Their loss was nearly equal to the number of American forces engaged. By 10 AM, the battle was over. Specifically, his orders were to "to give protection to that part of the country, spirit up the people, to annoy the enemy in that quarter." After Gates disastrous defeat at Camden, SC, Morgan put aside his personal feelings for the good of the country and rejoined the army in the Southern Campaign. Throughout this period, Morgan became increasingly dissatisfied with the army and the Congress. [5] His company of marksmen was nicknamed "Morgan's Riflemen". Therefore, the rifle was used mainly to probe enemy lines, act as skirmishers (advanced patrols before the main body of troops), marksmen to pick off the enemy from afar, and to damage an advancing force from a distance before the enemy fell in range of the more numerous muskets. Upon arrival at Fort Pitt (former Ft. Duquesne), they were informed that Parliament had closed the Port of Boston and that the Virginia House of Burgesses passed an order condemning this despotic action. They also learned that a Congress had been called from the thirteen colonies to take action against the measures and tyrannical encroachments of the British government. Morgan penned in his journal that we, as an army victorious [perhaps referring to their recent victories against the Native Americans], formed ourselves into a society, pledging our words of honor to each other to assist our brethren of Boston in case hostilities should commence. During the winter and spring of 1775, Morgan was at home with his family, however was intently involved with escalating developments as sabers rattled throughout the colonies. Born in New Jersey to a Welsh family, Morgan settled in Winchester, Virginia. Major General Benjamin Lincoln had previously surrendered the southern army at Charleston, South Carolina, and the British fanned out over the south, capturing territory and gradually pushing north, jeopardizing Virginia and beyond in the hope of collapsing the rebellion. His actions surged through the colonies and gave America the moral shot in the arm it needed, lifting a nations spirt to see past the swirling clouds of despair. [4] Greene called Morgans force the Flying Army. He, along with around three hundred other teamsters, arrived with designated supplies at Fort Cumberland (present day West Virginia near Pennsylvania) at the beginning of May, 1755 and awaited the army. Daniel Morgan: A Revolutionary Life - amazon.com The bullet, which struck him in the back of his neck, knocked out the teeth on his left jaw, and exited his cheek. Morgan had returned to Virginia and spent the winter and spring settling into his former life, but it was not to be for long. The night before the battle, Morgan had personally visited each campfire, encouraging the men and showing his back and telling them the story of his 499 lashes, and that King Georgie owed him one more, but that it would never be collected as they would give Tarletons Legion their own good whipping. Long after Arnolds treason, Morgan continued to comment positively on Arnolds abilities as a soldier and warrior and spoke fondly of him. [5] In a little more than two years, he saved enough to buy his own team. Washington sent them to harass General William Howe's rearguard, and Morgan did so during their entire withdrawal across New Jersey. They were joined by another seven regiments from Bemis Heights. Shortly after Morgans arrival, Gates offered the overall command of this small corps to Morgan who accepted. Daniel Morgan was born to Welsh immigrants in the winter of 1736 in Hunterdon County, New Jersey. Morgan immediately swung out and with one punch, knocked the officer senseless. The rifle had drawbacks. Later in 1775, Morgan participated American expedition to invade Canada organized by General Benedict Arnold. That spark came when then Provisional Colonel George Washington, leading a militia of Virginians, surprised a detachment of French & Canadians on May 28, 1754 during a diplomatic mission and killed the leader, Joseph Coulon Jumonville. For his impertinence, Morgan was punished with 500 lashestypically fatal number. Eleven days later, he was finally promoted to brigadier general. Captain John Fenton Mercer, of Washingtons Virginia regiment, [the Mercer clan Scotsmen were friends of Washington including later General Hugh Mercer] garrisoned the wilderness Fort Edward, on the Cacapehon river about twenty miles northwest of Winchester. Washington agreed to dispatch three companies from his forces at Boston, provided they agreed. : Two Southern Towns Battle Over Grave of Daniel Morgan, Herow of Cowpens. Morgan initially refused to rejoin the army, but after Horatio Gates disaster at the Battle of Camden, Morgan returned to service as a brigadier general. The rest of his men followed and after a few minutes of desperate struggle, the defenders surrendered. Gates begrudgedly agreed to Arnolds argument to do something and sent Morgan forward, assisted by Dearborn, to attack the enemys left, led by British General Simon Fraser. He lost 110 killed, 120 wounded (many left on the battlefield) and 830 captured including two field-pieces and 1,000 stand of arms. On July 12th, Braddock was brought into camp and orders were given to retreat to Fort Cumberland. Morgan was the fifth of seven children of James Morgan (17021782) and Eleanor Lloyd (17061748). On Nov. 28, 1758, he entered the burned-out fort and ordered it rebuilt naming it Fort Pitt, after British Secretary of State William Pitt the Elder. Morgans main adversary was British Lieutenant Colonel Banastre Tarleton. What was Morgan's nickname during the Revolution from being a teamster? They overtook many of their foes and killed and wounded several before the rest fled. Daniel Morgan (c. 1736 - July 6, 1802) was an American pioneer, soldier, and United States Representative from Virginia. I am, sir, your most obedient servant George Washington.". By the time Morgan arrived, Burgoyne, his supply line stretched to its limit and with the prospect of winter, was desperate to push General Gates army aside to reach Albany. Deploying his forces in a pasture area known as the Cowpens, Morgan formed his men in three lines. To compound this, his legs and back aggravated him from all the years of abuse he put it through campaigning in countless military operations, most particularly the long and grueling trek through the Maine wilderness during the fall and winter of 1775. Morgan had quickly raised a company of men and marched off with McDonalds force. He lost in 1794, but won in 1796 with 70% of the vote by defeating Democratic-Republican Robert Rutherford. Colonel Stevens led this militia and Daniel Morgan, because of his previous experience, was given the position of lieutenant in one of the companies in Stevens regiment. Washington promptly posted troops at varying points all along the Virginia frontier. The states of Alabama, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Ohio, and Tennessee followed their example. Major Aclands grenadiers held the British left and fired a volley. The surrounding area he named Pittsburg which has grown to a large, industrial city. Washington gave him three rifle companies, collectively led by Morgan, to augment his force. In 1797 he was elected and served one term in the House of Representatives. With no time left, and with the seemingly promise of snow, the attack was launched on the night and early morning of December 31st. Though his command did not take part in the fighting, it did pursue the retreating British and captured both prisoners and supplies. Utilizing knowledge of his enemys aggressive and impulsive behavior, Morgan lured Tarleton into a trap with a fake retreat. One of Morgans most valuable qualities as a commander was his ability to think beyond the confines of the accepted standards of warfare. Somewhere along this path, Daniel Morgan and a British officer crossed paths. Not long after becoming colonel, he was placed in charge of a corps of light infantry made up of Virginians, Pennsylvanians, and Marylanders and he began to employ tactics designed to disturb the disciplined Royal troops. During the expedition, Morgan annoyed a superior officer who struck him with the flat of his sword. As a result, he was court-martialed and sentenced to 500 lashes. Once the British began to approach the range of muskets, so too did the rest of Pickens militia join in. At last, on October 13, 1780, Morgan received his promotion to brigadier general. On March 25, 1790, Morgan finally received a gold medal that had been struck by Congress in recognition of his victory at Cowpens. Power was poured down the muzzle followed by the ball wrapped in cloth. In 1782, he built another house which he named Saratoga. It has since been labeled the Battle of Great Cacapon or Mercers Massacre. Within six months, he saved enough money to buy his own cart and team of four horses and went into business for himself, hauling his own wagon along The Great Wagon Road from Philadelphia, through Lancaster PA, southward through Maryland, Winchester and the Valley of Virginia, ending in Yadkin River, North Carolina. Again working with Dearborn, Morgan helped to defeat this attack and then led his men forward in a counterattack that saw American forces capture two key redoubts near the British camp. On the night of the 13th, Braddock died and was buried in the middle of the road to prevent the discovery of his body by hostile tribes. Morgan actually never saw the land, but his daughter's cousin-in-law,[32] Presley O'Bannon, the "Hero of Derna" in the Barbary War, acquired the land, drew up a plan for the town and donated the land for the streets and public square. Daniel Morgan: An Inexplicable Hero What Would The Founders Think? Abigail, daughter of Daniel Curry, a prosperous Frederick County farmer, was a woman of rare beauty and lofty character, though other accounts state that she was plain, sensible, and pious. She had a genuine interest in religion which influenced Morgan and would eventually deter his habits of rough-housing with his mates at the local tavern. At age 19, he took on the job as wagoner. While I was in his service, upon a certain occasion, he promised to give me 500 lashes. [3] All four of his grandparents were Welsh immigrants who lived in Pennsylvania. But more so, Cowpens deprived him of most of Tarletons legion and all of his most effective veteran force his light infantry.
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