Colonel William Augustine Morgan (65)
Born in Fairfax Country in 1831, Col. William Augustine Morgan was the grandson of Abel Morgan and Elizabeth Bedinger(5), the daughter of Henry Bedinger(1) and Mary Magdalena von Schlegel. William Augustine Morgan served the entire duration of the war in the elite 1st Virginia Cavalry joining as a private in Company F, known as the Shepherdstown Troop, advancing to colonel of the regiment by December 1864. The illustrious 1st Virginia Cavalry contained 12 companies and none other than J.E.B. Stuart and Fitzhugh Lee are counted among its roster of field officers. During the course of the war the regiment was involved in over 200 battles and skirmishes riding in every major campaign conducted by the Army of Northern Virginia from 1st Manassas where the Black Horse broke the famous 11th New York Fire Zouaves to Appomattox, choosing to disband at Lynchburg rather than formally surrender.
Morgan was elected captain of Company F in April 1861 and briefly took charge of the regiment after Chancellorsville and ranking as major rode towards Pennsylvania with the cavalry corps under J.E.B. Stuart. At Gettysburg the 1st Virginia charged Custer and the 7th Michigan Cavalry in the seesaw fighting of July 3; Then broke off the engagement when Lee ordered the main army to begin withdrawing that night.
Morgan is reported as "wounded July 4, 1863". The date must be a clerical error as the 1st Virginia was not again engaged until July 16 at Leetown where Colonel Drake commanding the regiment was mortally wounded. Morgan's own wound must not have been severe as he returned to the regiment on July 15 and was promoted to lieutenant colonel the next day taking over for Drake. For the rest of the war Morgan alternated between regimental and temporary brigade command and was advanced to full colonel in December 1864. |
During the waning Appomattox campaign, Morgan's horse was shot from beneath him at High Bridge on April 6, the last surefire victory for the dying Army of the Northern Virginia, and escaped the scene of Lee's surrender temporarily in command of Payne's brigade. He was paroled on April 21, 1865 at Winchester.
For some years after the war Morgan was deputy Sheriff of Jefferson County, West Virginia. He died on February 14, 1899 and is buried in Elmwood Cemetery in his native Shepherdstown.
For some years after the war Morgan was deputy Sheriff of Jefferson County, West Virginia. He died on February 14, 1899 and is buried in Elmwood Cemetery in his native Shepherdstown.
The following is from the obituary of Col. Morgan published in the Sun, Baltimore, Maryland, February 16, 1899. Colonel Morgan a popular Citizen of Jefferson County and a gallant soldier died February 14, 1899 after an illness of less than twenty-four hours. He had long been one of the most popular citizens. Col. Morgan was born March 30, 1831 near Mt. Vernon, Fairfax County, Va. and, with his parents, came to Jefferson County in 1837. In 1854, he married Miss Annie J. Smith of Winchester, daughter of Col. Austin Charles Smith. She died some years ago. At the breaking out of the civil war, Col. Morgan entered the Confederate service as captain of Company F of the First Virginia Cavalry. He was subsequently promoted to be colonel of this regiment. He was one of the most gallant soldiers in the Confederate army and participated in almost every important battle in which the cavalry was engaged. He commanded various brigades from time-to-time during the last year of the war. After the surrender he returned to his home, near Shepherdstown, and engaged in farming. He was soon chosen deputy sheriff and held this office for about twenty-six years continuously. He was very popular in this county with all classes. Col. Morgan is survived by the following children: Augustine Morgan and Mrs. Anna Getzendanner of Shepherdstown; William A. Morgan of Kansas City, Mo.; Dr. Daniel H. Morgan of the U.S. Navy; and Archibald M. Morgan of the 2nd West Virginia Regiment at Greenville, SC.