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G. W. Morell

G. W. Morell

Federal (USA)

Major General

George Webb Morell

(1815 - 1883)

Home State: New York

Command Billet: Commanding Division

Branch of Service: Infantry

Unit: 1st Division, 5th Corps

Before Antietam

He Graduated from the USMA in 1835 (1st of 56 in class), was on engineer duty (Great Lakes and Atlantic coast harbor projects), and resigned in 1837. He then became a railroad constructor and lawyer. He was commissioned in NY Volunteers for the Mexican War, but his Regiment was never in Federal service. In 1861 he was Col. on staff of the commander of New York militia, and in the Washington defences. In August 1861 he was appointed Brigadier General of Volunteers and commanded the 1st Brigade/1st Division/V Corps on the Peninsula campaign. He commanded the 1st Division/V Corps at Seven Pines, and the Seven Days. In July 1862 he was promoted Major General of Volunteers (to expire March 1863) and was at Second Bull Run.

On the Campaign

He led the First Division of Porter's Fifth (V) Corps, in reserve on the east side of the Antietam on the 17th.

The rest of the War

He saw no further field service and in December 1864 was mustered out. His career may have suffered as a result of his association with Porter (who commanded his corps).

After the War

He was a farmer and lay preacher.

References & notes

His biographical and service basics from Warner.1 His gravesite is on Findagrave.

Birth

01/08/1815; Cooperstown, NY

Death

02/11/1883; Scarborough, NY; burial in Saint Marys Episcopal Church Grounds, Scarborough, NY

Notes

1   Warner, Ezra J., Generals in Blue, Lives of the Union Commanders, Baton Rouge, LA: Louisiana State University Press, 1964, pp. 330, 331  [AotW citation 31917]