James Morrison 24^th IA, Co. G

James Morrison was born in 1827, in Creigerstown, Maryland. On December 24, 1852, he married Jane Wolverton in Cumberland, Maryland. They had two sons, W. W. Morrison, who eventually moved to Oakland, Wisconsin, and John T. Morrison, who moved to Colport, Missouri.

In 1855, he moved to Cedar Rapids, established a home at 418 7^th Ave, and worked as a contractor. James enlisted in the 24^th Iowa Volunteer Infantry Regiment at the age of 38 on August 13, 1862. Company G, organized at the Sand Ridge School near Prairieburg (Linn County), assigned him the rank of 5^th Sergeant. He was mustered in with the regiment on September 3, 1862 in Camp Strong, Iowa.

James fought in the battles of Port Gibson, Black R. Bridge, Vicksburg, Sabine Cross Roads, Cane River, Winchester, Fisher’s Hill and Cedar Creek. On July 1, 1863, he was promoted to the rank of 4^th Sergeant. He was transferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps June 22, 1864. During his time in the reserves, he filled many roles, including guarding Ford’s Theatre the night President Lincoln was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth. He was mustered out on June 28, 1865 in Washington City (now called Washington, D.C.), and returned home to Iowa.

He lived many more years, and eventually moved to the Old Soldiers’ Home in Marshalltown, Iowa, where he died on March 24, 1905. His funeral was held by the Reverend Cole, the chaplain of the G.A.R. post in Marshalltown. James Morrison was survived by his two sons and his two granddaughters, Mrs. Cyrus Formire of Minneapolis, and Mrs. C. H. McFarland of Des Moines. He was buried in Oak Hill Cemetery in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.