Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1854-12-14
Gbr 0uqs of l776.
Morgan and his Rifsemen.


4 SKETCH OF THE REVOLUTION
The outposts of the two armie
we're near TO each other, when tn
American commander, desi7ous {
obtaining particular information re
specting the position of his adverse
ry, summoned the famed leader Q
the Riflemen, Col. Daniel Morgan, t
headquarters.
1t was night, and the chief wa
alone. After his usual polite, ye
reserved and dignilied salutation
Washington remarked
4 have sent for you, Col. Morgan
to entrust to your courage and sa'
gacity a small but important enter
prise. | wish you to reconnoitre the
fenemy's line, with view to your as
certaining correctly the position o.
their newly-constructed redoubts;
also the eneampments of the British
troops that have lately arrived, and
those of their Hessian auxiliaries.
Select, sir, an officer, non-commission-
ed officer, and about twenty picked
men, and under coyerof the night
proceed, but with all caution; get as
near as you can, and by daydawn re-
tire and make your report to head
quarters. But mark me. Col. Nor
gan; mark me well; upon no account
whatever are you to bring on any
skirmish with the enemy. : If dis
covered, make speedy retreat; let
nothing induce you to fire a single
shot. | repeat, sir. that no force of
will excuse the dis
charge OF single rifle on your part;
and for the extreme preciseness Of
these orders, s,permit me to say, have
my reasons Filling two glasses of
wine, the General continued: And
now, Col. Morgan, we will drink a
good night, and success to your en-
terpriSe.
Col. Morgan quaffed the wine,
his lips, and assured His Ex-
oellency that his orders should be
punctually obeyed, and left the tent
1f the Commander-iu-C Chief.
Charmed at being chosen as the
executive officer of daring enter
Prise, the leader of the wooGsmen re-
paired to his quarters, and calling for
Gabriel Long, his favorite captain,
ordered him to detail a trusty SER
,eant and twenty prime fellows, who
oeing mustered, we're ordered to lay
IN their arms, ready at a moments
Morgan and Long stretched
heir manly forms before the watch
ire, to wait the going down Of the
noon, the signal of departure. I
A little after midnight, and while
he rays of the setting moon stiil
aintly glimmered in the western ho-
izon: up, Sergeant, cried Long,sstir
lp your men, and twenty athletic
igures we're on their feet in a mo-
nent. Indian file, march, and away
hey all sprang with the quick and
'et light and stealthy step OF the
goodsman. They reached the ene-
ny's line. craFled up SO close to the
tickets Of the Hessians as to inhale
he odor Of their pipes; discovered by
he newly-turned earth the position
# the redoubts, and by numerous
ents that dotted the field for many
roed around and showed dimly,
mid the light haze, the encampment
# the British and German reinforce
nents, and, in short, performed their
'erilous duty without the slightest
discovery, and pleased with them
elves and the success of their enter
rise, prepared to retire. just chan
icleor from neighboring farmhouse
7as sbidding salutatiOn to the morn.
The adventurous party reached a
mall emiuence at some distance from
he British camp, and commanding
= axtansiye prospect over the ada
ent country. Here Morgan halted
0 give his men little rest before
aking up his line of march for the
american outposts. Scarcely had
bey thrown themselves upon the
rass. when they perceived issuing
rom the enemy's advanced pickets .
ody Of horse, commanded by an oil,
icef, and proceeding along the ROAD
hat led directly by the spot where
he riaemen had halted. No spot
ould be better chosen from an am
'uscade, for there were rocks ana "a.
in es, and also scrubby oaks that