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Morton C. Hunter | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromIndiana's3rd district | |
| In office March 4, 1867 – March 3, 1869 | |
| Preceded by | Ralph Hill |
| Succeeded by | William S. Holman |
| Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromIndiana's6th district | |
| In office March 4, 1873 – March 3, 1875 | |
| Preceded by | Daniel W. Voorhees |
| Succeeded by | Milton S. Robinson |
| Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromIndiana's8th district | |
| In office March 4, 1875 – March 3, 1879 | |
| Preceded by | James N. Tyner |
| Succeeded by | Abraham J. Hostetler |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Morton Craig Hunter (1825-02-05)February 5, 1825 |
| Died | October 25, 1896(1896-10-25) (aged 71) |
| Resting place | Rose Hill Cemetery, Bloomington, Indiana |
| Signature | .png) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States of America Union |
| Branch/service | United States Army Union Army |
| Years of service | 1862–1865 |
| Rank |  Colonel BrevetBrigadier General |
| Commands | 82nd Indiana Infantry 1st Brigade, 3rd Division,XIV Corps |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
Morton Craig Hunter (February 5, 1825 – October 25, 1896) was an officer in theUnion Army during theAmerican Civil War who later became aU.S. Representative fromIndiana, serving four terms between 1867 and 1879.
Morton Hunter was born inVersailles, Indiana and knew the hardships of growing up in a pioneer home. His father John Hunter was a soldier in theWar of 1812 and his Scottish immigrant grandfather served in theRevolutionary war. Morton Hunter graduated from the law department ofIndiana University at Bloomington in 1849.[1]
After graduating he immediately married and practiced law in Bloomington. In 1858 he was elected to representMonroe County in the State House of Representatives.
In the summer of 1862 in response to Lincoln's call for volunteers, he organized the82nd Indiana Infantry. On August 27, 1862, he was commissioned acolonel by GovernorOliver Morton. At theBattle of Chickamauga when Confederate Gen.Longstreet routed the right-wing of the Army of the Cumberland, Hunter on his own initiative was the first officer to form a new position on Horseshoe ridge that was to become the line that saved the army from destruction. His commanding officer John Connell wrote of Hunter's stubborn resistance on that ridge "which truly and most fortunately changed the fortunes of that disastrous day, and saved the army from worse than defeat." In theBattle of Missionary Ridge Hunter's 82nd and the99th Ohio were the first two regiments to attack Bragg's center with orders to halt after taking the Confederate line below Missionary ridge.
Not content to be subjected to murderous fire from the high ground, the attacking units charged the ridge, and Hunter's 82nd was the first of his division to gain the summit and occupy the confederate works. The initiative of his and Ohio units collapsingBragg's center was the pivotal moment of the battle. For his gallantry that day, Hunter received the commendation of his commanders.
He was later promoted to command his regiment's brigade (First Brigade, Third Division, Fourteenth Army Corps) under Gen.George Thomas and led his unit onSherman's March to the Sea. On January 13 1866,PresidentAndrew Johnson nominated Hunter for appointment to the grade ofbrevetbrigadier general of volunteers, to rank from March 13, 1865, and theUnited States Senate confirmed the appointment on March 12, 1866.[2]: 749 Hunter was mustered out of the volunteers on June 24, 1865.[2]: 311
Hunter was elected as aRepublican to theFortieth Congress (March 4, 1867 – March 3, 1869). After leaving office for four years, Hunter was again elected to theForty-third,Forty-fourth, andForty-fifth Congresses (March 4, 1873 – March 3, 1879).
After leaving office he operated a quarry in the Indiana limestone district.
He died inBloomington, Indiana, October 25, 1896 and was interred in Rose Hill Cemetery.[2]
This article incorporatespublic domain material fromBiographical Directory of the United States Congress.Federal government of the United States.
| U.S. House of Representatives | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Member of the U.S. House of Representatives fromIndiana's 3rd congressional district 1867-1869 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Member of the U.S. House of Representatives fromIndiana's 6th congressional district 1873-1875 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Member of the U.S. House of Representatives fromIndiana's 8th congressional district 1875-1879 | Succeeded by |
