Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-09-11
THE DAILY PRESS.
wRDNBsDAY..,.....~...n~sRPTEMBRR n
A set-to Between a Major General and a
Wnauner.


WaaOner.
The following anecdote is highly charao-
teristic Of the period Of our history in which
it occurred, and of the persons to whom it
relates:
Captain Crawford, of Virginia-the same
who afterward, under the name Of Colonel
Crawford, was taken prisoner, inhumanly
tortured, and murdered by the Indians
was marching company from the frontiers
of bis own State to the Ohio River. The oc-
casion is not exactly known; il might have
been during Braddock's expedition in 1893,
or in some OF the expeditions previous to
Dunmores war; which occurred in IVA.
From the ages of the parties, we rather iu-
cline to the former date. Crawford's men
were, of course, hunters and farmers from
the outskirts of the Virginia settlements
most probably young, daring, hardy volun-
teers, Of the same class as the pioneers who
shortly after that period over-ran the forests
of Kentucky; and he himself was bold,
enterprising man. Previous TO his leaving
the neighborhood of the settlements, Craw-
ford, from some accident, found himself IN
want of the means Of transportation for
some Of his baggage or stores; and, at
place where he halted in the woods, fortun-
ately fell in with a WAGNER who had stop
ped to rest his horses at the same spot In
euch an emergency, Captain Crawford felt
no hesitation in pressing the team and its
driver into the service and accordingly
communicated mis- designs to the WAGNER.
The latter, highly incensed, was inclined to
resist what he considered an oppressive acG
but he was alone, in the midst of q military
band who were ready and able, at word,
to enforce their commanders order The
WAGNER was great, gigantic, two hsted,
square built fellow, WHO bore on his face
the marks of many hard fought battle.
lie was, in fact o noted bruiser. He re-
Ceived Captain Cr0wford's order with an
air of great dissatisfaction, and remained
for moment silent, looking su,leuly at the
troops, as if Indignantly measuring their
strength against his own weakness. He
then observed to the Captain, that it was
hard to be forced to go against his own
will-that every man ought to have fair
Chance--that he had not a fair chance in
asmuch as the odds were so great against
him as to deprive him Of the power Of pro-
tecting his own right. lie would, however,
make a proposition, which he thought the
Captain was bound in honor to acCede to-
II will fight you," said he, cor any man
in your company. If am whipped, l will
90 with you cheerfuliy; but if | conquer,
you must let me off"
In making this proposal, the wagner
showed himself an able negotiator. Il'
either knew Crawford's character. or 1T
had read it during the interview. The Cap
tain was an expert woodsman, stout, activ
and chivalrous, and prided himself on hi
personal prowess, for which he had already
bc cyo Anpli in Il,
the wagner challenge might have SCENE,
to indicate want of manhood-it nigh
have lessened him in the eyes of his men
and his own disposition and code OF ethics
perhaps, suggested that the WAGNER wa
entitled, in Justice, TO the fair chance whic
he claimed. He accordingly accepted tn
challenge, and both parties began 10 stri
for the combat.
At this moment q tall young man, VIII
had recently joined the company, and wa
q stranger to most of them, who had bee
leaning carelessly against tree, eyeing tn
scene with apparent uncOncern, steppet
forward, and drew Crawford aside.
Captain" said he, "you must let M
fight that man; he will whip you"
Crawford was not willing to appear to bac
out but the youth insisted that TO have tn
Captain beaten, which would be the resul
If he persisted, would Carnish the homo
of the company; and moreover, that he him
self was the only man who could whip tn
Wagoner. The confidence of the youth, ant
something about him which inspired con
tidence in others, enabled him to carry hi:
point Captain Crawford having done all
that policy required in accepting the chal-
lenge, very prudently suffered himself to be
persuaded by his men TO let the stranger
take his place.
The two combatants were soon stripped
and prepared for the fight. There was a
great disparity i'll their appearance the
odds being decidedly in favor Of the wag-
oner. lie was in the vigor of life, big,
muscular, hardened by exposure, and ex-
perience in affairs of this kind. The youth,
who, when clad in his hunting skirt, seemed
slender now showed himself to be young
giant. His frame had not yet acquired the
1ullness, the compactness, and the yigor of
ripe manhood which it afterward possessed
to so high degree-hs limbs seemed to be
losely hung together, but his bones and
muscles were enormous, and his eye full of
courage.
The conflict, though bloody, was short
The wagner was completely and terribly
beaten. The youth sprung On him with the
1erocity of an enraged tiger, and the battle
was no longer doubtful. Wherever the tre-
mendous fist of the youth struck it inflicted
a severe wound. The blood followed every
blow; and the wagner, who had been the
victor in many hard fought field, in few
minutes lay mangled and exhausted at the
feet Of his vanquisher, who was but little
if at all hurt
That youth was Daniel Morgan, who had
now, for the first time, taken the field
against the enemies of his country, as
private soldier, who afterward rose to the
rank of Nlaior-General who so often LED
our armies in battle, and who was, perhaps
more frequently engaged with the enemy
than any other officer Of the American Revo
luton He was as celebrated for his ac
tivity, strength and personal courage, al
for his military genius; and the abeve i
one of a great number Of incidents in hi
life, which attest his almost incredibl
bodily power.
A MINISTER travelling where the road wa
difficult to find, requested a man by tn
Way-side to direct him, naming the plaC
where he wanted to 60.
"Well," said the hedger and ditcher, "kee
on just as you are going about mile an
a half; there at the cross roads you wi
see a minister, who will direct you to IL
left couple of miles, and there at the for
8 tba road 10 anofhaT m mi iatar rho will n