Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1855-12-26

SOIpS WHICH was Q6SGlQeQS u1QeT M0kN
CAMS command to perform more effective
service than any single corps in the Revo-
luton.
/ Whether MoRaAN took any part in the
siege of Boston, we are not informed; bat,
being ordered to the army in Canada tiu-
der the lead of the gallant Montgomery, he
marched through the SHOWS of the follow
ing winter with hislittle company, aud took
part in the siege Of Quebec. In that bold
but unsuccessful attack. the gallantry. he.
roism. and resources of the Virginia Cap
tain, were signally displayed. The soul
OF that portion of the army which entered
the city, environed with dangers which
made the stoutest quail, MoRGKN was COM
PEELED, after the most heroic efforts, 10
surrender to the superior force of the ene>
my.
Thus were Morgan and his corps, in
Jan. 1875, in the power of the enemy, and
among the first captives taken by them.
Morgan remained prisoner until the
summer of 1875, when he was exchanged
and returned to his country.
How long before he again joined the ar
my we cannot ascertain but early in
1877, it appears that, under the orders Of
Gen. Washington, a select corps of Rifle
men was formed, to be placed under the
command of Col. Morgan. From this time
to the end of the northern campaign un-
der Gen. Gates, Morgan and his Riflemen
were as much cherished by the American,
as they were dreaded by the British ar
nay.
His service under Washington was of
that active partisan character SO we'll adap-
ted to the peculiar traits of his military
nature. To watch the movements OF a
powerful enemy, to elude his stratagema,
and by strategy to strike bold and hurtful
blows at his power-these were the OBJ
jects to which he was directed by the sa>
gacity Of Washington, and the attainment
Of which realized his expectations and met
with his unqualified appreciation. During
the whole jersey campaign of 1777 the
value of Morgan and his corps was univer-
sally recognized, and appreciated by none
more highly than by him whose censure
always followed the slightest neglect Of
duty, and whose praise, when bestowed,
was the surest test Of the highest merit.
But Morgau's genius was destined. by
the wisdom Of the greatleader, to larger
and more conspicuous service.
The successes Of Burgoyne in the North
did not escape the vigilant eye of WASH
lngton and, at the expense of weakening
his own immediate command, he dispatch-
ed TO the aid Of the moro northern army
soon afterwards under the lead Of Gen.
Gates, several Of his own regiments, and
| among them, the already distinguished
corps of Col. Morgan.
Goor ~, H. r.
Col. Morgan, with his corps, became en-
gagged as the leading force at the battle OF
Saltwater. Burgoyne was advancing up
on the American army and Morgan waa
placed in its van to oppose his progress.
He attacked and drove back the advanced
guard of the enemy and, supported by
Gen. Arnold, maintained his position
through the day against the full brunt of
the English army. The success, though
not signal victory, was 80 decided in its
effects as to have cast the dark shadow Of
the coming disaster at Saratoga upon the
fortunes of the British general.
In the engagement which followed the
battle of Saltwater, Col. Morgan and his
corps were much distinguished; and. when
the British army surrendered, no one was
moro entitled than he to the name Of the
Hero of Saratoga.
AS an evidence OF the high esteem in
which Morgan's corps was held by Gates
and by Washington, the fact may be men
toned that, Immediately after hearing Of
the battle of Saltwater, which decided the
campaign in favor of Gates, Washington
wrote requesting the return of Morgan as
necessary for his own offensive operations.
Gates, declined, saying Significantly. your
excellency would not wish me to part with
the corps the army Of Gen. Burgoyno is most
gfaid Of
| In December. 1777, Morgan, however.
had returned to Washington's army, and
was engaged in the active skirmishes which
were ventured before they went into win
ter Quarters at Valley Forge.
The terrors Of those long winter months,
during which an uncIothed, almost naked,
army, without sufficient provisions, endu-
red with passive resolution the seventies
Of climate and privations unparalleled, were
all met by the heroic Morgan, as by his
comrades, with fortitude which merits
everlasting remembrance. Valley Forge
was the darkest spot in the History of tho
u Revolution.
i But even then Morgan was not mac
two. His ardent and daring nature was
put in requisitition to obtain supplies for
his friends. and to cut them off from the
enemy and in so far as vigilance aud en-
ergy could accomplish their purposes, it
was done.
During the summer campaign of 1878.
Col. Morgan did his duty with efficiency
in the battle of Monmouth and the skir-
mishes which proceeded and followed it.
The tide of war which, to the end Of The
campaign of 1878. had then sat SO strong
ly against the northern States Was now
directed towards Georgia and the Caro-
L linas. During the camnairn of 177q