Page:Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography volume 2.djvu/216

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married about this time to Abigail Bailey, ch:iighter of a farmer. He served as lieu- tenant of militia during the Pontiac war. In 1763-64 he was captain of militia, and in 1773 served against the Indians. In June, 1775. he was appointed captain of one of the ten Virginia rifle companies raised to join Washington's army at Boston, which reached the American camp at Cambridge, Massachusetts, in July, 1775. having travel- led six hundred miles in twenty-one days, one of the first companies to report. On September 13. 1775. he went on the expedi- tion to Quebec under Benedict Arnold, and was the first to cross the St. Lawrence river. November 13, 1775. ^^ ^^^ ^'^^ ^S" sault upon the lower town, took the battery, and fought his way into the town, where for lack of support his command was captured. He was a prisoner at Quebec until August 10. 1776, when he was discharged on parole, sailed for New York, stayed for a time at his home, and in November. 1776, was com- missioned colonel of the Eleventh \'irginia Regiment. When his parole expired he was instructed to recruit men for his regiment. r>eiore his enlistment was complete he was ordered to the army at Morristown. New Jersey, and arrived there with 180 riflemen in April. 1777. He was placed in command of 500 sharpshooters (Morgan's rangers). On June 13, 1777. upon the advance of Lord Howe from New Brunswick, New Jersey, Morgan's rangers had several encounters, and upon Howe's retreat toward Amboy, Morgan was sent forward to annoy him. and followed Howe to Philadelphia. He found Gen. Gates at Stillwater in August, 1777: was a prominent figure at Freeman's Farm, September 19. and at the surrender of Bur- goyne. October 7. He was complimented

by both Gates and Burgoyne, the latter characterizing his rangers the finest rtgi- ment in the world. He refused to listen to ( iates' criticism of Washington's conduct of the war and assured him that he would hervc under no other man as commander- in-chief. At Whitemarsh, Pennsylvania, he lojoined Washington, who met Howe's army and compelled him to retire to Phila- delphia, after which the Americans went into winter camp at Valley Forge, and Morgan returned to Virginia. During June, 1778, he served in the Monmouth ciimpaign, but was not present at the battle. He was commissioned colonel of the Sev- enth Virginia Regiment in March, 1779, and in June, 1779, congress having promoted in- ferior officers over him. he resigned on the appointment of Gates to the command of the southern army. After the battle of Cam- den, he joined Gates at Hillsborough, was promoted brigadier-general October 13, 1780, and served under Gates and Greene, and in December, 1780. was sent by Greene to threaten the inland posts of Augusta and Ninety-six. Cornwallis sent Tarleton to pre- vent this, and Morgan retreated to the Cow- pens. The battle of January 17, 1781, was one of the most brilliant of the war, and re- flected credit upon the military genius of Morgan. The British army was put to flight, but the direction taken by Cornwallis obliged Morgan to cross the Fords of the Catawba in order to join Greene, and by a brilliant march he reached the river first and warned Greene of the situation. He took part in the manoeuvers leading to the battle of Guilford Court House, which re- sulted in Cornwallis* retreat into Virginia, but before the battle in February. 1781. he was incapacitated from further service by

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