Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1861-11-27
sSete<t Iteref#t<.
DANIEL MORGAN,
And his american RiRlemen.
xnsaLrsIas sRr ssEsAAsa


The outposts Of the two armies were very
near each other, when the American CON-
mander dosirous Of obtaining particular In
formation respecting the position of his adj
verSary summoned the famed leader Of the
RiAemen, Col Daniel Morgan, to head quar-.
terS
1t was night, and the chief was alone
After his usually polite, yet reserved and
dignifed salHtation Washington remarked;
: | have sent for you, Colonel Morgan, to
entrust TO your courage and sagacity small,
but important enterprise. / wish you to
reconnoitre tho eneny's line, with view to
your ascertaining correctly the position of
their newly constructed Fedoubts, also the
encampment Of the British troops that have
lately arrived, and those of their Hessian
auxiliaries Select, sir, an officer, a non COM
missioned officer and about twenty picked
men, and under cover Of the night, proceed,
but with all precaution, get as bear you
can, and by day.dawn retire and make your
report to head quarters. But mark me, Col
Morgan mark me we'll; upon no account
whatever, are you to bring on skirmsh with
the enemy if discovered, make speedy re-
treat; let nothing induce you to to f4re sim
gle shot | repeat sir, that no force Of cir
cumstances will excuse the discharge Of
single rifle on your part; and for the extreme
preciSeness Of these Oh deIs, permit me to say,
have my reasons Filling two glasses of
wine, the General continued: And now
Colonel Morgan, We will drink good night,
and success to your enterprise Colonel
Morgan anafed the cup. snaeked his lipa,
and assured his Excellency that his order
should be punctually oheyed and left ihe
teiTt u The Commander irrsChief ~-41'--
Charmed at being chosen as the executive
officer of a daring enterprise, the leader of
the woods men repaired to his quarters, and,
calling for Gabriel Long, his fayorite Captain,
ordered him to detail trustv sergeant and
twenty prime fellows, who being mustered
are OF de, ed to lay on their arms, ready at a
moments warming Morgan and Long stretch
ed their manly forms before the watchhre, to
wait the going down of the moon, the signal
of departure
A little after midnight, and while the rays
of the setting moon still family glimmered
in the western horizon, up, Sergeant cried
Long, stir up your men, and twenty athletic
figures were on their feet in q moment. In
dian fle-march, and away they all sprung
with the quick, and yet light and steaithy
step of the woodsman. They reached the
enemy's line, crawled up so close to the pick
cts of the HeSsianS as to inhale the odor of
their pipes discovered by the newly turned
earth the position of the redOubts, and, by
the numerous tents which dotted the field for
'many a rood around and showed dimly,
amid the light haze the encampment OF the
British and German reihforcements, and, in
short, performed their perlous duty without
the slightest discovery, and pleased with
themselves and the success of their enterprise,
prepared to retii e. just as chanticleer from
q neighboring farmhouse was bidding Salu-
talon to the morn
The adventurous party reached small
eminence at some distance fl ON the British
camp and commanding an extensive prospect
over the adjacent country. Here Morgan hall
ted to give his men little rest, before taking
M his line of march TO the American out
POSTS Scarcely had they thrown themselves
upon the grass when they perceived issuing
from the enemys advance picketS, body Of
horse and proceeding along the road that led
directly to the spot where the rihemeR had
halted. No spot could be better chosen fer
an ambuscade for there were rocks and ra-
vines, and also scruhby oaks, that grew thick
lv on the emnencc by the road which we
have mentioned. passed, and not exceeding
n - ndred yards.
Down boys, down. cried Morgan, as ths
lolses approached; nor did the clansmen o
the Black Rode'ic disappear more promptly
amid thclI naUVe heatueT ItaIl morgan
woodSmen, in the present instance, each to
his tree or rock Lie close there, my lads
till we see what these fellows are about
Meantime, the horsemen had gained th
height, and the officer, dropping The rein oil
his chargers neck, with spy-glass reconnoi
tired the American lines. The troops closet
IN their files, and were either caressing III
noble animals they rode, adjusting their equip
ments, or gazing upon the.surrounding scene
ry. SO fast Frightening in the beams Of til
rising sun.
Morgan looked at Long and Long at hi
superior, while the ritlemen, with pantin
chests and sparkling eyes, were only await
ing some signal from their officers to let th
ruin hy'
At length tie martial ardor of Morgan
overcame his prudence and sense of mlitar
surbordination Forgetful Of consequences