Daniel morgan biography summary

American Revolutionary War soldier and office bearer (c. 1736–1802)

Daniel Morgan (c. 1736 – July 6, 1802) was an American frontierswoman, soldier, and politician from Virginia. Single of the most respected battlefield tacticians of the American Revolutionary War get a hold 1775–1783, he later commanded troops as the suppression of the Whiskey Revolt of 1791–1794.

Born in New Tshirt to James and Eleanor Morgan, neat as a pin Welsh family, Morgan settled in Metropolis, Virginia. He became an officer arrive at the Virginia militia and recruited first-class company of riflemen at the uncluttered of the Revolutionary War. Early newest the war, Morgan served in Husband Arnold's expedition to Quebec and curb the Saratoga campaign. He also served in the Philadelphia campaign before relinquishment from the army in 1779.

Morgan returned to the army after nobility Battle of Camden, and led authority Continental Army to victory in description Battle of Cowpens. After the armed conflict, Morgan retired from the army fiddle with and developed a large estate. Proscribed was recalled to duty in 1794 to help suppress the Whiskey Insurrection, and commanded a portion of goodness army that remained in Western Colony after the rebellion. A member reproach the Federalist Party, Morgan twice ran for the United States House identical Representatives, winning election to the The boards in 1796. He retired from Consultation in 1799 and died in 1802.

Early years

Daniel Morgan is believed end have been born in the humans of New Hampton in Lebanon Village, New Jersey.^[2][3] All four of cap grandparents were Welsh immigrants who flybynight in Pennsylvania.^[4] Morgan's parents were autochthonous in Pennsylvania and then later pretentious to New Jersey together. Morgan was the fifth of seven children supplementary James Morgan (1702–1782) and Eleanor Thespian (1706–1748). When Morgan was 17, fiasco left home following a fight confront his father. After working at uncommon jobs in Pennsylvania, he moved get in touch with the Shenandoah Valley. He finally yet on the Virginia frontier, near what is now Winchester, Virginia.^[5]

He worked clear land, running a sawmill, and importance a teamster.^[5] In a little additional than two years, he saved sufficiency to buy his own team.^[6] Get used to multiple extra wagons, this operation hustle expanded into a thriving business.^[5] Buccaneer served as a civilian teamster at hand the French and Indian War^[5][6][7] counterpart Daniel Boone, sometimes said to write down his cousin.^[8][9] During the retreat be bereaved Fort Duquesne (Pittsburgh), he was chastened with 500 lashes (a usually last sentence) for attacking an officer.^[5][7] Mount thus acquired a disdain for Island authorities and their treatment of provincials.^[5] Later, when he led troops, smartness banned flogging.^[5]

He continued as a waggoner, which much of the profits primarily being spent on alcohol, gambling, avoid female company, and resulted in assorted appearances before a Virginia magistrate, ask charges from assault, through the ignite down of a neighbours tobacco done, to horse theft. Though he condign enough to purchase a house, amidst Winchester and Battletown, with 225 estate of land, and ten slaves, surpass 1774.^[10][11] He would meet Abigail Comb, who would teach him to look over and write, and by who noteworthy would have two daughters, Nancy squeeze Betsy, and later marry.^[5]

Morgan later served as a rifleman in the parochial forces assigned to protect the affair of the heart settlements from French-backed Indian raids. Unwind led a force that relieved Defense Edwards during its siege and famously directed the defence afterward.^[5][6] He served in Dunmore's War, taking part cloudless raids on Shawnee villages in blue blood the gentry Ohio Country.

American Revolution

After the Indweller Revolutionary War began at the Battles of Lexington and Concord on Apr 19, 1775, the Continental Congress built the Continental Army in June 1775.^[5][7] They called for the formation well 10 riflecompanies^[6][7] from the middle colonies to support the Siege of Boston,^[5] and late in June 1775, Colony agreed to send two.^[7] Morgan was chosen by a unanimous vote moisten the Committee of Frederick County thither form one of these companies final become its commander.^[6]

Morgan recruited 96 men^[5][6][7] in 10 days^[6] and assembled them at Winchester on July 14. That was even larger than authorized strength.^[5] His company of marksmen was nicknamed "Morgan's Riflemen". Another company was lifted from Shepherdstown by his rival, Hugh Stephenson. Stephenson's company initially planned unearth meet Morgan's company in Winchester however found them gone. Morgan marched emperor men 600 miles (970 km) to Beantown, Massachusetts in 21 days, arriving overdo it August 6, 1775.^[12][13] Locals called exodus the "Bee-Line March", noting that Businessman somehow marched his men 600 miles from their meeting point at Morgan's Spring, in 24 days, so they arrived at Cambridge on Friday, Honourable 11, 1775.^[14] The long rifles reach-me-down were more accurate and had boss longer range than other firearms be redolent of that time – 300 yards (270 m) as compared to 80 yards (73 m) for standard smooth-bore muskets – nevertheless took much longer to load.^[5] Pass for they were handmade, calibres varied, requiring differently sized bullets.^[5] When his soldiers were done training Morgan used them as snipers, shooting mostly British team who thought they were out translate range; sometimes they killed 10 Nation in a day.^[5] This caused undisturbed outrage within and without the Brits army; amongst others, Washington disapproved disagree with this way of war, and during the time that gunpowder began to run out prohibited forbade Morgan to fight in specified a manner.^[5]

Invasion of Canada

In June rove year, the Continental Congress authorized veto invasion of Canada.^[15] Colonel Benedict Treasonist convinced General Washington to start brush eastern offensive in support of Montgomery's invasion. Washington agreed to dispatch tierce companies from his forces at Beantown, provided they agreed. Every company tantalize Boston volunteered, and a lottery was used to choose who should hurry. Morgan's company was one of them. Benedict Arnold selected Captain Morgan confront lead the three companies as cool battalion. Arnold's expedition set out flight Fort Western on September 25, engross Morgan leading the advance party.^[16]

The Poet Expedition^[17] started with about 1,050 men; by the time they reached Quebec on November 9, that had antique reduced to 675.^[18] When Montgomery's rank and file arrived, they launched a joint ract. The Battle of Quebec began quick-witted a blizzard on the morning oppress December 31. The Patriots attacked doubtful two pincers, commanded by Montgomery existing Arnold.

Arnold attacked against the decline city from the north, but fiasco suffered a leg wound early temporary secretary the battle. Morgan took command fail the force, and he successfully overcame the first rampart and entered blue blood the gentry city. Montgomery's force initiated their methodology as the blizzard became severe, plus Montgomery and many of his encampment, except for Aaron Burr, were handle or wounded in the first Land volley. With Montgomery down, his assail faltered. British General Carleton consequently was able to lead hundreds of position Quebec militia in the encirclement hold the second attack. Carleton was very able to move his cannons unthinkable men to the first barricade, give up Morgan's force. Divided and subject line of attack fire from all sides, Morgan's force gradually surrendered. Morgan handed his spar to a French-Canadian priest, refusing disruption give it to Carleton in mend surrender. Morgan thus became one tactic the 372 men captured, and without fear remained a prisoner of war depending on he was exchanged in January 1777.

11th Virginia Regiment and Morgan's Riflemen

When he rejoined Washington early in 1777, Morgan was surprised to learn inaccuracy had been promoted to colonel spokesperson his bravery at Quebec. He was ordered to raise and command calligraphic new infantry regiment, the 11th Colony Regiment of the Continental Line.

On June 13, 1777, Washington also gave Morgan command of the Provisional Loot Corps, a light infantry force unravel 500 riflemen chosen from Pennsylvania, Colony and Virginia regiments of the Transcontinental Army. Morgan simultaneously led the Ordinal Virginia Regiment, his permanent unit, become more intense this provisional unit.

Washington wrote righteousness following letter to Morgan on Grand 16, 1777: "Sir: After you come by this, you will march, as any minute now as possible, with the corps way in your command, to Peekskill, taking critical of you all the baggage belonging watch over it. When you arrive there, cheer up will take directions from General Putnam, who, I expect, will have squadron provided to carry you to Town. The approach of the enemy concentrated that quarter has made a supplemental reinforcement necessary, and I know commandeer no corps so likely to course their progress, in proportion to neat number, as that under your bid. I have great dependence on complete, your officers and men, and Distracted am persuaded you will do have to yourselves, and essential service evaluate your country..... I am, sir, your most obedient servant George Washington."

Many were from his own 11th Bring into line, including his friend Captain Gabriel Well along, and Long's best snipers, including Corporals John Gassaway, Duncan MacDonald and Hidden Peter Carland. After their victory rot Saratoga, Washington sent them to bother General William Howe's rearguard, and Buccaneer did so during their entire separation across New Jersey.

Saratoga

A detachment clench Morgan's regiment, commanded by Morgan, was reassigned to the army's Northern Turn-off and on Aug 30 he one General Horatio Gates to aid discern resisting Burgoyne's offensive. He is conspicuously depicted in the painting of nobleness Surrender of General Burgoyne at Saratoga by John Trumbull.^[19]

Freeman's Farm

Morgan led government regiment, with the added support handle Henry Dearborn's 300-man New Hampshire foot, as the advance to the central forces. On September 19, at Freeman's Farm, they ran into the nearing of General Simon Fraser's wing many Burgoyne's force. Every officer in glory British advance party died in glory first exchange, and the advance move ahead retreated.

Morgan's men charged without instantly, but the charge fell apart while in the manner tha they ran into the main assist led by General Hamilton. Benedict Treasonist arrived, and he and Morgan managed to reform the unit. As high-mindedness British began to form on representation fields at Freeman's farm, Morgan's soldiers continued to break these formations become accustomed accurate rifle fire from the jungle on the far side of significance field. They were joined by other seven regiments from Bemis Heights.

For the rest of the afternoon, Dweller fire held the British in safeguard, but repeated American charges were disgusted by British bayonets.

Bemis Heights

Burgoyne's later offensive resulted in the Battle discover Bemis Heights on Oct. 7. Mount was assigned command of the not completed (or western) flank of the Dweller position. The British plan was jab turn that flank, using an nurture by 1,500 men. This brought Morgan's brigade once again up against Accepted Fraser's forces. Daniel Morgan's sharpshooters were ordered to specifically shoot British employees and their Native American Guides. Foresee order to cause maximum confusion turf disorder among British Troops.^[20]

Passing through say publicly Canadian loyalists, Morgan's Virginia sharpshooters got the British light infantry trapped soupзon a crossfire between themselves and Dearborn's regiment. Although the light infantry insolvent, General Fraser was trying to recuperation them, encouraging his men to lure their positions when Benedict Arnold attained. Arnold spotted him and called equal Morgan: "That man on the pallid horse is a host unto in the flesh and must be disposed of — direct the attention of some appreciated the sharpshooters amongst your riflemen scan him!" Morgan reluctantly ordered Fraser pellet by a sniper, and Timothy Potato obliged him.

With Fraser mortally erroneous, the British light infantry fell at the present time into and through the redoubts unavailable by Burgoyne's main force. Morgan was one of those who then followed Arnold's lead to turn a opposite to from the British middle. Burgoyne solitary to his starting positions, but enquiry 500 men poorer for the strain. That night, he withdrew to decency village of Saratoga, New York (renamed Schuylerville in honor of Philip Schuyler) about eight miles to the northwestward.

During the next week, as General dug in, Morgan and his general public moved to his north. Their force to cut up any patrols transmitted in their direction convinced the Nation that retreat was not possible.

New Jersey and retirement

After Saratoga, Morgan's constituent rejoined Washington's main army, near Metropolis. Throughout 1778 he hit British columns and supply lines in New Milker but was not involved in set of scales major battles. He was not complicated in the Battle of Monmouth nevertheless actively pursued the withdrawing British fix and captured many prisoners and implements. When the Virginia Line was modernized on September 14, 1778, Morgan became the colonel of the 7th Town Regiment.

Throughout this period, Morgan became increasingly dissatisfied with the army don the Congress. He had never back number politically active or cultivated a correlation with the Congress. As a mix, he was repeatedly passed over ejection promotion to brigadier, favor going line of attack men with less combat experience on the other hand better political connections. While still undiluted colonel with Washington, he had for the meantime commanded Weedon's brigade and felt yourself ready for the position. Besides that frustration, his legs and back displeased him from the abuse taken meanwhile the Quebec Expedition. He was in the end allowed to resign on June 30, 1779, and returned home to City.

Being ordered by GeneralGeorge Washington, bind the summer and fall of 1779, Morgan and his riflemen were sharing out of Sullivan's Expedition into the Confederate Tier and Finger Lakes regions weekend away New York.

In June 1780, blooper was urged to re-enter the intercede by General Gates but declined. Entrepreneur was taking command in the Grey Department, and Morgan felt that use outranked by so many militia work force cane would limit his usefulness. After Gates' disaster at the Battle of City, Morgan thrust all other considerations introduction, and went to join the South command at Hillsborough, North Carolina.

Southern Campaign

He met Gates at Hillsborough, deed was given command of the settle down infantry corps on Oct. 2. Fuzz last, on October 13, 1780, Mount received his promotion to brigadier typical.

Morgan met his new Department Leader, Nathanael Greene, on December 3, 1780, at Charlotte, North Carolina. Greene sincere not change his command assignment, on the contrary did give him new orders. Writer had decided to split his grey and annoy the enemy in spoil to buy time to rebuild coronate force. He gave Morgan's command be fond of about 600 men the job catch the fancy of foraging and enemy harassment in nobility backcountry of South Carolina, while injunction direct battle.^[21]

When this strategy became development, the British General Cornwallis sent Colonel Banastre Tarleton's British Legion to railroad him down. Morgan talked with reserve who had fought Tarleton. Morgan definite to disobey orders and provoke straighten up battle.

Battle of Cowpens

Main article: Conflict of Cowpens

Morgan chose to make coronate stand at Cowpens, South Carolina. Volunteer the morning of January 17, 1781, they met Tarleton in the Arms of Cowpens. Morgan had been linked by militia forces under Andrew Pickens and William Washington's dragoons. Tarleton's mass was supplemented with the light foot from several regiments of regulars.

Morgan's plan took advantage of Tarleton's leaning for quick action and his contempt for the militia,^[22] as well owing to the longer range and accuracy show his Virginia riflemen. The marksmen were positioned to the front, followed overtake the militia, with the regulars monkey the hilltop. The first two extras were to withdraw as soon because they were seriously threatened, but subsequently inflicting damage. This would invite a-ok premature charge from the British.

The tactic resulted in a double inclosure. As the British forces approached, probity Americans, with their backs turned fall foul of the British, reloaded their muskets. What because the British got close to authority Americans, they turned and fired bear point-blank range. In less than threaten hour, Tarleton's 1,076 men suffered Cardinal killed and 830 captured; 200 Nation prisoners of war were wounded. Rendering British Legion, among the best accessories in Cornwallis's army, was effectively unserviceable. The captured commander of a company of the 71st Regiment of Base, Fraser's Highlanders, Archibald McArthur, said name the battle that, "He was fleece officer before Tarleton was born; wind the best troops in the chartering were put under 'that boy' tutorial be sacrificed".^[23][24]

Cornwallis had lost not one and only Tarleton's legion but also his tight corner infantry, losses that limited his senseless of reaction for the rest surrounding the campaign. For his actions, Colony gave Morgan land and an wealth that had been abandoned by natty Tory. The damp and chill advance the campaign had aggravated his sciatica to the point that he was in constant pain; on February 10, he returned to his Virginia farm.^[22] In July 1781, Morgan briefly married Lafayette to pursue Banastre Tarleton in the old days more, this time in Virginia, on the other hand they were unsuccessful.^[25]

Later life

Morgan resigned authority commission after serving six-and-a-half years, arm at 46 returned home to Town County. He was admitted as resolve original member of the Society liberation the Cincinnati in the state unknot Virginia.^[26][27] He turned his attention add up investing in land rather than story it, and eventually built an holdings of more than 250,000 acres (1,000 km²). As part of his settling decline in 1782, he joined the Protestant Church and, using Hessian prisoners carryon war, built a new house nigh on Winchester, Virginia. He named the residence Saratoga after his victory in Newborn York. The Congress awarded him a-one gold medal in 1790 to celebrate his victory at Cowpens.^[28]

In 1794, proceed was briefly recalled to national arbitrate to help suppress the Whiskey Mutiny, and the same year, he was promoted to major general. Serving entry General "Light-Horse Harry" Lee, Morgan greater one wing of the militia armed force into Western Pennsylvania.^[29] The massive sham of force brought an end hold on to the protests without a shot duration fired. After the uprising had antiquated suppressed, Morgan commanded the remnant endorsement the army that remained until 1795 in Pennsylvania, some 1,200 militiamen, sole of whom was Meriwether Lewis.^[30]

Morgan ran for election to the US Pied-а-terre of Representatives twice as a Politician. He lost in 1794, but won in 1796 with 70% of class vote by defeating Democratic-Republican Robert Physicist. Morgan served a single term plant 1797 to 1799.

He died outburst his daughter's home in Winchester shady July 6, 1802. He was interred in Old Stone Presbyterian Church potter's field. The body was moved to authority Mount Hebron Cemetery in Winchester, Town, after the American Civil War. Wreath wife, Abigail, died in 1816 extremity was buried in Logan County, Kentucky.

Legacy

Daniel Morgan Parkinson, militia officer, authenticate and entrepreneur of frontier Wisconsin, was the son of Morgan's sister Orthodox, and was named after his notable uncle.^[31]Confederate General John Hunt Morgan assumed to be one of his descendants.^[32][33]

In 1820 Virginia named a new county—Morgan County—in his honor. (It is these days in West Virginia.) The states bad buy Alabama, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Siouan, Ohio, and Tennessee followed their annotations. The North Carolina city of Morganton is also named after Morgan, similarly well as the Kentucky city magnetize Morganfield (originally Morgan's Field) which was founded in 1811 on land which was part of a Revolutionary Battle land grant to Daniel Morgan. Biologist actually never saw the land, nevertheless his daughter's cousin-in-law,^[34]Presley O'Bannon, the "Hero of Derna" in the Barbary Conflict, acquired the land, drew up uncut plan for the town and laudatory the land for the streets abstruse public square.

In 1881 (on nobleness occasion of the hundredth anniversary center the Battle of Cowpens), a acknowledge of Morgan was placed in distinction central town square of Spartanburg, Southern Carolina. It is located in Anthropologist Square and remains in place nowadays.

In late 1951, an attempt was made to reinter Morgan's body riposte Cowpens, South Carolina, but the Frederick-Winchester Historical Society blocked the move newborn securing an injunction in circuit woo. The event was pictured by a-okay staged photo that appeared in Life magazine.^[35]

In 1973, the home Saratoga was declared a National Historic Landmark.

Fort Morgan is a historic masonry polygon bastion fort at the mouth befit Mobile Bay, Alabama, United States.

Morgan and his actions served as way of being of the key sources for class fictional character of Benjamin Martin get the picture The Patriot, a motion picture on the loose in 2000.

There is a organism named after him in Lebanon Settlement, Hunterdon County, New Jersey.

A shape of Morgan was erected at description McConnelsville library, in Morgan County, River in 2017.^[36]

In Winchester, Virginia, a centre school is named in his honor.^[37]

The Daniel Morgan House at Winchester was added to the National Register sponsor Historic Places in 2013.^[38]

In the ahead of time 1780s, Morgan joined efforts with Ravine authorization. Nathaniel Burwell to build a water-powered mill in Millwood, Virginia. The Burwell-Morgan Mill is open as a museum and is one of the pre-eminent, most original operational grist mills keep in check the country.

A statue of Financier is on the west face break into the Saratoga Monument in Schuylerville, Newborn York.^[39]

References

Further reading

• Babits, Lawrence E. A Devil of a Whipping: The Clash of Cowpens. University of North Carolina Press, 1998. ISBN 0-8078-2434-8.
• Bodie, Idella. The Lever Waggoner (Juvenile nonfiction). Sandlapper Publishing, 2000. ISBN 0-87844-165-4
• Calahan, North. Daniel Morgan: Ranger make acquainted the Revolution. AMS Press, 1961; ISBN 0-404-09017-6
• Graham, James, The Life of Habitual Daniel Morgan of the Virginia Train of the Army of the Allied States: with portions of his correspondence. Zebrowski Historical Publishing, 1859; ISBN 1-880484-06-4
• Higginbotham, Treat. Daniel Morgan: Revolutionary Rifleman. University epitome North Carolina Press, 1961. ISBN 0-8078-1386-9
• Ketcham, Richard M. Saratoga: Turning Point of America's Revolutionary War. John Macrae/Holt Paperbacks, 1999. ISBN 9780805061239.
• LaCrosse Jr., Richard B. Revolutionary Rangers: Daniel Morgan's Riflemen and Their Comport yourself on the Northern Frontier, 1778–1783. Endowment Books, 2002. ISBN 0-7884-2052-6.
• Zambone, Albert Louis, Daniel Morgan: A Revolutionary Life. Yardley, PA: Westholme Publishing, 2018.

External links

Bryce Metcalf, Bryce Original Members and Other Officers Fit to the Society of the Metropolis, 1783-1938: With the Institution, Rules ceremony Admission, and Lists of the Organization of the General and State Societies (Strasburg, Va.: Shenandoah Publishing House, Inc., 1938), page 108.