[1] He attended the United States Military Academy (USMA) at West Point, New York, and graduated in June 1883 with the class of 1883.
[1][2] Several of his classmates would go on to become general officers in their careers, such as Charles W. Kennedy, George H. Cameron, Harry C. Hale, George W. Read, John W. Heard, Ira A. Haynes, Samson L. Faison, William C. Langfitt, Robert D. Walsh, Omar Bundy, Tyree R. Rivers, John W. Ruckman, Isaac Littell and Clarence R. Edwards.
[1][3][7] Morton then commanded the Ninth Corps Area, which had its headquarters at the Presidio of San Francisco.
General Morton Commanded the 29th Division from the date of its organization until the end of hostilities, and led this division with skill and ability in the successful operations east and northeast of Verdun, which forced the enemy to maintain this front with strong forces, thus preventing an increase of hostile strength between the Argonne and the Meuse.
[10]Morton also received the Croix de Guerre with two palms and the title of Commander of the Legion of Honor.