By 4:00 we had completed only eleven ranks and a brief rain shower caused another delay. Some of those who were yet to compete began to grumble they would be at a disadvantage as darkness descended. After a quick parley, it was decided to run the final fifty through the course starting at 8:00 Saturday morning.

Though the competition was suspended, the crowd remained, much to the pleasure of Major Charles Smith, the tavern owner. He and his wife were still serving tin cups of rum and cider to a large group of paying customers when Casey and I departed for home.

When we arrived at the gate, Pieter came out with a lantern. He took the animals to the barn and I went into the house to write a note to my father.

At home in Winchester,

April 28th, 1775

Dear Father,

At the invitation of Captain Morgan, and with your blessing, I have accepted the post as Adjutant for his Rifle Company. Though it is uncertain when we shall be called to service, if I am not at home when you and Paul return, it means we have been called elsewhere.

Please keep me in your prayers, as you and Paul shall be in mine.

Most respectfully, your son,

Nathanael

When the competition resumed on Saturday morning, it proceeded flawlessly, in large part because Captain Morgan barred the consumption of any liquids other than tea, coffee, or water until the competition was over. By noon, all fifty remaining candidates completed the course and Major McDonald, Rev. Thruston, Captain Morgan, and I retired to a table in Major Smith’s establishment with the ten evaluators. A guard was posted outside the door with instructions to prevent anyone from entering without permission.

Our task was made simpler by eliminating any competitor who took more than ten minutes to complete the mile run and any who missed a target. That process winnowed the competitors to one hundred and twelve. The final dozen were determined by measuring the accuracy of their three shots on each target.

By 4:00 we had our roster of one hundred Riflemen. Captain Morgan told me to list them in alphabetical order on a single sheet of paper and make a single copy. Once I did so, he signed them both, then folded one sheet, and placed it in his pocket.

At this point, Rev. Thruston stepped up and said to all in the room, “Nathanael, when I give the word, Major McDonald will take the other copy, label it as ‘Captain Morgan’s Rifle Company,’ tack it to the board outside, and post a guard so no one removes it.”

Muster Roll of Captain Morgan’s Rifle Company

1. Adams, Mosby

2. Alford, John

3. Anderson, Daniel

4. Anderson, Paul

5. Anderson, Robert

6. Armstrong, Porter

7. Baker, Stuart

8. Ball, William

9. Bramingham, Curtis

10. Boykin, William G.

11. Brown, John

12. Brown, William

13. Bruin, Peter

14. Burns, John

15. Cackley, Benjamin

16. Chapman, Thomas

17. Churchill, Robert

18. Clay, John

19. Clay, Steven

20. Cochran, John

21. Colbert, Richard

22. Curtis, Adam

23. Dalton, Christopher

24. David, Martin

25. Davis, Daniel

26. Donaldson, John