The Placer herald., 1858-11-20

"Ihe momentary confusion caused by these
events, brought Morgan to the front just as
Arnold was struck down. 1t was at this
crisis in the conflict, that Morgan, at the in
stance and in compliance with the express
wishes of all the field officers of the division
who were present, assumed the direction of
the assault They would not take the COM
mand,' he observes, in short sketch written
by himself Of his early military career, al
leging that had seen service and they had
not which reflected credit on their Judgment
Morgan now raised his voice, always terrible
in the hour of battle, and which was heard
above the din of arms, ordering his riAemen
to the front. They obeyed the summons
with cheer, and without a moments hesita-
tion or delay, rushed over the barrier, driving
before them, like chaf, the enemy posted
there. A short distance beyond the barrier
was battery extending across the road, and
fanked by the houses on either side, on
which were mounted two twelve-pounders.
AS the rfemen advanced against the battery,
the guns charged with grape and canister,
opened on them. The first gun was elevated
too high, and did no injury; the other flash
ed without discharging, when the rihemen
reached the walls and planted their ladders
Morgan ordered man near him to ascend
one Of the ladders. Ierceiving that the
soldier reluctantly obeyed, Morgan pulled
him down, and stepping on the ladder him
self, shouted to bis men, Now, boys follow
me.' The ladders were instantly manned.
AS soon as Morgan's head appeared above
the wall, platoon of musketry was fired at
him from within. So close was the discharge
that the fire scorched his hair, and grains of
powder were imbedded in his face. But this
was the only injury he sustained, although
one ball passed through the top of his cap,
and another grazed the left side of his face,
cutting of lock of his hair. The concus-
sion was SO great, however, as to knock
him from the top of the ladder down into
the snow below. For moment the ascent
was checked in the elief tina, he was killed.
But he was instantly on his feet again, and
had recommended ascending the ladder
Another cheer rose from his men as they fol-
lowed his example. Keeping his head down
un il he reached step near the top of the
ladder, he made spring and bounded over
the wall among the enemy. He was instant
y followed by his men, among the foremost
of whom was Cadet Porterfield and Lieut.
Heth. Morgan, in his descent, aighted on
one of the cannon, under the muzzle of
which he fell, severely hurt by confusion
on the knee. A dozen bayonets were in
stantly evelcd at him; but the situation in
which he fell created delay sufficiently long
to enable his men, who now came pouring
over the wall, to rescue him and attack his
assalants.
"Ihe enemy, daunted by the impetuosity
of the assault, made but feeble resistance,
and at length fled into building fanking
the battery, from the windows of which,
however, they renewed the conflict. They
were speedily disodged by the rifemen,
who, by Morgan's orders, fired a voley
into the house, which was followed by a
charge with their spontoons. The enemy
were driven through the building, and out at
the rear into neighboring street. Morgan
ran through a salyport at one end of the
battery and thence round the corner of a
building. Here, as he anticipated, he met
the retreating British, whom he ordered, in
a menacing tone, to surrender, if they ex-
pected quarter. Capt. McCloud and about
80 of his men were thus made prisoners"
The Americans were at length compelled
to surrender, a measure which was wholly
repugnant to Morgan's wishes and tastes.
"On being summoned by some Of the
enemy's soldiery to deliver up his sword, he
peremptorily refused compliance, but plac-
ing his back against a wall, with the wea-
pom in his hand, he dared any one of
their number to come and take it. He per-
sisted in this determination, notwithstanding
the threat of the soldiers to shoot him, and
the exhortations of his men not to sacrifice
his life in useless opposition. At length per-
ceiving man near at hand, whom he took
by his dress to be clergyman, he asked him
if he was not priest. Being answered in
the affirmative, Morgan delivered his sword
to the clergyman, observing, Then | give my
sword to you; but not scoundrel OF those
towards shall take it out of my hands,"
In April, 1777, Morgan, having been re-
leased from his parole by an exchange of
prisoners, rejoined the army at Morrstown,
with a regiment of about one hundred and
eighty men. He had previously y received a
Colonels commission from Congress. The
COMMANDMENTS Chief welcomed him with
marked kindness. lie was placed at the
head of a select corps of sharp-shooters, the
formation of which had long been favorte
plan with Washington. 1t consisted of five
hundred picked men, of hardy and active
habits, accustomed to the woods, and skilful
in the use of the rifle Their duty was to
keep a wgilant eye upon the enemy, and
attack his hanking parties wherever an op-
portunity was presented. After performing
efficient service against the Hessians and
British in New Jersey, he was ordered to the
North to engage in the operations for check
ing the advance of Burgoyne. At the head
Of his corps he proceeded without delay to
| .pbono ho u,ifh q nordi al orroofin