The Placer herald., 1858-11-20
Life Of General Morgan.
A Review of Graham's Life General Daniel Nor
gan lately issued.


A certain mythical halo has hitherto sur
rounded the history Of the old Virginia wag-
oner, whose prowess was an important feat
ure in the successful assertion to our nation
independence The writer Of this volume
has had access to various authentic materials,
consisting of the manuscript correspondence
of Gen. Morgan with Washington, Greene
Lafayette Jefferson, Hamilton, and many
other distinguished men Of the Revolutionary
era, together with valuable contributions
from persons who were in possession of trust
worthy sources of information. For the
first time, accordingly, we have complete
biographical narrative of Morgan's military
career, and are enabled to form an adequate
estimate of his services to the cause of the
Revolution.
General Morgan, as his name indcs IS,
was Of Welsh extraction. His parents were
among the emigrants from that country who
settled on the banks of the Delaware between
the years 1920 and 1890. He was born in
1896, in the county of Hunerdon, New
Jersey, but before he became of age his resi-
dence was removed to Virginia. His early
education was entirely neglected. When
first known in his adopted State he could
scarcely read, was unable to write legible
hand, and had but slight knowledge of the
first rules of arithmetic. His manners were
rude and unpolished From the time that
he was able to labor, he was kept con-
stantly at work by his father in clearing land,
splitting fence rails, and IN performing other
tasks belonging to a robust boy an an unim-
proved farm. His departure from home was
owing to misunderstanding with his father,
and was without the knowledge or consent
Of either Of his parents His first employ
ment in Virginia was on farm in Berkeley
county. lie at once showed himself to be
very Industrious and capable Of performing
a large amount of labor. His first task was
to grub up a piece of rough land for which
he was to be paid by the acre. He perform
ed this so satisfactorily that he soon had
plenty of employment Of the same kind, and
was at length n.aged to superintend a saw
mill. In this business he remained for
nearly year, when he obtained a situation
as WAGNER, in the service of neighboing.
trader At that time, the employment was
profitable and an important one. There
were no steamboats, nor railroads, and sup
plies for the region west of the Blue Ridge
were transported in wagons from the cider
settlements east of that range of mountains.
The wages Morgan received were much bet
ter than those which he had earned at the
sawmill. Besides, he had already formed
the design Of becoming wagner on his
own account as soon as he could purchase
wagon and horses, and in little more than
two years he set up in the business for him
self. During this period his personal inn
provement was no less striking than the fa-
vorable change in bis circumstances. The
halftormed boy had developed into a man;
his mental growth had received a strong i'm
pulse; and he became great favorte with
his companions by reason Of his strength
and spirit his frank and good humored bear
ING, and his rich fund Of natural wit which
he kept in constant exercise. His habits
and manners harmonized with those of the
people by whom he was surrounded, and the
traits of character which he displayed natur-
ally destined him to become their leader.
While pursuing his occupation as wagon
err, he was called to exercise his energies in a
more important sphere. The advance of
Braddocks army through wide extent of
wilderness, required ample means of trans
portation, and it was not easy to obtain the
necessary supply of horses and wagons.
Mo,gan was induced to join the expedition,
which promised adventures entirely congeni
al with his bold and resoute spirit He
thus reinquished his peaceful pursuits, and
commenced his military career in the hum
bic capacity of a teamster. During this
march an incident occurred which gave him
fresh reputation as a young fellow of daunt-
less pluck.
"a difficulty arose between the captain of
a company of Virginia troops Ito which
Morgan was attached in his capacity of wag-
oner, his wagon being laden with their bag
gage,) and a powerful fellow who accompan-
led the army, and who had the reputation of
being skful pugilist and bully. 1t was
agreed between the disputants that upon the
first halt the matter should be settled by a
| fight. AS soon as the company halted for
dinner, the captain stepped out to meet his
antagonist, when he was accosted by Nor
gam
"'Captain,' said he, you must not fight
that man.
"'Why not?' inquired the officer.
"'Because,' replied Morgan, you are our
captain, and if the fellow was to lick you, we
should be all disgraced. But, will fight
him, and if he licks me, it will not hurt the
credit of the company
"The captain demonstrated; but disliking
the necessity of placing himself on a level
with blackguard, and perceiving that his
antagonist was perfectly willing to accede
to the arrangement, he consented. Morgan,
stripping himself, at once engaged the bully,
and in a very short space of time, gave him
so severe beating that he was unable to
rise from the ground. The prowess display