Bloomington herald. [volume] (Bloomington, I. T. [Iowa]) 1840-1849, 1841-04-02
Morgan.

After COrnWalllS S ARRIVAL III virginia, lie
sought for an opportunity to escape into North
Carolina, but the address and vigilance of La
fayeste disconnected all his schemes. After
the British commander arrived at Yorktown
and commenced his Notifications, says Mr..
Sparks, Lafayette asked Colonel Barber if he
knew Of trusty, capable soldier, whom he
could send as spy into Cornwallls's camp.
He answered that there was one in the New
Jersey line, by the name of Morgan, who was
in all respects suited to such an enterprise
The general sent for him, and told him that he
had a very difficult task to propose to him,
which was, that he should pretend to desert,
90 over to the British camp, and enlist az a
soldier. Morgan answered, that he was ready
to do any thing in the service of his country,
and to cblge his general, but that his feelings
reyolted at such proposal. He must assume
the character of spy, and if detected, he wo'd
not only lose his life, but bring lasting dis
srace upon his name. He desired the reputa-
ton Of GOOD soldier, and a Jealous, true low
er OF his country, but he could not endure the
thought of being spy. After some conversa-
ton. however, he told the general that he would
90, on one condition, which was, that in case
any disaster should happen to him, the general
should make tire true state Of the case known,
and have the particulars published in the Now
JERSEY gazettes, that no reproach mig ht come
upon his family and friends for his supposed
misconduct. 10 this the general assented.
Morgan Joined the British camp and enlisted.
LAFAYETTE left it all to his discretion, but told
him that he wished intelligence Of important
movements, and moreover desired the Impress
ion particularly to be given, that he had boats
enough to transport all his army across James
river. Morgan had been little time in camp
when Lord CORVALLIS sent for him and ask
ed him many questions. Tarleton was with
him at the time, and inquired Of Morgan among
other things, how many boats General Lafay-
cite had on the river. He said he did not know
the exact number, but he had been told there
were enough to carry over all the army at
moments warning. There! exclaimed Corn
wallis to Tarleton, Il told you this would not
dos from which it appeared that they had this
project in view.
The French fleet in the meantime arrived.
General Lafayette had been out to reconnoi-
tire, and when he returned he found six men in
the British uniform and one green coated Hes
sian at his quarters and among them was Nor
gan. well, Morgan asked the general with
surprise, 'whom have you got here!' Five
British soldiers, who have deserted with me,
and Hessian whom we captured at the out
post was his reply. He went on to say, that,
as the French feet had arrived, and he presu-
med his services could no longer be of any use
to his general in the British camp, he had re-
turned, and these deserte,s and the prisoner
were the fruits of his expedition.
The general sent for Morgan the next day
and told him that his conduct had been in the
highest degree meritorious, and that he propo-
sed to make him sergeant Morgan listened
to the proposal, and said he was highly graft
fed TO have pleased his commander, but decli-
ned the promotion. He added that he believ.
ed himself good soldier, that he was by no
means certain he should make good sergeant;
that he joined the army from principle of du.
ty and patriotism, because he believed his
country needed his services, and the same mo-
tives induced him to prefer station where he
was satisfied he should be the most useful
The general then offered him money, but this
he refused also, saying his circumstances were
such at home that he did not need money!
What then can do for you!' inquired the
general. i have one favor TO ask replied
Morgan. During my absence some person
has taken my gun; l set great value upon it,
and, if it can be restored, it will give me par
ticular pleasure The gun was described,
and the general issued an order requiring it to
be returned. This is all the reward that Nor
gan could ever be prevailed on to accept.
The above anecdote was related to me by
General Lafayette himself, nearly fifty years
after the event, with much warmth of feeling
and admiration of the soldiers magnanmi,y.
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