The Battle of Cowpens

The Battle of Cowpens is often considered one of the turning points in the southern theater of the war and one of the most defining battles of the entire American Revolution. On that January day, the peaceful pasturelands known as the “cow pens” witnessed 2,000 men engaged in a violent struggle. When the smoke settled, the Americans had earned a decisive victory against one of the British Army’s most notorious cavalry commanders.

History

When General George Washington selected Major General Nathanael Greene to manage the southern theater of the war in October 1780, Greene had no idea what he was getting himself into. Earlier that year, the main American army under command of General Benjamin Lincoln was captured when the British Army laid siege to Charleston in May. To make matters worse, the only other American force, pieced together under commander of General Horatio Gates, was soundly defeated in the Battle of Camden on August 16, 1780. This loss essentially destroyed any organized resistance to the British Army in the Carolinas.

Thankfully for General Greene and the American war effort, a tried-and-true veteran named Daniel Morgan returned to service in September 1780. He was promoted to brigadier general and took command of a corps of light troops. General Greene arrived in December and immediately began to put together a stout fighting force to counter the British Army under General Cornwallis. The steely determination of these men can still be seen in these post-war portraits of Daniel Morgan (left – 1794 by Charles Wilson Peale) and Nathanael Greene (right – 1783 by Charles Wilson Peale).

Although the American Army faced a superior force, General Greene decided to divide his army and hoped that General Cornwallis would do the same. General Daniel Morgan was dispatched into western South Carolina with the “Flying Army,” which consisted of a corps of Light Infantry, militia, and Lt. Colonel William Washington’s regiment of Light Dragoons. The goal of this Flying Army was to threaten the British left flank and “to give protection to that part of the country and spirit up the people” (as written by General Greene to Morgan). Once Cornwallis learned of Morgan’s force lurking on his left flank, he sent the British Legion and some light troops under command of the infamous Lt. Colonel Banastre Tarleton in pursuit.

In preparation for battle, Morgan called for additional militia from the region to bolster his force. From many years of experience, Morgan was fully aware that his force was no match for the well-trained British troops armed with bayonets; therefore, he sought to position his troops in a way to take full advantage of their strengths and the terrain. He selected an open wood known as the “cow pens” (due to its use as grazing land for cattle), which was near the border with North Carolina. He specifically chose this location due to its terrain: there was a river to the rear of his position (to hopefully discourage his troops from retreating), a series of rises and ravines, open ground to allow cavalry movements, and a marsh on one side to hopefully prevent a flanking movement by the enemy. Straddling a road in the area (later known as the Green River Road), Morgan positioned his force of 970 men in three battle lines. The first line consisted of sharpshooters from Georgia and North Carolina, the second line of Andrew Pickens’ militia were positioned 90 yards behind them, and the third line of Lt. Colonel John Eager Howard’s Maryland and Delaware Continental troops were 150 yards behind the militia. Lastly, Lt. Colonel William Washington’s cavalry was positioned in the rear just out of sight.

Just before dawn on January 17, 1781, Tarleton’s force of 1,070 troops came into view to the southeast. He formed his battle line with infantry at the center, 50 dragoons on each flank, and a brigade of Highlanders and ~200 dragoons in reserve. Cavalry scattered the American sharpshooters (the first line) as the British main line shouted and marched forth towards Pickens’ militia (the second line) at quickstep. Once in range, the American militia opened fire and made sure to target British officers. After two volleys, the militia hastily withdrew behind Howard’s Continentals (the third line). During this withdrawal, British dragoons on the right galloped forward in pursuit, but were met by Lt. Colonel William Washington’s cavalry, which slammed into them from seemingly out of nowhere.

Now with momentum, the British main line pressed on towards Howard’s Continentals as the Highlanders aggressively attacked the American right flank. To counter this threat, Lt. Colonel Howard ordered his right flank to fall back and reform at an angle; however, in the din of battle, his order was misunderstood and his entire line fell back in retreat. General Morgan witnessed this error and immediately rode forward to rally his men at a new location.

As the British eagerly pressed forth, the American troops rallied with their commander, faced about, and fired a devastating volley into the enemy. Thus commenced fierce and desperate hand-to-hand fighting between the two sides. Amidst the chaos, Lt. Colonel Washington’s cavalry entered the fray just as Pickens’ militia re-joined the fight- the double envelopment was complete. This forced the overwhelmed British troops to surrender, while a few made their escape.

As the gunfire became scattered and then ceased, Morgan’s troops took stock of their resounding victory. In the end, out of 1,050 British troops, 600 were captured or missing, 110 killed, and 229 wounded. The American’s suffered 24 killed and 104 wounded- a clear one-sided victory. In the famous words of Daniel Morgan, they gave the British a “devil of a whipping.”

Interesting Facts

• The entire battle lasted less than one hour! (although I am sure it felt much longer for those engaged)
• In the wake of the battle, only Lt. Colonel Banastre Tarleton and 54 dragoons escaped capture- they hastily returned to the main army to report their galling defeat
• The 1856 Washington Light Infantry monument on Cowpens Battlefield is the earliest monument erected in honor of those who fought there
• Following the battle, Morgan realized he had to quickly depart the area to avoid a British counter-attack. Remarkably, just eight hours after the battle, he had moved his entire force and 600 British prisoners across the Broad River

Our Visit & Recommendations

Cowpens National Battlefield is located in Gaffney, South Carolina, and is preserved by the National Park Service. I recommend beginning your journey at the visitor center (4001 Chesnee Highway), which has a gift shop, exhibits, and park rangers to answer any of your questions. While you’re there, check out the remarkable stone monument in front of the visitor center, which was dedicated in 1932 to the men who fought in the Battle of Cowpens. Be sure to take some time admiring it and reading the bits of information on each side (it lists the exact troop numbers for both the British and American armies).

In my opinion, the best way to tour Cowpens National Battlefield is to walk the ~1 mile battlefield loop trail that circumnavigates the heart of the battlefield (in a clockwise fashion). Conveniently, the trail begins and ends at the visitor center and parking lot. It was a hot late-spring day when I set out on the trail and I could not wait to explore!

While some of the trail is paved, a good majority of it coincides with the historic Green River Road, which remains a dirt path to this day. Also, the trail is clearly marked with signage and interpretive markers throughout to enhance your experience.

Once you reach where the battlefield trail joins the Historic Green River Road, you will be where General Morgan positioned his forces prior to the battle. The terrain, trees, and brush that you see today is largely similar to how it was during the battle, which helps to understand Morgan’s tactical positioning of his troops. As you walk down the battlefield trail/Green River Road, you will be heading in the direction that Tarleton and the British forces attacked from.

A bit further down the trail is the silhouette of a soldier and an interpretive sign, which marks the approximate spot where the Maryland and Delaware Continental soldiers under Lt. Colonel John Eager Howard were positioned. In fact, there were also militiamen from North Carolina and Virginia who served alongside the Continental soldiers to make up the American second line.

At this spot is also a stone in the ground with two footprints and the words “stand in a Revolutionary soldier’s footprints.” Of course, I had to take advantage of this fun opportunity and look forward, trying to imagine an intimidating line of British soldiers mechanically moving forward towards my position.

As you continue down the trail, you will soon reach the area where Andrew Pickens’ militia were positioned (the second line). On display is the silhouette of a sharpshooter (to your right) and a few interpretive signs, to include one that displays the famous order to the militia: “let ’em get within killin’ distance.”

Although Pickens’ militia only got off two shots, their aim was true and nearly two-thirds of British officers were killed in the volleys. Immediately following their deadly fire, the militia made an organized retreat to behind the line of Continental troops.

As you reach the point on the battlefield trail where it bends to the right, you will have reached the initial position of British troops. Nearby are a few interpretive signs, to include one that describes an action that took place late in the battle. After the main British Army had largely surrendered, a few dozen British dragoons departed the battlefield and were pursued by Lt. Colonel William Washington’s patriot cavalry. It was near this sign that the two forces clashed and where, according to legend, Washington broke his sword at the hilt during a fight with a British officer. Prior to being struck down, Washington was saved by his young servant, who rode up and shot the British officer (as depicted in William Ranney’s 1845 painting, which is displayed on this sign).

Nearby is also a sign describing the British troops that served under Lt. Colonel Banastre Tarleton during the battle, which faces in the direction of the American position.

As the battlefield trail loops clockwise and you begin your walk back towards the visitor center, there is still plenty more to see! One sign that caught my eye describes the canebrake restoration that the park is undertaking, which seeks to restore and preserve the rivercane (bamboo) that is native to the area and was present during the Battle of Cowpens. In fact, these thick rivercane thickets impeded the movement of British troops and forced them to proceed down Green River Road towards the main American lines.

As you continue, you will come to a field that provides a clear view of where the initial actions of the battle took place. This is the field that the American skirmishers retreated across and were pursued by eager British troops.

Next is the area where two British light 3-pounder “grasshopper” cannons were captured by American forces during the closing stages of the battle. As Continental troops and their officers excitedly raced towards the abandoned field pieces, Captain Anderson of the Maryland Continentals actually used his spontoon to vault himself onto one of the cannons! The second piece was captured by Captain Kirkwood of the Delaware Continentals.

A nearby sign describes the misunderstood order given by Lt. Colonel John Eager Howard, which led to his entire line retreating. Thankfully, General Morgan rallied his troops and led a vicious counterattack against the enemy, which ultimately broke their will to fight and ended the battle.

Towards the end of your walk (as you proceed back towards the visitor center), you will pass the Washington Light Infantry Monument. This interesting monument was erected in 1856 near the area where the Battle of Cowpens ended.

Legacy

The Battle of Cowpens was truly one of the most stunning American victories of the Revolutionary War. Not only did patriot troops prove their mettle in combat, but a superior British force was routed and almost entirely captured. Although Lt. Colonel Banastre Tarleton escaped to fight another day, his fierce reputation was forever tarnished (his actions were chastised by senior officers and he even submitted his resignation, although it was not accepted). After the Battle of Cowpens, the famous “Race to the Dan” occurred, in which General Nathanael Greene’s army skillfully evaded General Cornwallis and led the British Army far from their supply base in Charleston. By February 14, 1781, the American Army crossed the Dan River into the safety of Virginia, avoiding destruction and prolonging the war in the south.

Book recommendation: A Devil of a Whipping: The Battle of Cowpens, by: Lawrence E. Babits