When we tell the history of the Redcoat "head shot" (now "Morgan's Shingle"), we typically explain how the first 40 applicants for Daniel Morgan's rifle company hit the shingle, and therefore we will never know how the 41st applicant would have done. However, my extensive research has uncovered the long-lost identity of the 41st applicant for Daniel Morgan's rifle company, as well the fact that he did in fact hit the shingle.
I had to dig through tons of old microfiche records, which was really hard on my 57-year-old eyes. Wearing my lined trifocals really helped with this task, and I got 'er done. Here is what I found.
His name was Thomas Hardy, and he was the 41st shooter in line. He hit the shingle to the right of, and well below the outline of King George's nose. In fact, he came uncomfortably close to missing entirely, but hitting the shingle was good enough, so he made it.
Now, you may wonder how Mr. Hardy even got the chance to shoot, since Morgan only took 40 men. Well, shooter #40 made his shot, cold bore at 250 yards just like the previous 39. Most shooters in his position would have felt tremendous pressure. If he missed, he would be the first one to do so that day, and he would be sent home in disgrace. But shooter #40 was an excellent shot, and was highly confident of his abilities. In fact, he was so confident, he CHOSE to go last. Shooter #40 typically placed first in every contest he entered in the state of Virginia, and his shot on the shingle that day was nearly dead center. And it would have been dead center, IF he had wanted it to be. But he was not aiming for the center of the shingle at all. Being a superb shot, he was aiming for, and hit, King George's nostril.
And so, Thomas Hardy, applicant #41, having just witnessed a nearly perfect shot only moments before, turned away and began walking home. And then, his face, downcast at the prospect of lining up with fixed bayonets just 50 paces from one of the King's grenadier companies, suddenly brightened. What's that? I get a chance after all? But why? How? Do I still want a shot at it? You bet!
And so, Thomas Hardy, age 21, stepped up, squeezed off his not-so-perfect shot, and barely made it into Morgan's company. Ecstatic to be named a Rifleman and counted among Daniel Morgan's men, young Mr. Hardy got his kit together, marched 600 miles in 21 days to Massachusetts, was honored to meet General Washington in Cambridge, had the pleasure of ending several Redcoat officer's careers during the siege of Boston, fought at Saratoga and the Cowpens, and won the undying appreciation and affection of his countrymen in a war that changed the course of world history and secured Liberty for unborn millions.
But what became of shooter#40? Well, shooter #40 was not satisfied with his nearly perfect shot. You see, his ball did not hit King George's nostril dead center, but rather 1/4" high and 1/8" to the left. So shooter #40, his name lost to history, declined to join Morgan's company so that he could go get better sights, rounder ball and more purified powder. He also wanted to perfect his marksmanship skills, since clearly he was off his game that day. And so, shooter #40 spent the rest of the war becoming the best shot he could be, all the while seemingly oblivious to, or perhaps not caring, that his countrymen were fighting and dying in the field, contending for our Liberty.
And now you know...the rest of the story.
(Just in case it is not clear, yes, this story is fiction.)
UL
You had me, hook, line and sinker. Though it might be fictional, it's objective is very poinient.
UL
The story of the 41st shooter may not be quite historically perfect...being fiction and all. However, it is good enough.
It was privilege working with you at Bedford.
Loren
Now that's a post I understand completely! Well done. O0
A tip of the hat to that one. It might make for a good Sunday afternoon break story ....... between AQT grinds
Mike
(http://media3.giphy.com/media/ENagATV1Gr9eg/giphy.gif)
;)
"Don't let perfect get in the way of good enough."
Well told UL O0
Love.It.