The father of Daniel Morgan was a Welshman, who had emigrated from
Wales, and settled in the state of New Jersey, some years before
the birth of his son, which took place in the year 1736. His father
was poor, consequently his education was confined to the ordinary
branches of a country school. At an early age, an enterprising
character appeared to be developing itself, and our hero, at the age of
seventeen, left the humble roof of his parents, to improve his fortune
at the south. Accordingly, we next find him as wagoner on the estate
of a wealthy planter, in Frederick county, Virginia. In the situation
of teamster, he continued until after the unfortunate expedition of
Braddock; during the whole of this campaign he drove his own team
attached to the army. During this unfortunate campaign he was charged
with insolence to a British officer, tried and sentenced to receive
five hundred lashes, which he submitted to with that firm indifference
which was peculiar to him through the remainder of his life. Lee, in
his memoirs says, “That in a few days after the infliction of this
disgraceful punishment, the officer became convinced of the injustice
of the charge, and made an ample atonement to young Morgan before the
whole regiment.” It was during this disastrous campaign, that the
military qualifications of Morgan were first noticed, when the officers
recommended him to the colonial government of Virginia, from which he
received a commission as ensign in the English service. It was in this
capacity that his powers of mind burst forth, in those qualifications
which twenty years afterwards distinguished him as one of the prominent
heroes of the glorious revolution.
Although engaged from 1775 to 1781, in which he saw more actual service
than any other American officer, he received but one dangerous wound.
He was attacked by a party of Indians, while carrying dispatches to
a frontier post, accompanied by two soldiers; he received a ball,
which entering the back of his neck, came out through his left cheek,
shattering his jaw in a dangerous manner. He was mounted on a fleet
horse, and in falling, grasped firmly the neck of the animal. The
savages, presuming he was dead, left him to scalp the two that had
fallen. Morgan, who believed that his wounds would prove fatal, or that
he should be exhausted by loss of blood, urged his horse to full speed,
and the noble animal escaped with him into the fort. One of the savages
followed him for some distance, as fast as he could run, with open
mouth and tomahawk in hand, expecting every moment his victim would
fall. When the disappointed savage found the horse was fast leaving him
behind, he threw his tomahawk with great force, but without effect, and
abandoned the pursuit with a most hideous yell.
This serious wound confined Morgan to the hospital for six months; as
soon as convalescence permitted, he returned to his native state, where
he remained till he was quite recovered. In 1774, we find him possessor
of one of the finest farms in the county of Frederick. During this year
he took the command of a company in an expedition to the west, under
Lord Dunmore, against the Indians, who were defeated. On his return, on
the Ohio river, he first heard of the hostilities between the English
and the Bostonians. On their arrival at Winchester, Virginia, the corps
was disbanded, and they severally pledged themselves to each other,
to aid their eastern brethren if they should require it. Matters now
becoming serious, he applied to Congress for permission to raise a
company, which was immediately granted, with an appointment as captain.
His military popularity being so well known, that in the short space of
eight days, ninety-six men had enrolled themselves under his command,
which formed the nucleus of that celebrated rifle company, which so
signally distinguished itself in so many battles. His corps being
complete he reached Boston in fifteen days, and remaining there some
time in inactivity, he requested to be detached to Quebec. This was
done, and under the orders of General Arnold, in that celebrated march
through the woods, he led the van. Shortly after his arrival, General
Montgomery also arrived, when the attack was decided upon. Morgan led
the vanguard, under the order of General Arnold, who, being badly
wounded in the leg, was carried from the field at the commencement of
the attack.
At this time there were three field officers superior in command to
Morgan, but each, from inexperience, insisted upon waiving their rank,
and placed Morgan in command. His attack was upon a two gun battery,
supported by fifty men. Having twice fired and missed, he ordered the
ladders to be placed, which he mounted, and leaped into the town amidst
the fifty men who, after a faint resistance, fled; this daring act
inspired the soldiers, who lost no time in following their leader.
The English soldiery were panic-struck, the battery was carried
without resistance, the barrier left open, and the people gave
themselves up, asking for protection. Before entering the barrier
gate, he was ordered to wait for General Montgomery. In this he very
reluctantly acquiesced, saying at the same time that it would give
the enemy time to rally, and recover from their panic. In this he was
correct, for the news of the death of the brave Montgomery seemed
to damp the ardor of the brave soldiers; although they fought to
desperation, they were overwhelmed by numbers and made prisoners of
war. Soon after the exchange of Morgan, he received the appointment
of colonel in the continental army; and marched at the head of the
partisan rifle corps to the assistance of General Gates. At the
glorious victory of Saratoga, he took a most conspicuous part; although
Gates shamefully omitted to do him justice at the time, the English
account of the battle gave the principal credit of the victory to
Morgan.
A reconciliation, however, soon took place between Morgan and Gates;
and the latter, on every subsequent occasion, endeavored to make amends
for the injustice. The legislature of Virginia presented Morgan with
a horse, pistols and a sword; and his neighbors named his plantation
“Saratoga,” in honor of his late victory. His next act of bravery and
skill was displayed in the defeat of General Tarleton, at the battle of
the Cowpens, on the 17th of January, 1781, where he took nearly as many
prisoners as he had men of his own; and Congress testified the high
sense they entertained of this brilliant victory, by presenting him
with a gold medal, (hereafter described.) At the end of the war General
Morgan retired to his plantation at Saratoga, and devoted himself to
agricultural pursuits. He was elected to Congress, but after serving
two sessions, his debilitated health obliged him to retire from public
life.
In 1800, General Morgan removed to Winchester, where he was confined
by extreme debility for nearly two years, and expired on the sixth day
of July, 1802. General Morgan had two daughters, the eldest married to
the late General Presly Neville, of Pittsburgh, and the youngest to
Major Heard, of New Jersey. Of this gallant soldier it may truly be
said, that no officer rendered more efficient aid to the cause of his
country, and that he well merited the character at that time given him,
the hero of the three greatest victories, Quebec, Saratoga, and the
Cowpens.