Morgan County was established in 1817 and named in honor of Brig. General Daniel Morgan, a veteran of the French and Indian War, second in command to Benedict Arnold on the Quebec Expedition in the Revolution, and later a commander in the South who decisively defeated Banastre Tarleton at Cowpens. Scott County was established in 1849 and named in honor of General Winfield Scott, a veteran of the War of 1812, the successful commander of the southern thrust into Mexico City during the Mexican War, and Chief of Staff of the Army until 1862, after which he served as military adviser to the President until his death.