History of Jordan Springs, (Frederick County) Virginia United States of America

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George Upham Morris, naval officer, was born in Massachusetts, June 3, 1830; son of Capt. Charles Morris, U.S.N. . He was appointed a midshipman, Aug. 14, 1846; and served in the Gulf and on the Pacific, 1846-47. He was promoted passed midshipman, June 8, 1852; master, Sept. 15, 1855; and lieutenant, Sept. 16, 1855. In 1862 he was assigned to the U.S. sloop Cumberland of the North Atlantic blockading squadron, and on March 8, 1862, while he was in temporary command of the vessel at anchor off Newport News, the Cumberland was attacked by the Confederate ironclad Merrimac, and after a desperate battle went down with her colors flying and with a parting shot at the enemy. Many of the wounded perished with the ship, some were shot while swimming to the shore, and others, including Morris, reached the shore in safety. The number of lives lost was approximated at 237. The officers and men were thanked by Secretary Welles in a letter to Lieut. Morris, and President Lincoln recommended that a vote of thanks he passed by congress for the valor and heroism displayed by Morris. The resolution passed the house Dec. 19, 1862, and when it reached the senate Dec. 22, 1862, was referred to the committee on naval affairs and never acted upon. He was promoted lieutenant-commander, July 16, 1862, and in May, 1863, while in command of the steam gunboat Port Royal, was engaged with a nine-gun battery on the James river, and participated in the attack on Fort Darling, Drewry's Bluff, Ala., 1864. He was commissioned commander, July 25, 1866, and was retired from active service, Oct. 21, 1874. He died at Jordan Springs, Va., Aug. 15, 1875.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

History of Jordan Springs, (Frederick County) Virginia

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