MAJOR-GENERAL JOHN H. MORGAN.

1HIs bold and daring chief was born near Lexington, Kentucky, about the year 1827. His parents were of good repute, though not of the wealthy class, and they had a large family to maintain. John was the eldest of six brothers, all of whom, save one, have devoted themselves, their means, and all they possessed, to the cause of the South. Their names are Calvin, who always acted as agent, in Kentucky, for his brother John; Colonel Richard, who was adjutant-general to A. P. Hill; Major Charlton, who formerly represented the United States Government abroad, but lately was in his brother's command; and Lieutenant Thomas Morgan, also in the same command, and twice captured. There was, likewise, a cousin, whom we find mentioned serving as a private soldier.

When the Mexican war broke out, Morgan joined the First Kentucky regiment as a private, and went to share in some of those hard-fought battles so well known. For his bravery and good conduct, he was promoted from the ranks to a secondlieutenant, and returned home in that capacity.

About this time he purchased an establishment, and engaged in the manufacture of jeans, linseys, and bagging for the Southern market. About the same time, he married Miss Rebecca Bruce, who, after years of sickness, died at the commencement of the present war. Morgan then determined to take up arms for the South, and secretly collected a little band of followers, who elected him captain, and each provided his own arms, horse, and equipments. Escaping from Lexington, where they had been closely watched, they started forth in quest of adventure.

This was in the fall of 1861, when Buckner was at Bowling