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The Old Wagoner

 

             When historians look at the life of Brigadier General Daniel Morgan there is a gaping hole. This hole is from the time he was born until he was seventeen. Historians however agree that he was born somewhere in Hunterdon County, New Jersey sometime in 1736. His known history begins in 1753 when he got in a quarrel with his father. After this argument he left home without his parents knowledge or permission.
             At the time he arrived in Virginia he could barely read or write. His manners were terrible and he enjoyed fist fighting. With these high credentials he got his first job, preparing land for planting. While working he became known for his hard work and obtained the position of superintendent of a sawmill. .
             After working at the sawmill he became a Wagoner, a person who drove a wagonload of supplies across the mountains to the settlers. The British Army then hired him during the French and Indian War. During this time he picked up the nickname "The Old Wagoner". In the spring of 1756 after delivering a load of supplies to Fort Chiswell he irritated a British Lieutenant. The angered lieutenant struck Morgan with the flat end of his sword. Morgan using his knack for fist fighting knocked out the lieutenant with one punch.
             Morgan was court-marshaled and sentenced to 500 lashings. Morgan recalled that the drummer who was in charge of counting the lashes miscounted and he only received 499 lashed. Morgan always maintained that the British owed him one lash.
             Despite being court-marshaled, in 1757, Morgan rejoined the British Army. Several influential men recommended to the governor that Morgan be made a captain, but the only rank available was of ensign. He accepted this and served two years with the British Army. In these two years he was shot in the neck and the bullet knocked out the teeth in his left jaw. He retained a scar for the rest of his life.
             After his service in the British Army Daniel Morgan returned to his work and bought a house in Winchester.


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