u/DissentingJay

I came across this recently and I wanted to look more into the history of Pvt. Charles Morgan and his role as an American spy.

Private Morgan did not play a role in the capture of Major John Andre and I'm unsure why it says that on his grave. He was a member New Jersey Light Battalion and served as a spy for General Marquis de Lafayette and was tasked to gain intelligence related to the Battle of Yorktown.

A 2014 article from DIA Public Affairs titled "Good intelligence led to victory at Yorktown" explains how Private Morgan, "was sent into British General Charles Cornwallis’ camp posing as an American deserter. During his interrogation by the British, Morgan was able to convince the British that the French Marquis de Lafayette had enough vessels to move all French forces in a single landing operation." Another article confirms this account of deception by Pvt. Morgan against the British. This information by Pvt. Morgan led to General Cornwallis to hunker down, rather than retreat. With his mission complete Pvt. Morgan escaped the British camp and returned to the Continental Army.