Gen. Daniel Morgan; An Address Delivered Before the Seventh Annual Congress of the Scotch-Irish Society of America, at Lexington, Va., June 23, 1895
Nashville, TN: Publishing House of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, 1895. 1st Edition. 8vo. Very Good. Item #19102
A scarce late-19th century speech covering the military career of Revolutionary War hero and one of America's greatest military field commanders, whose brilliant victory at the Battle of Cowpens set the wheels in motion for ultimate British surrender at Yorktown in 1781.
Morgan was also instrumental in the American victory at the two Battles of Saratoga, as well as the last man to surrender his sword at the Battle of Quebec in 1775, leading the tiny rag tag army of Continental troops after Benedict Arnold was wounded.
"After the American Revolutionary War began at the Battles of Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775, the Continental Congress created the Continental Army in June 1775. They called for the formation of 10 rifle companies from the middle colonies to support the Siege of Boston, and late in June 1775, Virginia agreed to send two. Morgan was chosen by a unanimous vote by the Committee of Frederick County to form one of these companies and become its commander.
"Morgan recruited 96 men in 10 days and assembled them at Winchester on July 14. This was even larger than authorized strength. His company of marksmen was nicknamed "Morgan's Riflemen". Another company was raised from Shepherdstown by his rival, Hugh Stephenson. Stephenson's company initially planned to meet Morgan's company in Winchester but found them gone. Morgan marched his men 600 miles to Boston, Massachusetts in 21 days, arriving on August 6, 1775. Locals called it the "Bee-Line March", noting that Stephenson somehow marched his men 600 miles from their meeting point at Morgan's Spring, in 24 days, so they arrived at Cambridge on Friday, August 11, 1775." - wiki
At Cowpens, Morgan accomplished what is arguably the most brilliant Army victory ever on American soil.
Morgan chose to make his stand at Cowpens, South Carolina. On the morning of January 17, 1781, they met Tarleton in the Battle of Cowpens. Morgan had been joined by militia forces under Andrew Pickens and William Washington's dragoons. Tarleton's legion was supplemented with the light infantry from several regiments of regulars.
"Morgan's plan took advantage of Tarleton's tendency for quick action and his disdain for the militia, as well as the longer range and accuracy of his Virginia riflemen. The marksmen were positioned to the front, followed by the militia, with the regulars at the hilltop. The first two units were to withdraw as soon as they were seriously threatened, but after inflicting damage. This would invite a premature charge from the British.
"The tactic resulted in a double envelopment. As the British forces approached, the Americans, with their backs turned to the British, reloaded their muskets. When the British got close to the Americans, the latter turned and fired at point-blank range. In less than an hour, Tarleton's 1,076 men suffered 110 killed and 830 captured; 200 prisoners of war were wounded. The British Legion, among the best units in Cornwallis's army, was effectively destroyed. Archibald McArthur, the captured commander of a battalion of the 71st Regiment of Foot, said after the battle that he "was an officer before Tarleton was born; that the best troops in the service were put under 'that boy' to be sacrificed".
"Cornwallis had lost not only Tarleton's legion but also his light infantry, losses that limited his speed of reaction for the rest of the campaign. For his actions, Virginia gave Morgan land and an estate that had been abandoned by a Tory. The damp and chill of the campaign had aggravated his sciatica to the point that he was in constant pain; on February 10, he returned to his Virginia farm." - wiki
20pp. Typographical wraps. Saddle-staple binding. Wraps with mild rubbing and edge wear.
Price: $125.00