut.[3] On May 25, 1862, Morris was appointed as the commander of the 2nd brigade of the 3rd Division of the Army of the Potomac which he would go on to command them at the Battle of Antietam.[2] [4] During the battle itself, his brigade would relieve Colonel Max Weber's Brigade at Sunken Road and took positions at the northern parts of Bloody Lane and the 14th Connecticut was sent to relieve Israel B. Richardson’s Division.[5] [6] After Antietam, Morris would be involved in several skirmishes until he was honorably discharged on October 23, 1863, for disability.[2] [7]

Later years

After his discharge, Morris was appointed as a U.S. Consul of Le Havre, France in 1864 and when he returned, Morris settled down in Bridgeport, Connecticut where he remained until his death on September 26, 1894.[2]

Notes and References

  1. Book: Keefer, C. Murray . Handbook of the James Morris Museum and the Aline Brothier Morris Reading Room . Yale University Press. 1947 . Morris. 36.
  2. Book: George H. Washburn. A Complete Military History and Record of the 108th Regiment N.Y. Vols., from 1862 to 1894: Together with Roster, Letters, Rebel Oaths of Allegiance, Rebel Passes, Reminiscences, Life Sketches, Photographs, Etc., Etc. Press of E.R. Andrews. 1894. 203. March 2, 2022.
  3. Book: Charles Davis Page. History of the Fourteenth Regiment, Connecticut Vol. Infantry. 1906. 14. March 2, 2022.
  4. Web site: Army of the Potomac - Second Corps. National Park Service. March 3, 2022.
  5. Web site: Morris' Brigade, French's Division, marker 42. antietam.stonesentinels.com. March 3, 2022.
  6. Web site: Antietam: Col Dwight Morris' Official Report. Antietam on the Web. March 3, 2022.
  7. Web site: Antietam: Col Dwight Morris. Antietam on the Web. March 3, 2022.