The legend of the exergue of this medal, as originally proposed by the French Academy of Inscriptions and Belles-Lettres, was CÆSIS AUT CAPTIS AD COWPENS HOSTIUM * * SIGNIS RELATIS * * 17 JAN. 1781. The change was made at the suggestion of Jefferson.
Augustin Dupré was born in St. Etienne, France, October, 1748. He began life as a workman in a manufactory of arms. In 1768 he went to Paris as apprentice to an engraver, and became one of the most distinguished medal engravers of the latter part of the 18th century. Among his works are the celebrated five franc piece known as "à l'Hercule," the five centime and one decime pieces, on which the head of Liberty is the profile of Madame Récamier, and seven medals relating to America: John Paul Jones, General Morgan, General Greene, Libertas Americana, the Diplomatic medal, and two of Franklin. Dupré was engraver-general of the Paris Mint from July, 1791, to 1801, when he was dismissed by General Bonaparte, then first consul. He died at Armentières, January 31, 1833.
Daniel Morgan was born in Hunterdon County, New Jersey, in 1736. In early life he served as a teamster in General Braddock's army, and afterward settled in Frederick (now Clarke) County, Virginia. In 1775 he was captain of a rifle company, and served under Washington. He accompanied General Arnold to Canada, and was made prisoner at Quebec; he served again under Washington, as colonel of a rifle regiment, in 1776, and greatly distinguished himself under General Gates at Saratoga. He was brigadier-general in 1780, served in the South under Generals Gates and Greene, and won the brilliant victory of the Cowpens, January 17, 1781, for which Congress gave him a vote of thanks and a gold medal. Soon afterward he resigned from ill health, and retired to his plantation. He was a member of Congress from 1795 to 1799. In 1780 he removed to Winchester, Virginia, where he died July 6, 1802.
ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS.
Resolutions of Congress Voting Medals to General Morgan and to Lieutenant-Colonels Washington and Howard, etc.
By the United States in Congress Assembled.
Considering it as a tribute due to distinguished merit to give a public approbation of the conduct of Brigadier-General Morgan, and of the officers and men under his command, on the 17th day of January last, when with 80 cavalry and 237 infantry of the troops of the United States, and 553 militia from the States of Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia, he obtained a complete and important victory over a select and well appointed detachment of more than 1,100 British troops commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Tarleton; do therefore resolve:—