The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1865-09-06
[From the Plain Dealer.l
Our Nominee for Governor.
Gen. GEORGE w. MORGAN,
of Eknox County.


complishedD Diplomatic ~ Glorious
Gentleman, aud u True, Unxva-
vering DemOcrat--A Sketch of
His Varied Career.
We have the pleasure Of announcing to
the Democracy that the State Convention,
held at Columbus yesterday, with won
derful unanimity, selected as the standard
bearer of the Democracy of Ohio, Gen.
GEORGE w. MORGAN, of Knox coun-
ty. Familiar as we are with his varied
career, and knowing his antecedents so
we'll, we have briefly sketched some of the
most important incidents in the life Of
the man nominated by the representatives
of 100000 Democrats to lead the column
in the great political struggle of 1865.
Gen. Morgan, although identified with
the history of Ohio for nearly quarter
of century, is native of Pennsy lvania.
He was born in Washington County, in
that State, in the year 1920, and comes
lineally, on both sides of his family, from
revolutionary stock-his paternal grand
father having filled the post of Colonel in
Washington's army. and his mother being
a daughter of Col. Duane, Of the Phila-
delphia Aurora, the well-known organ of
Jefferson's S administration.
In early childhood Gen. Morgan had
the good fortune to live in community
blessed with good schools; and after ac-
quiriRg the advantages to be obtained in
them, he entered the college located in his
native town to avail himself of the op-
portunities for acquiring liberal educa-
ton. But, while yet mere boy, not yet
sixteen years of age, Gen. Morgan, fred
with sympathy for the Texans in their
struggle for independence, abandoned his
class room, and as private soldier join
ed volunteer company, raised and taken
out by his brother in aid of that people.
Within few months after he had entered
that service Gen. Sam Houston rendered
young Morgan I'd Lieutenant's commits
sion in the regular army of Texas. For
his skill in suppressing mutiny on Gal
weston Island,he was promoted before the
close of the first year, to a 1st Lieuten-
antey, and at the age of eighteen years he
held Captains commission in the regu-
lar service of the infant republic. Seeing
little probability of any further fighting
betwean Mexico and Texas, the young
emigrant soldier returned to his home ,and
for the next few years devoted his efforts
to making up lost time in his studies.
Gen. Morgan is by education lawyer,
and at the outbreak of the Mexican war,
was in the first years Of promising prac-
tice, at the bar of Mt. Vernon, Knox
County.
At the first summons for volunteers, he
enrolled his name as private in COM
pany raised at his home. He was elect
ed its first Captain; and on reaching Camp
Washington, the excellent drill and dis
cipline of his company led to his election
as Colonel of>the regiment cd Ohio) to
which it was attached. At the expiration
of the term of enlistment of this regi-
ment, Morgan was met on his way home
| by commission assigning him to the
command of the 18th U. S. Infantry, one
of the new regular regiments. This new
appointment transferred him from Tay-
| lor's army on the Rio Grande to Scott's
| line from Vera Cruz to Mexico. Overta.
king the main army at Puebla, he partic.
ipated in the perils attendant on its ad
vance on Mexico, until at Cherubusco, he
was seriously wounded whilst leading {
charge on the enemy's works, For gal
lantry in this and other engagements, he
received the brevet of Brigadier General
| On the termination of the war with
Mexico, Gen. Morgan returned to Mt
| Vernon, and, with renewed ardor and sue
cess, resumed the practice of his profes
sion until his health, which had been Sc
riously affected by the exposure of mill
tary life, gave way to such an extent a:
rendered voyage at sea and change o.
climate desirable. Informed of Gen
| Morgan's intention, President Pierce (wht
had served with him in Mexico) gladly
availed himself of the Generals sojourr
on the Mediterranean to place the Amer
ican Consulate at Marseilles under hii
care; and in one or two years afterwards
whilst still absent from the country, ht
was selected ,en the unanimous recommen
dation of the Ohio delegation in Con
gress, to represent his country as its Min
lister at the Court of Portugal. In 1861
having been relieved from that position
to make way for supporter of Mr.. Lin
coins election, Gen. Morgan returned t.
| the United States, and Immediately ten.
dered his services to put a stop to armed
rebellion and maintain the Union. After
remaining brief period with his family
from whom he had been separated severa
years, he accepted commission as Briga
dier General that had been rendered him
and was Immediately assigned to the com
mand of an independent division, com
posed of four brigades of infantry. foul
batteries of artillery, and one battalion O
cavalry. With this force, equally to the
delight and surprise of both army and
people, he captured Cumberland Gap
holding it firmly in his grasp until the in
vasion of Kentucky by Bragg and Kirby
Smith had cut him off from all supplies
and left him, as was feared, an easy prey
to the opposing forces BY which he was
surrounded The skill and gallantry with
which that noble little army was delivered
by its leader from the fate which seemed
inevitable, caused flash of JOY all over
the land, and were the subject of high
eulogy by the public press without dis