William Augustine Morgan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
William A. Morgan
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| Born | March 30, 1831 near Mount Vernon, Fairfax County, Virginia, U.S. |
| Died | February 14, 1899 (aged 67) Shepherdstown, Jefferson County, West Virginia, U.S. |
| Buried |
Elmwood Cemetery
Shepherdstown, West Virginia |
| Allegiance |  Confederate States |
| Service/ |
 Confederate States Army |
| Years of service | 1861–1865 |
| Rank |  Colonel |
| Commands held | 1st Virginia Cavalry |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War
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William Augustine Morgan (born March 30, 1831 – died February 14, 1899) was an important person from Shepherdstown. He was a farmer in Virginia who became a high-ranking officer in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War. After the war, he helped write new rules for West Virginia and worked as a local law enforcement officer for many years.
Early Life and Family
William A. Morgan was born on March 31, 1831. His family lived near Mount Vernon in Fairfax County, Virginia. When he was six years old, in 1837, his family moved to Jefferson County.
His family had a long history in Virginia. One of his great-grandfathers, Daniel Morgan, was a famous leader during the American Revolutionary War. He led a group of soldiers from Western Virginia to help the American patriots in 1775. This journey was known as the "Bee-Line March."
On December 20, 1854, William A. Morgan married Anna Jaquelin Smith. They had seven children together. Their children were Augustus, Mary, Bettie, Anna, William, Daniel, and Archibald. Daniel later joined the U.S. Navy, and Archibald joined the 2nd West Virginia Regiment.
Military Service and Public Role
William A. Morgan first led a group of cavalry (soldiers on horseback) from Shepherdstown. This group responded to John Brown's raid in 1859. In July 1861, his company officially joined the 1st Virginia Cavalry of the Confederate States Army.
He started as a captain. When his commander, J. E. B. Stuart, was promoted, Morgan also moved up in rank. He became a Major in 1862. After the Battle of Chancellorsville in 1863, he briefly commanded a larger group of soldiers. He was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in July 1863, after being injured at the Battle of Gettysburg. He became a full Colonel in October 1864. Some reports even said he was promoted to Brigadier General at the end of the war.
During the war, his wife tried to manage their farm. The farm was in an area where a lot of fighting happened, so it was badly damaged. William's brother, Daniel H. Morgan, also fought in the war. He was captured and held prisoner by Union forces.
In the final days of the war, on April 6, 1865, Morgan had his horse shot out from under him during the Battle of High Bridge. A few days later, he and his troops were at Appomattox Court House. However, he did not surrender there. Instead, he laid down his weapons in Winchester, Virginia. He then returned to his damaged farms in Jefferson County.
After the war, William A. Morgan continued farming. He also became active in his local community. In 1872, he became the deputy sheriff for Jefferson County. This was around the time many former Confederate officials received pardons. In the same year, he also represented his county at the West Virginia Constitutional Convention. This was a meeting to help write new laws and rules for the state. He served as deputy sheriff for 26 years, until he passed away.
Morgan also helped his community by offering land for the Morgans Grove Agricultural Association. In 1885, they held a very successful fair on his property. This happened after the Shenandoah Valley Railroad built a stop in Shepherdstown for the event. The fair became an annual event, lasting four days. It grew so much that it eventually bought land from Morgan's neighbor and also used some of Morgan's property.
Later Life and Legacy
William A. Morgan passed away in Shepherdstown, West Virginia on February 14, 1899. He was buried at Elmwood Cemetery in Shepherdstown. The annual fairs continued for many years. However, they stopped during the Great Depression.
The fairgrounds were sold to a farmer around 1941. Later, in 1961, the Shepherdstown Mens Club bought 20 acres of the land. They turned it into a public park and named it after the Morgan family. This area grew and is now part of the Morgan's Grove historic district. This district is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and includes several important properties.
