Lexington Rifles

"Our Laws, The Commands of Our Captain"

Morgan's Company Roster

Background Music:
"hunters of kentucky"

."This story shall the good man teach his son;...
From this day to the ending of the world, but we in it shall be remembered.
We few, we happy few, we Band of Brothers,
For he today that sheds his blood with me, shall be my brother."
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-- Excerpt from speech of Henry V on St. Crispin's Day, before the Battle of Agincourt, 1415
from Henry V (Act IV, Scene III)  by William Shakespeare, 1599

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      Pvt. Geo. Hawkins                       Camp Douglas Prisoners                  Pvt. Geo. W. Bowman
   Co. H, 2nd KY Cavalry                                                                                                                  Co. D, 2nd KY Cavalry

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On October 27, 1861, the Lexington Rifles, with 84 men reporting for duty, were mustered into Confederate States’ service on the steps of the Green River Baptist Church in Woodsonville, Kentucky.  The oath of enlistment was administered by Major William Preston Johnston, who was the son of General Albert Sidney Johnston and the nephew of General William Preston.  Elections to determine the Company's officers were held thereafter.  

While stationed along the Green River defensive line at Woodsonville, the Lexington Rifles became known as "Morgan's Company". They were later designated as Company A when two other cavalry companies joined with them to form a Squadron, with John Morgan as its commander.  

The following is a list of the men who were sworn into service on October 27th.  This list was found with Colonel Hal Engerud’s personal papers at the Hart County Historical Museum in Munfordville.  While all sources state that a total of 84 men took the oath, this record contains only 76.

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