“The Committee of Safety has appointed me to command this company of Riflemen and I have accepted the appointment. Once we have selected the members of the Rifle Company from the list of volunteers, we will hold a vote for the officers.

“We all know this is planting season for tobacco and corn. We also know volunteering for these duties will work a hardship for all of us who are about to move plants from seedbeds to our fields. Therefore, other than the Rifle Company selection on Friday we will not commence training, drills, and inspections until two weeks from today.

“Those of you with whom I have served know I have never asked others to do that which I cannot or would not do. I have never asked others to venture where I would not go. My tobacco fields are ready for planting as are yours. If we are called out for any length of service or sent a distance from home, we may not be here when it’s time to pull suckers, top the plants, or harvest the leaves.

“If that happens, Isaac Zane, Major Angus McDonald, and I are offering to lend you some of our slaves and indentured servants to assist your families. And finally, Thomas, Lord Fairfax, has renewed the pledge he made during our expedition to the Ohio, of a bounty of fifty acres to every man who completes one year of service.”5

At this, there was another loud “huzzah” from the crowd. Captain Morgan waited for the cheering to subside and pointing to a table on the far side of the porch, he shouted, “Those who wish to volunteer today, line up here, give your name to Major McDonald, put your mark on the muster roll, and have a cold cup of cider on me!”

There were more loud “huzzahs” as scores of men rushed to get in line. I could not help but notice there were a good number of women and girls in the crowd clinging to their husbands, brothers, and fathers. Not a few of them had tears flowing down their cheeks.

Captain Morgan watched the tumult for a few moments until Major McDonald gruffly shouted to restore a semblance of order. The Captain then motioned for Rev. Thruston and me to follow him back into the store’s great room. Pointing to a three-legged stool at the table where I first met him, he pulled up a seat across from me. Casey parked herself beside the rector at the end of the table as an unexpected interrogation commenced.

“I am told you can read and write well and do well with numbers. Is that correct?”

I nodded and replied, “Yes, sir.”

“Your father told me you are also a skilled marksman and hunter. Rev. Thruston said on the way here you hit a turkey ‘on wing’ with a single ball from your rifle. Is that all true?”