Rensselaer Gazette, Volume 3, Number 26, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 October 1859 — Morgan. the Rifleman. [ARTICLE]

Morgan. the Rifleman.

Daniel Morgan was a wagoner in the French and Indian war. He was once insulted by one British officer and severely punished by another,for which he vowed vengeance. At the. beginning of the Revolutionary war lie raised a company of riflemen ,- which he drilled to perfection, and instructed in the keen, unfailing aim of the backwoodsman. At- the battle of Saratoga, see-• ing the day was going against the Americans, by reason of the extraordinary skill and en--ergy of Gen. Fraser, with his Scotch division, he resolved to resort to the only measure conceivable to arrest the tide of.buttle that threatened to OY'erwhelm them. Summoning to his presence the best marksman in His command, whose aim was never known to fail, lie said: “Murphy, do you see that officer on the iron-gray horse!” “Yes, sir,” was the reply of the old soldier. Morgan rejoined, with an almost flattering voice, “Then do your duty.” Murphy ascended a tree,-cut away the interlaced brandies with his hatchet, rested his rifle in a sure place, watched his opportunity, and ns soon ns Gen. Fraser had, in his animated movements, come within practical range, Murphy fired, and the gallant General fell, mortally wounded, being shot in the center of his body. The fall decided the dav. The enemy soon gave way, and Saratoga became immortal. But Morgan, the rough soldier, was a man of tender feelings,and he almost wept at the deed, and always said it troubled him, beceusc it looked so much like a kind of assassination of a brave and noble officer.