Background
Morgan, James Norris was born on November 2, 1839 in Alton, Illinois, United States. Son of James Madison and Elizabeth (McCrellish) Morgan.
Morgan, James Norris was born on November 2, 1839 in Alton, Illinois, United States. Son of James Madison and Elizabeth (McCrellish) Morgan.
Educated McKendree College, Illinois, 1854-1857.
Traveled across the plains on foot, Leavenworth to Denver, 1859. Spent 15 months in the gold mines and returned to Alton, Illinois. Enrolled in volunteer service, April 26, 1861.
Mustered into Illinois provisional regiment, May 11, 1861, and into United States Volumes, June 25, 1861.
Second lieutenant, Company B, 22d Illinois Volumes, June 25, 1861. First lieutenant, March 1, 1862.
Captain, June 13, 1862. Honorary mustered out, July 7, 1864.
Enlisted as private 144th Illinois Infantry, September 10, 1864.
Commissioned captain, September 10, 1864. Major, September 26, 1864. Lieutenant colonel, March 18, 1865.
Mustered out, July 14, 1865.
Second in command Lieutenant 38th United States Infantry, July 28, 1866. First lieutenant, June 12, 1867.
Captain, June 20, 1873. Retired from active service with rank of major, April 17, 1897.
Advanced to rank of lieutenant colonel retired, April 23, 1904.
Participated in many battles in departments of Mississippi and the South. While serving as captain at battle of Stone River, Tennessee, after several color bearers of the regiment had been wounded or killed, took the colors and rallied the regiment (about to disintegrate) and marched the regiment to General Jefferson C. Davis. In action at Adairsville, Georgia, May 1864, captured complete complement, as to officers and men of his company.
Served in Southwest after the war.
With company built telegraph line, Separ, New Mexico, to Mexico boundary, 35 miles, in 24 working hours. Bvtd. First lieutenant and captain “for gallant and meritorious service on the field at Stone River”.
Major “for gallant and meritorious service on the field at New Hope Church, Georgia”.
Mason.
Married Ella Dora Dimmick, May 4, 1875 (died 1909).