Free Sal and Amanda Take Morgan's Victory March to the Battle of Cowpens by Mary Ann Solesbee Page B

“We are happy to have the chairwoman of the contest, Ms. Paula White, to make our presentation.”
    Ms. White, also dressed in period clothing, rose and came to the microphone. “This year’s winner was exceptional. He took on the persona of Daniel Morgan himself! Our young Patriot is Ben Henderson. Ben, come to the podium and read your speech for us.”
    Applause thundered from spectators and marchers.
    Ben could not believe it! He just stood there in shock.
    â€œGo on!” two excited voices whispered in unison from under his hat. “We’re with you!”
    Ben, still stunned, moved toward the stage and walked up the steps.
    Ms. White handed him his speech. He stepped up to the microphone to read:
    Dear Citizens of This New Country,
    I want to tell you that the Revolutionary War was more than a war of independence. It was a war of dependence. We fought to free ourselves from the oppression of an unjust government, but we did it for a united cause. Our lives and future depended on each other.
    This was never more so than at the Battle of Cowpens. Many hail me, Daniel Morgan, as the hero of the battle, but it is not so. The truth is, I was afraid and discouraged. I had problems with the militia and trouble with my fellow officers, and I wanted to give up. I believed my troops were inadequate for the fight. And besides all that, my sciatica was bothering me so badly I could barely stand it!
    I wrote these thoughts to my superior officer, General Nathanael Greene, in a letter four days before the battle. Luckily, that letter did not reach General Greene in time for him to know my true feelings.
    I said at the end of the letter that I would do as he commanded, and if he still wanted me to proceed, he could depend on me to do wily things to the enemy. Just before I finished the letter, I learned that Tarleton was hot on my trail with 1,200 British. I think that knowing Tarleton was close reignited a spark in my soul.
    That spark was fanned into a flame by my men the night before the battle. It has been said that I “spirited up” the men, but the truth is we “spirited up” each other. We depended on each other, and we cheered each other on. That’s why I want you to remember that freedom and spirit is something that we must encourage in each other. It is up to us as Americans to “spirit each other up” no matter what the problem. Your forefathers did it, and you can do it too!
    I am your obedient servant,
    Daniel Morgan
    The crowd cheered wildly as Ben looked out at them. Ms. White handed him a plaque with his full name engraved on the front.
    When the clapping stopped, Ben saw his Uncle Charles hurrying up the steps toward him with his briefcase in his hand. His uncle took the microphone from Ben and said, “Folks, because of Ben Henderson, I am able to tell you today that we have found the original letter written by Daniel Morgan himself four days before the Battle of Cowpens. It has been referenced in history books, but it has been missing for years! Ben’s bravery allowed me to get an injunction from the state historical association to stop the demolition of the Johnson House in Cheraw, South Carolina, because there was an original artifact inside. The letter was hidden in a box in a secret panel there. Ben found the letter and told us about it.”

    The crowd cheered. Ben was stunned. He didn’t know what to do.
    â€œAnd that is not all,” his uncle continued. “The owners of the property intend to donate the letter to the South Carolina State Museum so that all the citizens of this great state can share it!”
    Another cheer went up from crowd. Ben just smiled. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing!
    The photographer from the newspaper had been frantically taking notes. He snapped Ben’s picture and hurried over to get a quote.
    â€œHow did you find the letter?” the reporter asked.
    Ben just smiled and said, “Daniel