Success!!!

A couple of weeks ago, I posted about my frustration with being unable to identify a Major Morrison mentioned in the published eulogy of Ulric Dahlgren. I was frustrated because Major Morrison is featured in a terrific anecdote that I want to include in my Dahlgren biography, and without being able to do so, I didn’t believe that I could legitimately include the story. The inability to identify Morrison really frustrated me. When I did that, I did so hoping that one you might be able to help solve this terribly vexatious problem.

Fortunately, I was not disappointed. Several of you chimed in, including Lee White. Lee did a database search and identified one likely candidate: Maj. Charles J. Morrison of the 1st D.C. Infantry. Bryce Suderow, who assists with my research in Washington, D.C., was able to locate several of the annual circulars published by the Rittenhouse Academy in Washington, and sure, enough, the name of Charles J. Morrison appears in the 1856 circular, along with the name of one Ulric Dahlgren. The eulogy mentions a chance meeting between Dahlgren and Morrison on the road to Harpers Ferry, and the 1st D. C. Infantry was assigned to the defenses of Harpers Ferry. So, it appears that we have solved this particular mystery, although I have to admit that I did not expect to ever do so.

There’s just one problem. Maj. Charles J. Morrison resigned his commission in April 1863. The eulogy, given in late April 1864, makes it clear that both Ulric Dahlgren and Major Morrison were both dead by then. So, although I am about 90% certain that this Charles J. Morrison is my guy, I’ve ordered his service and pension files from the National Archives, and if the pension records confirm his death between April 1863 and the delivery of the eulogy, then there will be absolutely no question that this is my guy. As it stands, the evidence is strong enough that I would be willing to take this case to a jury and feel good about my chances of winning the case.

So, to my loyal readers, I owe you one. Thank you very much for taking the time to not only indulge my rantings, but to help me solve seemingly unsolveable mysteries, too.