Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1832-06-21
CHARACTER
From the .Ns,o-EnglgaG .Magasise.
A PORTRAIT.

shining ornament Col. NI~LLoUGHBY Nor
GAN died at Prairie du Chen, on the Upper
Mississippi, about the last of March. He has
not left has better behind him, nor will he be
easily forgotten by any, who, like the writer
of this notice, knew his rare worth.
Colonel Morgan was the son of that brave
officer of the revolution, familiarly known as
"Rifle Morgan or sold Rifle" He inhe.
rited all his fathers courage aud more than
his talents. There were few more thorough
scholars in the United States than Willougb.
by Morgan. After the last war, he had al.
ways 10 his quarters a better collection Of the
Latin and Greek classics, than could have
been selected from all the regimental libra
RES IN the Union. He read much, aud d.
gested what he read. His knowledge of the
law was such, that the most eminent counsel
lors on the frontier were wont to consult him
IN different cases. On two or three occasions
he successfully pleaded the causes of soldiers,
| who had incurred the notice of the law. He
had taken relish for polite literature, and was
fond of the society OF such as could converse
with him on its topics. Yet he was no pc
LIANT. lie never garnisbed his discourse with
quotations, nor made any unnecessary dis
play Of his requirements. His advice, know
ledge, his instructions, were all at the SER
vice of any one that had the grace to ask
them. Nothing gave Col. Morgan greater
pleasure than to guide some young man in
the paths Of learning, or TO aid him with his
counsel, and otherwise, when in difficulty.
But neither bis advice nor his Instructions
were ever intrusively bestowed. His nodes
ty was equal tic his merit.
Certain circumstances, which happened in
his family, and which need not be specified
he,e, proved a source of affection TO Colonel
NIorran fhrnnoh life lie xya cn,t.ntl,
suffering for the sins of others. Though in
nocently implicated in the matters alluded
to. he imagined himself a stignatized man,
and at times his mental pangs were very a
cute. This morbid sensibility had a very i'm
portant Influence on his actions and CONVEX
%sations. He was retired and reserved, to a
fault. He was scarce ever, unless where his
military duties were concerned, the first to
a conversation. When he did
speak, he expressed his opinions with much
humility, aud AS one who was conscious of
some inferiority. In the later years of his
life, he became somewhat moody and absent,
to a degree that was often ludicrous.
During the late war, ColoBel Qisen Lieu
tenant and Captain) Morgan distinguished
himself very highly on many occasions. He
was an excellent d~iscipinarian; indeed, some
thing of a martinez, and the company under
his command was, consequently, IA pattern for
soldiers. In personal powers he was perfect
| Paiadin; more than one British soldier fell by
his hand. His physical powers gave him de-
cided advantage ia single comhats He was
upwards of six feet high, strongly made, &C
tive and muscular, a bold rider, and a match
less swordsman.
During the campaign on the Niagara, the
American army was much annoyed by a par
ty of British dragons, who were accustomed
to pick up ~stragglers, to insult and abuse the
peaceabie inhabitants, and to disturb the
communications. They were men, selected
from the ranks for their bodily strength, and
ability with their weapons. Most ofsthem
had served under lord Wellington, in Spain.
One day this party came In sight OF an Ame-
rican horse patrol, Of about equal numbers.
A stream, over which there was a narrow
| bridge, separated them. Neither party could
| pass without the consent Of the other, Mat
tiers being in this situation, one OF the British
cavaliers advanced to the front and challeng-
ed the best American present, to cross swords
with him. One high spirited young nan, in
| spite Oh the remonstrances OF bis comrades,
rode across the bridge and Immediately at
tackled the appellant. After a few cuts and
passes, the American received a blow on the
left side, which divided his body TO the back
/ U0nc, anu tHc DIttsu tIdi1pIuu fuuC DdCA "
| tire ranks, with the slain soldiers horse and ac-
coutrements.
This incident created considerable excite
ment in the American army. Many OF the
young officers burned to revenge the dis
| grace, which seemed to affect Captain Nor
gan very little. "Never mind !" said he, when
the matter was discussed in lis presence,
that score will soon be wiped out" He
spoke truly. The next day he procured the
command Of the American patrol, met the
British party on fair ground, and spurred TO
meet them. They did not wait to receive his
charge, hut fled in disorder. Mounted on a
fine Nirginian blooded horse, Morgan pursu
ed, overlook The hindmost, and compelled
him to combat, just as he was about 10 gam
! the shelter OF a outpost. he slew the unlor-
tunate trooper at a single stroke, which cut
through cap and crown, down to the shout
ders. Then, having in vain invited a second
champion TO try conclusions with him, he
leisureiy rode away. This was said TO have
been the best blow struck during the war.
We have since heard Colonel Morgan ex'
press his regret for the whole affair. II XIII
ed that poor fellow, . said he. ''neediessly, to
crafty my W boyish pride and that oil 9TH
ers. / can never reconcile the act TO my con
SCIENCE"
Shortly after the war, Morgan was station
ed at Prairie du Chen. While at that pes
he would sometimes seek refuge from the
thoughts which embittered his life, IN youne
and gay company, One night qnaTrei 700,