Wheeling times and advertiser. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1839-1849, 1841-06-03
NffNEI.AN


After Comwai,iss ARRIVAL "a VIRGINIA ~ sourh,
ub ala Opportunity To Cscag" iptn Nprh C.uII,ul.
for, the address and vigilance .: Lafayette ds~pII.
certed all has schemes Aurf the Bulish couiInan-
der arrived at Yorktown and commenced his iorii-
caliOns. says Mr. Sparks, Lafayette asked Colonel
Barber If lie knew of trlsiy capable soldier Nhon
lao cosld send n SPY intn Corvallis camp lie
answered that thero was one ia the New Jersey
line, by the name of Morgan. yho was in al re.
spects suited To such enterprise. The general
sent Tor ham. and tpld him that he had very diff
cult task TO propose 60 him, which ws. that he
should pretend desert go 10 the British camp,
and ealsi n soldier. Morgan answered that he
was ready to DO any thing IN The service Of his
county, and 10 oJgc his general hat HAT hi- feel
ings reyo!lct ct such psoPUsil. lie must assume
the character OF a spy. add. a detected. he would
not only lose his lie. but hriug lrsi"g disgrace
upon hs name. lie desired the rvputIII'n UI gOod
soldier and zalpus. lover of his cuuniry, hut
hc could not endure the thoughts of being q spy.
Aler some conversation. however. re told the gen.
cral he would co. one condition, which was, that
IN any disaster should happen io him, the gen
cra should make the true state of the ci'e known,
ahd have The particulars published IA the New lcr-
~ey Gaze.Ie, that ~ - 'uach might come upon his
family and friends for his supposed misconduct To
this the general asscnted.
Morg m joiued the British camp AMI enlisted
Latiyetc left every Thing 90 his discretion but told
him that he wished intelligence VI important move
neni-. and moreover desired the Impression p1r'ic-
ulurly 10 DC ciycu, that he had boats enpugh 10
transport all his a'my across james river Morgan
had been little Time ~ the camp, when Lord
COrnwuils sent for Kim lrd a.Srd him many qnes-
lions. Tariinn with hin NJ lao time, and IN
qurcd nc Morgan among other things. how uany
boats General lafayette had IN the river He said
he Cld not know the exact number, hut he Ind been
told there enough to carry over all the army at
wallis 70 Tarlion. Il told Won this would not do
from winch 1t appeared thai they had this Pr"leci
an view.
The french feet In tho mean time arrivcd--Ia.
fayvIle had been ont 10 revonuOIre. aud when lac
returned he found six mcn in the British uniform,
and cHc green coated Hessan at has quarters, and
among them was Morgan. well. Morgan asked
the General with surprise, whom have YOU got
herc!' Five British soldiers, who have deserted
with me- and iiessian whom We captured al The
Cutpcsi," was lhe reply. lie went 10 say. that.
as the French fleet had arrived, and he presumed
hrs services could no longer be Of any use 10 his
General in the British camp. lac had returned, and
these deserters and this prisoner were the fruit Of
his expedition.
The General sent for Morgan The next day, aud
iold him that his conduct had been IN the highest
degree m-ri'uuous. and that he proposed to make
hun a sergeant Morgan listened % the proposal.
and sud he highly graiiiicd 10 have pleased
lbs commander, but declined the promotion. lie
added that hs believed himself gpod soldier. but
that he was by means cerdin he should make
good sergeant; that he joined The army from pin
clrle at duty and patriotism, because he believed
his country needed his services. and the same mo.
lives induced him 70 prefer station wher" he was
satisfied he should re the most useful The Cen
ernl then offered him money. hut this he refused
also. saying his circumstances were sIch at home
that he Did rot need money. "NEai. Then, can
ID for your inquired the General II have one Ia
vor 10 ask" replied Morgan. during my absence,
some person has takc1 my gan; | set great value
upon II. md, IL i can be restored il will give me
particular pleasure" The gun was described. and
the General issued an or,ler requiring II Ia he re.
turned. This all the reward that Morgan could
ever he preva led on io accept.
The above anecdo!c was related 20 me by Gcner
al Lafayette himself, noarly fny years aner tho
event. with much warmth OF feeling aad adInira
iun Of the soldiers mug ,animiiy