Joseph Wanton Morrison
Joseph Wanton Morrison | |
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| Battles/wars | Holland Campign
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Brigadier-General Joseph Wanton Morrison (4 May 1783 – 15 February 1826) was a British Army officer best known for commanding the British troops at the Battle of Crysler's Farm during the War of 1812
.
Early career
Morrison was born in
Battle of Egmont-op-Zee
.
He was promoted rapidly through
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
.
Battle of Crysler's Farm
In October 1813, the 2/89th were stationed 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.
Later career and death
In July 1814, Morrison was severely wounded at the
Battle of Moraviantown
.
After the war, he transferred to the deactivated
province of Arakan during the First Anglo-Burmese War
in 1824. Although the expedition was successful, 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 back to Britain.
In early 1809 he had married Elizabeth Hester Marriott of Worcester. He and his wife had no children.