Posted on Jan 17, 2026
Battle of Cowpens, South Carolina | January 17, 1781 | HISTORY
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Relying upon strategic creativity, Brigadier General Daniel Morgan and a mixed Patriot force rout British Lieutenant Colonel Banastre Tarleton and a group of Redcoats and Loyalists at the Battle of Cowpens on January 17, 1781. It would become a turning point on the American Revolution's southern front.
Commander in chief of the Southern Army, Major General Nathaniel Greene had decided to divide Patriot forces in the Carolinas in order to force the larger British contingent under General Charles Cornwallis to fight them on multiple fronts—and because smaller groups of men were easier for the beleaguered Patriots to feed. Daniel Morgan took 300 Continental riflemen and 740 militiamen with the intention of attacking the British backcountry fort, Ninety-Six.
In response, Cornwallis dispatched Tarleton with 1,100 Redcoats and Loyalists to catch Morgan, whom he feared might instigate a broad-based backcountry Patriot uprising. Morgan prepared for the encounter with Tarleton by backing his men up to a river at Cowpens, north of Ninety-Six.
Commander in chief of the Southern Army, Major General Nathaniel Greene had decided to divide Patriot forces in the Carolinas in order to force the larger British contingent under General Charles Cornwallis to fight them on multiple fronts—and because smaller groups of men were easier for the beleaguered Patriots to feed. Daniel Morgan took 300 Continental riflemen and 740 militiamen with the intention of attacking the British backcountry fort, Ninety-Six.
In response, Cornwallis dispatched Tarleton with 1,100 Redcoats and Loyalists to catch Morgan, whom he feared might instigate a broad-based backcountry Patriot uprising. Morgan prepared for the encounter with Tarleton by backing his men up to a river at Cowpens, north of Ninety-Six.
Battle of Cowpens, South Carolina | January 17, 1781 | HISTORY
Posted from history.com
American History
War of Independence
Tactics
Posted 8 d ago
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A nice cursory look at the battle. I loved reading this: https://www.armyupress.army.mil/Journals/NCO-Journal/Archives/2020/August/Battle-of-Cowpens/
The tensions following the French and Indian War and the suppressive nature of Great Britain, led to the start of the American Revolution. The purpose of this article is to provide a tactical overview of the Battle of Cowpens and the strategic importance of the outcome.
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Lt Col Charlie Brown as I read through this article, I realized I forgot to remember that this continent was colonized by British looking tto make a new home.
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