Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1899-02-16
COL. WIN. A. MORGAN DEAD.
The Gallant Ex-Confederate Dies Suddenly at
His Home Near Shepherdstown.

dents OF this section OF West Virginia,
died suddenly about six o'clock Tues
day evening at his home near Shep-
herdstown. His death was entirely
unexpected by his family, and it came
as an equally sudden shock to the
people of this community, for scarcely
halls a dozen persons knew that ne was
sick. He bad been in town on Satur-
day, apparently in his usual health,
and had been seen and greeted by
many of his friends,
He became i'll about 3 o'clock Tues
day morning. Members of his family
administered rem dies, as 1t was i'm
possible to get to town for physician
at that time on account of the snow,
the roads being entirely unbroken. No
one in his home had any idea that he
was dangerously i'll. Shortly before
six o'clock in the evening the Colonel
seemed to grew worse. His son-ln-law,
State Senator H. c Getzendanner, who
was home from Charleston for brief
visit, started for town to bring physl-
clan. He had gone but a few mo-
ments when the Colonel gave gasp,
hi, head fell back, and he was dead.
He Was sitting in chair talking to
his daughter, Mrs Getzendanner, and
so suddenly did the summons come
that he died with a sentence half ut
tered. Heart disease is supposed to
have caused his death.
William A. Morgan was born on
March 80, 1881, near Mount Vernon,
Fairfax county, Va. He was the son
of Jacob and Mary Smith Morgan.
The family came to Jefferson county
in April, 1887, and he grew to man
hood at the homestead about a mile
from Shepherdstown. In 1854 he mar
ried Anna J. Smith, daughter of Col
Augustine Charles Smith, of Winches-
ter, Va. She died on November Is,
1898. At the breaking out of the civil
war in 1861, Col. Morgan entered the
Confederate service as captain Of the
cavalry company that had been organ
ICED a couple of years previously IN
this vicinity, and which became Com
pany F, of the First Virginia Cavalry,
He was afterward promoted to be colo
mel of the First Cavalry, and Captain
NJ. J. Billmyer became captain of Com
pany F. Col Morgan was splendid
soldier. He was an intrepid leader,
and led his men to victory in many
gallant charge He had the full conf
dence of the commanding generals,
who knew that they could always rely
upon HIM for the most arduous and
dangerous service. During the last
year of the war be was almost continu-
ously in command of a brigade, being
assigned to different commands as cir
cumstances required. Just before the
surrender at AppomAttox he had been
commissioned brigadier- general. The
war ended, however, before he had re-
ceived the full honOrs be had so gal
lantly won. Colonel Morgan partici-
pated in almost all the important bat
ties of the war, and though in continu-
Gus active service from Bull Run to
Appomattox, he escaped without a
wound. He sustained intimate and
confidential relations with the leaders
of the Confederate armies, and those
who are still living, as well as the pri-
Yates who served under him and who
so thoroughly respected and admired
him, will greatly deplore the death OF
the old soldier In person Colonel
Morgan was tall and commanding, and
though the burden of years had frosted
his hair and turned the flowing beard
TO gray, his form never lost its soldierIy
erectness nor his eye its keenness To
the last he loved the Confederate gray,
and he always chose his clothing in the
hues that approached nearest the colors
that he wore when he was battling for
the lost cause. He was a typical
southern soldier, chivalrous Virginia
officer What nobler name can man
bear?
At the close Of the war Colonel Nor
gan returned to his home near Shep-
herdstown, where he engaged in farm
ing. In few years he was chosen
deputy sheriff of the county, position
that he continued 10 hold until his
death. His term Of service, We be-
lieve, extended over period of about
twenty-six years. In the discharge Of
the duties of this Office he was ever
faithful, and willing at all times, as
far as possible, to accommodate those
with whom he had business. He was
leuient with the taxpayers almost to a