The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1871-04-20


trackless, snow bound woods--oyer the
halfirozen streams-over the rocky
wastes and they, too, led by the daring
Dan, where pioneers in that grand bat.
hapeless assault on the British strong-
hold The chivalrous Montgomery felt
in the assaults, aud his division was dri5
ven back. ArGold was wounded, Nor
gan took commshd, and led the division
fairly within the enemy's works. Sue
cess seemed his, but, the repulse of the
cooperating division prccipitated the:
eutire British strength upon him; the
Americans were overpowcrcd, and made
prisoners.
Morgan, at length exchanged, Con-
gress made him Colonel, by Wash
ington's especial recommendation, early
in the year l777. The commander-in-
chiefwanted such spirits -mcn ou whom
to rely in moments of peril. The Rifle
Brigade was reformed and thence forward
served throughout the long struggle
Under Morgans lead it performed pro-
digies, never flinching from danger,
never depended upon and found want
Ing. When Burgoyne came in from the
north, Washington detached this brig
ade from his own immediate command,
ordering it to assist Gates against the
British lord aud his savage allies by
"hghtiug " them in their own way" This
the brigade did. The red warriors
found in the rihcmen most deadly foes,
and suffered so much as to become
afraid Of the battle. In all that cam
paign Morgan's men were alert, contrib
uting very much to the signal victory
which crowned the American arms.
Forced to retire from active service
in 1880, Morgan sought bis Gue farm
near Winchester, to regain his shattered
health. Rheumatism had seized upon
his stalwart frame the athlete was
almost helpless. But the cause could
not spare him. Congress hiadc him a
brigadier, and he once more took the
field, to help Greeue regain what was
lost by Gates at the bloody field of Cam.
den, S. c. august 10th, l7S0)
Morgan was detailed 10 tho pacolet
river region to rouse the people to re-
sistance. Tarleton's Dragons were fil-
ling all that section with terror by their
attrocious deeds. Brave men despaired,
aud women looked forward in dismay to
the end. Morgan, with five hundred
infantry, aud one hundred of the dra-
goons of Colonel Washington, led by
that tried officer, at once marched TO his
field Of operations, which contemplated
also forage movement into the district
"Niuety Six" Cornwallst dispatched
Tarleton with eleven hhudred chosen
infantry aud horse, and two field guns,
to intercept Morgan aud destroy him.
OF this the wide AWAKE American had
timely warning, and retired to good
positiou at "Cowpcns," near the upper
iords of Broad river, before Tarleton
could come up with him, in bis head
long pursuit Con the morning Of january
l7th. l78i1 e g.i ss'
Morgan's management of this affair
strikingly illustrated his traits and
character, and his sagucity, Hcrefased
To cross Broad river, fearing that then
his militia would desert him; but, in.
stead, gave all his force a good nights
rest, SO that when Tarleton came up,
jaded with his long and eager quest oI
the yankee" he found, to his amaze.
ment, a battle line TO receive him.
Against this line of militia Tarletou
precipitated his horse, breaking the
ranks, as Morgan anticipated he would
do; but, when the British bayonets came
forward a second line was revealed
This line was finally broken, when the
enemy thought their victory secure, aud
followed on up the hill pursuit. But
a third line suddenly burst upon them
over the hill crest, composed Of Wash
ington's dragons. The second line
quickly reforming, under Morgan i
lead, sustained the dragoons nobly, and
swept all before them. Terrible hand.
to-hand fighting succeeded. Tarleton's s
dragons were cut to piacos by the ia.
fariated patriots; Tarleton only saved
himself by fight, having literally lost
all-his guns, his eolors, aud oycT three
fourths of his foros.in killed, wounded
and prisoners. The great destroyer had,
at last, found his equal. aud was himself
destroyed. 80
Although closely pursued by Corn
wallis--then only tweuty.six miles dis
tant--Morgan moved with such celebrity
aided by Pfoyidential iise in the Ca
tawba river, that he escaped with bis
prisoners, and rejoiued Greene's main
force Ian act then regarded as one ol
| yraaf p,sl,forv foarit