Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-02-27
Exploits of Morgan.


the exploits of General Morgan, from forthcoming
pamphlet entitled "West Point and Political Generals
The writer after expressing his conviction of the high
place which the ultimate verdict Of the military world
will assign in history to S.Ouewa Jackson Price and
Morgan, says:
"By the verdict Of the military world is meant tie
conclusion which impartial studious and experienced
military men IN other countries finally arrive after DOS
sessing themselves carefully of ficts-afer obtaining
correct of the real achievements of leader
Of the features and nature Of the country in which he
Operated-othe length aud date of his marches-of the
extent nature and condition of his orces-of the
force coaitou position and movements of his adver
sre aud Of the difficulties he or they had to
ter.
This vealct is in no wise affected by the temporary
popu aty acquired through such the patriotic
grateful interested enthusiasm of editors their
leaders of correspondents and members OF military
family in their letters, proclairnng generals whilst still
uutried, like Pope the greatest commanders of the
age, cOngraulating the country on possessing the
most brilliant galaxy of military genius the world has
Witnessed and falling into ecstaees Changes
OF Base and mastery retreats
"We have Morgan whose exploits throw far into the
shade those Of Marion, Sumter, aud of every other
leader of irregular cavalry authenticated record That
Is 20 say, that beginning with small body of horse
raised by himself land with she forces which be subse
qysny raised mounted aud armed constantly abstract
cd from his cOmmand) he has captured than four
teen thousand prisoners. Not merely detached eompa-
mes, surprised ~ superior numbers whilst guarding
aims stores aud 6agage-Rot mercy teamSters quarter
masters men, and iders accompanying them, but fire.
quen u soldiers in superior numbers, with the advau-
tsge vi POSITION, and after desperate aud sangunary con-
fict
:" Ia brief capturing more prisoners nAicting more
loss OF life and destroying nose hostile property than
all the OF the Confederate cavalry Of the Mis-
siSspD river and ali the Federal cavalry put together
since The beginning o. the war.
This statement mas appear strong but it is never
the!e one. the reader may verify by reference
10 accompanying facts aud figures It implies no dis.
pardgement Of the exploits OF such officers Forrest
Stuart, Van Dorn Wharton or Wheeler. Il is not that
they have done less, but that Morgan has done more"
We now proceed extract the note appended BY the
author in Justification of this seemingly bold assertion
SOrE,
Nor is Morgan a mere partiz,n leader. In over fifty
battles encounters and skmishes operating hundreds
OF miles away from support in the midst of oyerwhelm
ing forces whose strength was multiplied by railroads
and telegraphs, he but twice had fight forced
upon him. and his operations independent Of the loss
they inflicted on the enemy, evidence high strategic
design and secured strategic results of great importance
to main arinies II is proposed in this to
give the romantic and interesting incidents
connected with rs exploits aud in possession of the
writer. These, in some fdsurs communication, will be
laid in further detail before the reader IL is only here
intended to call attention 70 few bald but suggestive,
facts illustrative Of portion Of his remarkable
Previous to july An, 1862, Morgan had acquired
nearly as much celebrity he enjoys present. By
two successive Generals at least he seems to have been
appreciated-by Gen. Htrdee. who is understood to
have early recommended that he should be made Major
General and by Gen. Beauregard who authorized him
TO select his own officers
In Nay 1862 with leo horse, ne made the frat raid