Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1856-05-01
DANIEL MORGAN AND HIS AMERICAN
RIFLEMEN.

The outposts Of the two armies were very
near to each other, when the commander,
desirous of obtaining particular information
respecting the position of the adversary,
summoned the famed leader Of the Rifemen,
Colonel Daniel Morgan, to head quarters.
1t was night and the chief was alone.-
After his usual polite, yet reserved and Dig,
sI.hare sent for you. Colonel Morgan. TO
entrust to your courage and sagaclty small,
but important enterprise. wish you to re-
connoitre the cnemy's line, with view to
your ascertaining correctly the position OF
their newly constructed redoubts, also the
encampments of the British troops that have
lately arrived; and those Of their liesslan
auxiliaries. Select, sir, an officer, non-com-
missioned officer, and about twenty picked
men, and under cover of the night, proceed,
but, with all caution, get as near as you can
and by day dawn retire and make your re-
port to headquarters. But mark me, Col.
Morgan, mark me we'll; upon no account
whatever are you to bring Oh any skirmish
with the enemy; if discovered, make spec
dy retreat; let nothing induce you to fire a
single shot. [ repeat, sir, that no force OF
circumstances will excuse the discharge OF a
sing gle rife on your part; and for the ex-
treme preciseness of these orders, permit me
to say, I have my reasons" Filling two
glasses of wine, the General continued =
ssAnd now, Col. Morgan, we will drink te
a good night, and success to your enter
prise" Col Morgan quaffed the wine
smacked his lips, and assured his Excellen
cy that his orders should be punctually O.
|beyed, and left the tent of the Commander
in-Chief
Charmed at being chosen as the executive
officer of daring enterprise, the leader O
the woodsmen repaired to his quarters, anc
calling for Gabriel Long, his favorite cap
tain, ordered him to detail a trusty sergcan
and twenty prime fellows, who, being mus
tered and ordered to lay on their arms
ready at moments warning, Morgan an'
Long stretched their manly forms before tn
watch-fre to wait the going down Of tn
Imoon, the signal of departure.
A little after midnight, and while the ray
of the setting moon still family glimmere'
in the western horizon, cup, Sergeant,
cried Long, ''stir up your men" and twcn
Ity athletic figures were on their feet In
moment. s'Indian file, march, and ava
they all sprung with the quick, and yet ligh
and stealthy step of the woodsman: The
! reached the enemy's line, crawled up S
close to the picl1ets of the Hessians as to in
hale the odor of their pipes; discovered b
the newly-turned earth the position of tn
redoubts, and by the numerous tents ths
dotted the field for ''many rod around,
: and showed dimly, amid the light haze, tb
encampment of the British and German re
inforcements, and, in short performed the
, perilous duty without the slightest discove
ry, and, pleased with themselves and tn
success of their enterprise, prepared to re
tire, just as chanticleer from a neighbol
: ing farmhouse was bidding salutation
: the morn"
S The adventurous party reached sma
K eminence at some distance from the BIRTHS
S camp, and commanding an extensive pro
k pect over the adjacent country: Here Mo
gan halted to give his men little rest b.