Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1904-01-06
CRACK SHOT OF THE REVOLUTION.
Exploits of Timothy Murphy, One Of
Morgan's Sharpshooters.

The battle Of Saratoga. fought III De-
tober. TIT, has it's place in history IS
enc Of the fifteen decisive battles Of the
world from Marathon to Waterloo SO
wrote the English historian. Greasy, and
thus far nearly half century has
elapsed, and his word has never been
questioned.
Let us look at two characters who
shared in this battle, Col. Daniel Nor
gan, afterward general, ever the stanch
friend of Washington, and at the date
OF which We write, the leader OF IFJ
sIlarpslaooters; and Timothy Murphy
the crack shot OF Morgan's corps
Morgan was a faI-sighted and clear
headed soldier; he had observed in the
action of October Z Il noble looking
British officer, who, mounted or Il mag
niicent charger, dashed from one end
of the line TO the other. While Ibis Of
ficer lived, Morgan considered the issue
Of the contest doubtful one: he there
fore selected twelve OF his best marks
men, among whom was Timothy Mar
ply. and, leading them to a suitable posi-
ton, he pointed out to them the doomed
officer. who was dressed In full uniform
and SAID 10 them: That gallant officer
yonder is Gen. Frazer l admire and
respect him. but it is necessary for our
good that he should die. Take yolr
stations and DO your duty
Within a few minutes a rife ball cat
the crupper of Frazer's horse, a second
passed through his horses name. Calling
his attention 10 this, his aide said 10
him: 1t is evident you are marked out
for particular aim: would it not be
prudent for you to retire from this
place: Frazer replied: My duty for
bids ne to fly from danger The third
sEot MAS from the rifle Of Murphy. and
Frazer fell. lnortally wounded
His death SO disheartened the British
that he moment he fell the tide of bat
tie turned against Burgoyne He had
lost his best subordinate, the only one
Of his officers who had the slightest in
tiuence with him.
At the close of the Revolution Murphy
married and settled in Schoharie as a
farmer, but his old habits still clung to
him.
TO his last day he maintained the repu-
tatlon he lad won as a slarpshooter in
Morgan corps. 1t was Il custom III
those days for riflemen to shoot for Il
prize. generally a gallon of rum--for Old
Medford WAS the standing tipDle. On
one occasion IL large oak tree had been
blazed near the ground and iii the circle
Il small piece Of white paper was fast
ened by II brass nail. The distance to
be nred was over 100 yards. Several
close shots had been made and ii ne
came Murphy's turn TO fire. He lay
down on the ground at full length. resi-
ing his rifle on his hat. as the others had
done. and, after glancing over the bar
rel he was heard to say: Sure. and |
believe | can see that nail Again he
sighted his piece-fred, and the paper
fell. An examination showed Il center
shot; the ball had driven the nail ex-
actly III.
In person. Murphy was stout and well
made. handsome in face, with jet black
hair and an eye that would kindle and
flash like the lightning when excited
quick rs a cat in all his movements and
possessing an iron frame that nothing
apparently could affect. What. more
over, IS very remarkable, is that in the
most dangerous duty that war could pos
sibly entail upon him, in which he passed
seven years Of army life. his body was
never wounded or even scarred.-J nited
Service Review.