The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1903-09-10

der mercieS of his enemies, making no
provision whatever for its protection, and,
seemingly, not caring what became OF it.
When young man in Lexington he be-
came involved in two or three personal
difficulties. in one of which he was severe
" wounded The tone of society at that
day in old Kentucky, where the meadow
grass was blue" was such that young
Morgan's spirited personal encounters did
not become themes of grave comment, his
antagonists subsequently becoming his
warmest friends, all being imbued with
the spirit of the generous Bard of Scot
land"
''Then gently scan your brother man,
Still gentler sister woman,
Tho they may gang a kennin wrGng,
To step aside is human!
One point must still be greatly dark,
The moving why they do it,
And just as lamely can ye mark,
How far, perhaps, they rue it"
here quote the language of Basil W.
Duke, Morgan's brother-in-law, associate
In civil life, and subsequent companion
in-arms:"
1.-THE qualities in Gen. Morgan, which
would have attracted attention in private
life, were an exceeding gentleness of dispo-
sition and unbounded generosity. His
kindness and goodness of heart were pro-
verbal. His manner, even after he had be-
come accustomed to command, was gentle
and kind, and no doubt greatly contrib
uted to acquire him the singular popular
ity which he enjoyed long before he had
made his military reputation. The strong
will and energy which he always displayed
might not have ELECTED much notice had
not the circumstances in which the war
placed him developed and given them
scope for exercise. But his affection for
the members of his family and his friends,
the generosity which prompted him to con-
suit their wishes at the expense of any
sacrifice of his own, his sensitive regard
for the feelings of others, even of those
in whom he felt least interest, and his rare
charity for the failings of the weak, made
up character which, even without an I'M
common destiny, would have been Illus
trious. His beneyolence was SO well
known in Lexington, that to go to Capt
Morgan" was the first thought of every
one who wished to inaugurate a charitable
enterprise, and his business house was a
rendezvous for all the distressed, and a
sort of intelligence office for the poor
seeking employment. His temper was
cheerful and frequently gay; no man more
relished mirth and pleasantly in the society
of his friends, with whom his manner was
free and at times even jOvial; but he never
himself INDUCED in personal jests nor in
familiarities, nor did he permit them from
his most intimate associates-to attempt
them with him gave him certain and last
ing offense. There was never q more SAN
guine man; with him to live was to hope
and to dare. Yet, while rarely feeling dis
pondency, and never despair, he did not
deceive himself with false or impossible
expectations. He was quick to perceive
the real and the practical, and while ex-
tremeiy enterprising he was not in the
least visionary. His nerve, his powers of
discrimination, the readiness with which
he could surrender schemes found to be
tmpracticable, if by chance he became in
volved in them, and his energy and close
attention to his affairs, made him very
successful in business, and undoubtedly
the same qualities, intensified by the de-
mand that war made upon them, contrib
uted greatly to his military success.
But it cannot be denied that not only
the reputation which he won, but the
talent which he displayed, astonished none
more than his old friends. He would, /
think, have been regarded as a remarkable
man, under any circumstances, by all who
would have intimately known him, but he
was born to be great in the career in which
he was SO successful. 1t is true that war
fully developed many qualities that had
been observed in him previously. He,
however, manifested an aptitude for the
peculiar service in which he acquired SO
much distinction, an instructive apprecia-
tion of the requisites for success, and
genius for command, which made them
selves Immediately recognized, but which
no one had expected. Nature had certain
~ endowed him with some gifts which
she rarely bestows, and which give the
soldier who mas them great advantages; a
handsome person, quickness of percep-
don and OF thought, amounting almost to
intuition, an almost unerring sagacity in
foreseeing the operations of an adversary
and in calculating the effect of his own
movements upon him, wonderful control
over men, as individuals and in masses,
and moral courage and energy almost pre-
ternatural.
Men are not often born who can WELD
an influence such as characterized Gen
Morgan, apparently without an effort
who can so win mems hearts and stir their
blood. He will at least be remembered
until the Western cavalrymen and their
children have all died. The bold riders
who live in the border-land, whose every
acre he made historic, will leave many a
story of his audacity and willy skill. They
will name one other Confederate as his
equal, another wizard of the saddle the
man of revolutionary force and fire, strong,
9agacious, indomitable Forrest, and in
Confederate tradition the two will 60
down together, twin-brothers in arms and
In fame"
THE LEXINGTON RIFLES.
"For though, with men of high degree,
The proudest of the proud was he,
Yet, trained in camps, he knew the art
To win the soldiers hardy heart"
"A company of volunteer militia COM
POSED of fine and spirited young men was
organized in 1857. John II. Morgan was
the Captain, the company being known as
The Lexington Rifles" 1t subsequently
became a part of the State Guard, about
10000 strong, mainly Southern sympa-
ehixers, commanded by trained officers
many Of whom had seen service in the
Mexican war. Capt. Morgan's company
soon became noted for proficiency in drill
and Tor the intelligence and daring of its
members. Their motto. written in large
II