Cowpens Battlefield Walking Tour

	Morgan's Flying Army Morgan's army came from many states -- the two Carolinas, Delaware, Georgia and Virginia. They were joined by the militia, some of whom had helped destroy the British Army of loyalist Americans under Ferguson at Kings Mountain. They camped nearby without tents and nervously awaited the dawn.
Spirit up the People Morgan chose this ground for its tactical advantages: a river to the rear to discourage ranks from breaking, rising ground on which to post his regulars, an open forest, and a marsh on one side to thwart flanking maneuvers.
	The Calvary (Dragoons) at Cowpens The open forest proved well-suited to calvary action. Fast-moving, hard-hitting mounted troops called Light Dragoons bolstered the 18th century infantry. At least seventy South Carolina and Georgia mounted militiamen, armed with pistols and sabers issued for use in this campaign, augmented the veteran eighty-plus-man American Dragoons of Lt Col William Washington. Posted in a swale nearby, they were hidden from the British.
The Continental Army at Cowpens This line consisted of Continentals from Maryland and Delaware as well as militia from Virginia and North Carolina. Seasoned veterans under Lt Col John Eager Howard of Maryland, they had served at least one year and were Morgan's most reliable troops. Many served for the duration of the war. They were trained, paid and uniformed by the Continental Congres.
	The footprints on the ground approximate the footprints of one man in the Continental Army. The height of the common soldier was 5'-5".
Let 'em Get Within Killin' Distance The Americans second line of defense stood in position here. About sunrise, the British appeared. The militia, though not trained to stand against massed British bayonets, fought well and shot with deadly effect.
	Sharpshooters at the Skirmish Line The sharpshooters at the skirmish line waited until Tarleton's army got within shooting distance. Their orders were to slow Tarleton's advance with well-aimed rifle fire then fall back to the militia second line. As the British came within range the militia delivered a deadly fire, dropping two-thirds of the officers, then funneled back through the Continental line.
Location of Sharpshooters
	Landscape Restoration Project In 1781 this field was a grassy meadow dotted with tall hardwoods, native grasses and cane. Today, the land is being restored to its appearance at the time of the battle.
Sword Clash on Green River Road Nearby, retreating British officers of the 17th Light Dragoons, clashed with pursuing American horseman led by Lt Col William Washington. He quickly outpaced his troops, broke his weapon at the hilt when he got into a sword fight with a British officer. According to legend, Washington's young servant rode up just in time, saving his life by shooting the attacking British officer. It is this account that probably inspired the artist William Ranney in 1845 to paint this vigorous battle scene. Washington and Tarleton raise their swords in the center while Washington's servant boy levels his pistol at a dragoon officer.
	The British Army British Commander, Lt Col Banastre Tarleton, ordered a detachment of calvary forward to scatter the American skirmishers. The green-uniformed British Legion--Americans loyal to the king--awaited the order to advance.
Form the Line of Battle Today Tarleton's force would be called a combined arms task force. It contained all the elements to conduct a quick movement and "engage an enemy." Ranks of red-coated fusiliers, regulars, and raw recruits of the 7th Regiment formed in this immediate area. Wetlands impeded the maneuvers of the 7th, and Tarleton initiated the battle before they were completely deployed.
	Skirmishers Retreat ~ British Advance After firing as ordered, the American sharpshooters retreated behind the line of the Continental force.
One of the Grasshoppers, a 3 pound cannon which jumped like a grasshopper when it fired
	A Race for the Grasshopper Near the end of the battle, as the Americans swept forward, two Continental officers sought to capture the enemy's light 3-pounder "grasshopper" cannons. Captain Anderson of Maryland won the race when he used his spontoon to vault forward onto one of the grasshoppers. Captain Kirkwood of Delaware captured the other.
Col Howard's Misunderstood Order
	Double Envelopement On this field the Continentals blunted the British. In less than an hour the crucial Battle of Cowpens had been decided. The classic use of the military tactic of "double envelopement" took place at the Batt of Cannae (in southern Italy) in 216 BC. There, soldiers under the command of Hannibal, surrounded and crushed a much larger, superior, Roman army.
Washington Light Infantry Monument
	Washington Light Infantry Monument
Washington Light Infantry Monument The Washington Light Infantry of Charleston, South Carolina, erected the monument in 1846 to commemorate the important American victory here. Though the years have changed much of the monument's original appearance, it stands today as the earliest testament to the valour of the Patriot Army at the Cowpens.
	Race to the Dan River
Examples of weapons used by the Patriot militia
	Reenactor of one of the Hessian troops who fought for the British. Holding a Ferguson rifle.
Monument at the Visitor's Center The Congress of the United States has caused this monument to be erected on the site of the BATTLE OF COWPENS as a testament to the valor and it's appreciation of the services of the American Forces on this field in behalf of the independence of this country.
	The U S Memorial Monument
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