Battle of Cowpens
The
Battle of Cowpens took place on January 17, 1781. It was called the
turning point of the war in the south. The Cowpens victory brought
together strong armies and leaders who made their mark on history.
From the Battle of Moore's Creek Bridge the British had
made early and mostly futile efforts in the South, including a failed
naval expedition to take Charleston in 1776.
[Two minute men waiting for prey]
The term "Cowpens" was used commonly to describing any South Carolina pastureland and associated early cattle industry. The field itself was some 500 yards long and just as wide, a park-like setting dotted with trees, but with out any undergrowth, having been kept clear by cattle grazing in the spring on native grasses and peavine.
At Cowpens Daniel Morgan worried
about getting food for the soldiers since the area around the Pacolet
River had been completely ransacked. But there was some meat available. In
addition there were many horses. Perhaps that was
Morgan's plan to go to Cowpens. He thought there would be a lot of grass
and even calves and cows to get beef from. He was right.
The battle was over in an hour.
It was a complete victory for the Patriot force.
British losses was a staggering: 110 dead, over 200 wounded and 500
captured. Morgan lost only 12 and 60 wounded.