Tales, Traditions and Romance of Border and Revolutionary TimesEllis, Edward Sylvester
History
Tales, Traditions and Romance of Border and Revolutionary Times
Ellis, Edward Sylvester
Frontier and pioneer life -- United States -- Anecdotes; United States -- History -- Revolution, 1775-1783 -- Anecdotes
"Passing along a road with his wagon, Morgan met a gentleman of refined
manners and appearance, who, as he approached the wagoner, had his hat
struck off by a bough overhead. This stopped him for a moment, and
Morgan, thinking that the stranger felt undue pride in sustaining the
character of a gentleman, determined to humble him. Alighting from his
horse—which he rode, teamster-fashion, instead of driving—he addressed
the traveler:
"'Well, sir, if you want a fight, I'm ready for you!'
"The stranger, in amazement, assured him that he wanted no fight, and
had made no signals to such a purpose. But Morgan was not to be thus
repulsed, and urged a contest upon him, until the stranger, becoming
enraged, in short terms accepted the challenge. The battle commenced. In
brief space the well-dressed man planted such a series of rapid and
scientific blows upon Morgan's front, that he knocked him down, and
inflicted upon him a severe chastisement. Morgan never forgot this
reverse; he found that he was not the only man in the world—that 'might
did not make right.' He often spoke of it afterward as having had a
happy effect upon his character."
In after years, he gained more dignity of character, these youthful
ebullitions merging into deeds of valor of which his country is proud.
Immediately upon the breaking out of the Revolutionary War, he stood
ready to aid his country. Congress appointed him a Captain of
provincials, and so great was his reputation, that, in a short time
after his call for recruits, ninety-six riflemen were enrolled in his
company. This was the nucleus of that celebrated rifle corps which
rendered so much brilliant service during the war. It was composed of
men who had been trained in the forest, and who had each been accustomed
to the use of his own rifle with wonderful skill. They were hardy in
body and dauntless in heart. From this time on, his career was one of
glory, although the hardships which he suffered finally undermined his
splendid health, and forced him to retire, with the rank of
Major-General, to his estate near Winchester, called "Saratoga," after
one of the places where he had distinguished himself.
It was here that he died in 1802, in the 67th year of his age. A
passer-by would hardly notice the humble slab, of little pretension,
which marks his grave in the Presbyterian church-yard, at Winchester;
yet on it is inscribed a name which Americans will ever delight to
honor: "The hero of Quebec, of Saratoga, and the Cowpens: the bravest
among the brave, and the Ney of the West."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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