George W. Morell
Encyclopedia
George Webb Morell was a civil engineer, lawyer, farmer, and a Union
general in the American Civil War
.
. He graduated from the United States Military Academy
, first in his class of 56 cadets, in 1835 and was commissioned a brevet
second lieutenant in the Corps of Engineers. He resigned from the Army on June 30, 1837, and became a civil engineer for the Charleston and Cincinnati Railroad and later for the Michigan Central Railroad. He moved to New York in 1839 and worked as a lawyer. He was a United States court commissioner from 1859 to 1861.
and quartermaster
of the New York Militia. He was promoted to brigadier general
of volunteers on August 9, 1861, and served in brigade and division command in the Army of the Potomac
during the Peninsula Campaign
. Morell led the 1st Division, V Corps, during most of this period. His close association with Brig. Gen. Fitz John Porter
, his corps commander, negatively affected his career prospects, as Porter was (unjustly) court-martialed
for dereliction in the Second Battle of Bull Run
. Morell testified on Porter's behalf at the court-martial, effectively ruining his military career. After the Battle of Antietam
, he saw no additional field service. Morell was appointed a major general
on July 4, 1862, but the appointment expired the following year without confirmation by the United States Senate
. He commanded the Draft Depot in Indianapolis, Indiana
, for most of 1864 and was mustered out from volunteer service on December 15, 1864.
Union Army
The Union Army was the land force that fought for the Union during the American Civil War. It was also known as the Federal Army, the U.S. Army, the Northern Army and the National Army...
general in the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
.
Early life
Morell was born in Cooperstown, New YorkCooperstown, New York
Cooperstown is a village in Otsego County, New York, USA. It is located in the Town of Otsego. The population was estimated to be 1,852 at the 2010 census.The Village of Cooperstown is the county seat of Otsego County, New York...
. He graduated from the United States Military Academy
United States Military Academy
The United States Military Academy at West Point is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located at West Point, New York. The academy sits on scenic high ground overlooking the Hudson River, north of New York City...
, first in his class of 56 cadets, in 1835 and was commissioned a brevet
Brevet (military)
In many of the world's military establishments, brevet referred to a warrant authorizing a commissioned officer to hold a higher rank temporarily, but usually without receiving the pay of that higher rank except when actually serving in that role. An officer so promoted may be referred to as being...
second lieutenant in the Corps of Engineers. He resigned from the Army on June 30, 1837, and became a civil engineer for the Charleston and Cincinnati Railroad and later for the Michigan Central Railroad. He moved to New York in 1839 and worked as a lawyer. He was a United States court commissioner from 1859 to 1861.
Civil War
At the start of the Civil War, Morell was appointed colonelColonel (United States)
In the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, colonel is a senior field grade military officer rank just above the rank of lieutenant colonel and just below the rank of brigadier general...
and quartermaster
Quartermaster
Quartermaster refers to two different military occupations depending on if the assigned unit is land based or naval.In land armies, especially US units, it is a term referring to either an individual soldier or a unit who specializes in distributing supplies and provisions to troops. The senior...
of the New York Militia. He was promoted to brigadier general
Brigadier general (United States)
A brigadier general in the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, is a one-star general officer, with the pay grade of O-7. Brigadier general ranks above a colonel and below major general. Brigadier general is equivalent to the rank of rear admiral in the other uniformed...
of volunteers on August 9, 1861, and served in brigade and division command in the Army of the Potomac
Army of the Potomac
The Army of the Potomac was the major Union Army in the Eastern Theater of the American Civil War.-History:The Army of the Potomac was created in 1861, but was then only the size of a corps . Its nucleus was called the Army of Northeastern Virginia, under Brig. Gen...
during the Peninsula Campaign
Peninsula Campaign
The Peninsula Campaign of the American Civil War was a major Union operation launched in southeastern Virginia from March through July 1862, the first large-scale offensive in the Eastern Theater. The operation, commanded by Maj. Gen. George B...
. Morell led the 1st Division, V Corps, during most of this period. His close association with Brig. Gen. Fitz John Porter
Fitz John Porter
Fitz John Porter was a career United States Army officer and a Union General during the American Civil War...
, his corps commander, negatively affected his career prospects, as Porter was (unjustly) court-martialed
Court-martial of Fitz John Porter
The court-martial of Fitz John Porter was a major event of the American Civil War. Major General Fitz John Porter was found guilty of disobeying a lawful order, and misconduct in front of the enemy and removed from command based on internal political machinations of the Union...
for dereliction in the Second Battle of Bull Run
Second Battle of Bull Run
The Second Battle of Bull Run or Second Manassas was fought August 28–30, 1862, as part of the American Civil War. It was the culmination of an offensive campaign waged by Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia against Union Maj. Gen...
. Morell testified on Porter's behalf at the court-martial, effectively ruining his military career. After the Battle of Antietam
Battle of Antietam
The Battle of Antietam , fought on September 17, 1862, near Sharpsburg, Maryland, and Antietam Creek, as part of the Maryland Campaign, was the first major battle in the American Civil War to take place on Northern soil. It was the bloodiest single-day battle in American history, with about 23,000...
, he saw no additional field service. Morell was appointed a major general
Major general (United States)
In the United States Army, United States Marine Corps, and United States Air Force, major general is a two-star general-officer rank, with the pay grade of O-8. Major general ranks above brigadier general and below lieutenant general...
on July 4, 1862, but the appointment expired the following year without confirmation by the United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
. He commanded the Draft Depot in Indianapolis, Indiana
Indianapolis, Indiana
Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
, for most of 1864 and was mustered out from volunteer service on December 15, 1864.
Postbellum
Morell worked as a farmer after his military service. He died in Scarborough, New York, and is buried there in the chancel of St. Mary's Episcopal Church.See also
- List of American Civil War generals (Union)