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Contributed by:
Phil Downey
Mr. Downey writes:
My great great grandfather Morris Morris was an officer in the Louisiana Native Guard.
Morris' mother's maiden name was Carvalho. It is my understanding through oral family
history that Morris Morris was Jewish. I have also come to learn that Morris was also part
black *I do not know what percentage. Morris migrated to New Orleans with his mother from
Jamaica shortly before the war began. I have confirmed through the
Jamaican Jewish Genealogy
website, that the Carvalho's of Jamaica were Jewish.* I also believe Morris' father was
Jewish, thought I have no firm proof on this matter. There is a website dedicated to the
Louisiana Native Guard which contains information and photos of Morris Morris. After the
war Morris changed his name to Lewis Morrison and went on to become one of the great stage actors of
the latter 19th century. I believe he changed his name for two reasons:
1). To escape his African heritage. He was probably
considered a Creole in New Orleans. In his photos he has predominantly white
features, and:
2). To escape his Jewish heritage. Sadly Jews and Irish Catholics, next
to Blacks, were the most despised of White ethnic groups in the late 19th century.
I do not believe that he would have been able to pursue his career in acting had he not
changed his identity, FYI, Lewis is the grandfather of Joan and Constance Bennett and the
great grandfather of Morton Downey, Jr.
Morris Morris' regiment, "The 1st Louisiana Native Guard," organized as a Confederate Home Guard regiment in June of 1861 and was accepted for service
as a Louisiana Militia unit by the Governor of Louisiana shortly thereafter, but was not documented as having seen combat as a Confederate regiment. After
the Union occupation of New Orleans in 1861/62, some Black and mulatto officers and enlisted men of the regiment accepted Union service and formed a
new USA regiment under the same name. Therefore, although Morris Morris served briefly as a Black Jewish Confederate officer, most of his military
service and all of his combat service in the War was as a Union officer. The reorganized "Native Guard" did fight in many battles on behalf of the Union.
At the battle of Port Hudson the 1st Louisiana Native Guard, USA, was the first Black Regiment to fight in combat for the Union.
Historically, Morris Morris is more correctly listed listed as a Union officer.
Shalom,
Phil Downey
Lt.
Morris Morris on the "Louisiana Native Guards" website
* Incidents of
Travel and Adventure in the Far West by Solomon N. Carvalho can be found on
this website. Solomon Carvalho was a native a Barbados, and very probably a
relative of Morris Morris.
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