Commander of the USS Pensacola during the bombardment of Forts Jackson & St. Philip, and capture of New Orleans, Louisiana in 1862

(1806-63) Born in Manhattan, New York City, he was the grandson of Robert Morris, signer of the Declaration of Independence. He was appointed as a midshipman on August 21, 1819, and by 1828 was promoted to lieutenant. Over the next decade and a half he served in various sea duty assignments. He was promoted to commander on October 12, 1849, where he was in charge of recruiting at New York from 1851 to 1853. His next sea command was on the sloop "Germantown" of the Brazil Squadron followed by additional sea duty in the Mediterranean Squadron. At the beginning of the Civil War he had served in the U.S. Navy for 41 years. He then was assigned as superintendent of operations at the Washington Navy Yard, and later commanded the sloop of war, "Pensacola," as it sailed south to join the West Gulf Blockading squadron. While passing Forts Jackson and Fort St. Philip, on the Mississippi River, Morris became involved in a cannon exchange with the Confederate batteries who ultimately scored numerous hits on the "Pensacola" killing four men, and wounding thirty three others. On July 16, 1862, he was promoted to commodore and remained in command of the "Pensacola." Commodore Morris's health then took a turn for the worse and he returned to New York City in an attempt to regain his health, however the attempt was futile, and he died on August 14, 1863. He is buried in Greenwood Cemetery, Brooklyn, New York.

Document Signed: 8 x 2 1/2, imprinted form on blue paper, filled out in ink. United States Navy Yard, New York, May 1st, 1858. Received, from Charles Murray, Purser United States Navy, Two hundred & twenty nine Dollars, ninety three Cents, on account of my Pay, &c. $229.93. Signed at lower right, Henry W. Morris. Excellent condition with a very nice large, bold signature. Desirable Union naval Civil War officer.