A REAL SWORD FIGHT: Washington Vs Tarleton at Cowpens 1781 (4th July American War of Independence)

[@VideoMask93]

"Queue" probably refers to the ponytail many officers wore in that time! Talk about a close shave if he'd managed to cut that off.

[@ichimaru96]

Yes this is exactly it The term queue was also used to refer to the long braid that men were forced to grow during the Qing dynasty in China (by foreign sources of course, the han and manchu probably had their own names each )

[@daveh7720]

@@ichimaru96 That was the first thing I thought of when Matt mentioned the queue.

[@Quincy_Morris]

Literally

[@deadhorse1391]

Yes…I find it difficult to believe that it could be cut off using a sword like that especially not injuring the man severely Probably was said as a way to disgrace him

[@brittakriep2938]

This ,Pony tail' caused troubles in the troops of a Swiss Canton with mixed population. The soldiers had to have such a Pony tail, but this was a french habit, so that the german language soldiers had been angry.

[@sststr]

Fun trivia fact of the day: while the USS Missouri was known as the Mighty Mo, the USS Cowpens (CVL-25) was known as the Mighty Moo!

[@MrNatWhilk]

A friend served on the aegis cruiser Cowpens. He said the ship’s motto was “Watch your step”! 😂

[@victorwaddell6530]

@@MrNatWhilk I sailed on the Ticonderoga Class Guided Missile Cruiser USS Antietam CG 54 as an Operations Specialist . I live near the town of Cowpens South Carolina and the Cowpens Battleground in Spartanburg County S.C. Hello Shipmate !

[@Brigadier9]

The irony being that CVL-25 when she was fully tooled up with air group and whatnot probably had as many or more people aboard than the entire engaged forces of the Battle of COwpens.

[@Hibernicus1968]

If he struck at his head, and "cut of his queue," I think that can only mean he cut off the hair that was gathered together and worn in a "tail" at the nape of the neck -- think of 18th century hairstyles. Later on, I know the pigtail worn by Chinese men in the 19th century (a legal requirement in Qing dynasty China), was referred to as a queue.

[@scholagladiatoria]

Yes that makes sense.

[@Bluehawk2008]

You might also occasionally come across reference to "buckles", which refer to the pipe-formed curls in front of the ear worked into wigs or natural hair, and have nothing to do with leather belts.

[@diktatoralexander88]

A british person talking fondly to Americans on 4th of July, this is a welcome surprise. Happy independence day everyone

[@lightbox617]

Not really a surprise. Spend some time in any part of Europe from West to East and you will see the relevance of the American experience even if it luster has somewhat faded in the last few years

[@jesuizanmich]

My impression is that most British people don't hold any animosity towards US independence. My British friends would enthusiastically greet you a happy 4th of July if you're American, just like they would the holidays of any other nation they know of. The fact it involved a war with the British Empire 250 years ago doesn't seem to matter much (if not make it more so a reason not to care about it). From period letters, we can see that even the British at the time were divided about the issue; King George III did receive his share of criticism from British citizens. But also, It appears it was considered another of the hundreds of wars going on in different colonies at the time.

[@bradjohnson4787]

Many English pols at the time had sympathy for the "colonies"!

[@daveh7720]

@@jesuizanmich Lots of wars are fought between (or against) governments. They're just fought by individuals who generally would rather be doing something else. Even when propaganda is used to convince one group that every member of another group is the enemy, it's the governments that are spreading the propaganda.

[@Arkantos117]

Well the war for independence happened because the colonials were so English in mindset so we don't really hold it against them, except in jest.

[@michaelfuson4490]

From an American to our British cousins, thanks for wishing us a happy independence day. You gave us one hell of a fight.

[@MonkeyJedi99]

We got the New World, they got the extra "u"s in words.

[@dragonknightleader1]

Besides, the British got to burn down the White House later, which was pretty based.

[@wodensreign9839]

what about them makes them our "cousins"??

[@LesserMoffHootkins]

@@wodensreign9839 Blood

[@murrismiller2312]

twice ....dont forget the war of 1812

[@genuinehawken]

I think coverage of historical duels and swordfights would be a great series. Its cool to to see the analysis of how or why something might have gone down the way it did

[@Glimmlampe1982]

Yes, and the special customs around it. I read, or better hear, a book from the end of the 17th or beginning of the 18th century. And the chapter today involved a duel of honor between two noblemen/officers in Spain, where they explain the custom that typically both parties had lots of sekundanten (what's the english term for that?) and those also did fighting alongside or after the main duel. So basically like 14 officers got into a huge fight, with basically everybody either dead or wounded:D That might be one of the reasons why they did ban duels, especially in the military. One fight and the whole officer corps ends either in bed or 5 feet under ..

[@edmadden2091]

Agree 💯. Swordsmanship is fascinating.

[@wayneparker9331]

Matt, you may not have opted to discuss it in detail but Banastre Tarleton was a particularly infamous British cavalry officer during the War for Independence. His troops after the Battle of Waxhaw Creek killed a number of Virginian Continental Army soldiers (as opposed to militia) in cold blood after they’d surrendered. From this point on, American soldiers in the conflict frequently used the phrase “Tarleton’s quarter” to refer to not taking prisoners or killing them out of hand when they tried to surrender. Thanks, Matt, from an American and big fan of your KZbin channel!!!! 🇺🇸🇬🇧

[@gijoe508]

In fairness Tarleton’s horse was shot by the Americans after they had already put up a white flag and surrounded, that was when the British killed the surrendering Americans. There are also multiple other incidents documented where Americans pretended to surrender the shot the British troops in other engagements, we Americans tend to gloss over that side of things, but as in all wars neither side had their hands clean.

[@grassroot011]

Also the Americans referred to him as ," Bloody Ban." for this very reason.

[@blacksquirrel4008]

Indeed, in grade school we always referred to him as Banastre “the Butcher” Tarleton. The queue mentioned was likely his bound hair, a braid.

[@uncletiggermclaren7592]

They didn't kill the Rebels from Virginia "in cold blood after they surrendered". They DID kill some who thought their surrender had been accepted, but given the British Commander was laying trapped under his horse, and some of the rebels kept firing and and others were riding away with their arms and banners, there had been no surrender accepted. The battle continued until it was clear there had been a decisive defeat given to the rebels. What else could anyone expect?.

[@uncletiggermclaren7592]

@@gijoe508 And BEFORE battle was joined, the British sent an envoy forward and offered to accept the rebel's surrender. "Resistance being vain, to prevent the effusion of human blood, I make offers which can never be repeated", was the British offer. The rebel commander, aware that he out numbered the British by 200 men, answered "I reject your proposals, and shall defend myself to the last extremity.". The last extremity. Superior forces. Prepared in line of battle, and prepared for half an hour before the attack. It was therefore ESSENTIAL that the British attack and destroy the rebels, no half measures, no hesitation, and they were RIGHT to continue to fight once they got to grips. And the rebels did NOT all throw down their arms, a hundred rode off attempting to escape with their arms.

[@edmadden2091]

As an American thank you for this story. I'm a history buff and this is a tale I had not heard before. To all of our cousins across the pond thank you and I wish you all good fortune. Cheers 🥂

[@kevindelapp7533]

What a treat, thank you, Matt! I live just a few miles from Cowpens and visit the battle site and visitor center frequently. The didactic material they have there has a couple interesting additions as well as discrepancies. First, Washington's young trumpeter who came to his aid with the pistol is always described as Black. Second, apparently Washington's sword broken at/near the hilt at some point during the exchange (perhaps even prior to wounding Tarleton's hand, although I've never understood how that could work). Third, an 1845 painting by William Ranney of the encounter seems to show everyone using swords with only basic knuckle-bows. Finally, Washington's pursuit didn't end when Tarleton shot his horse; apparently he got a fresh one and continued the chase for 16 miles, until Tarleton eventually made it to the plantation of a Loyalist who helped him escape for good. Anyway, thank you for this 4th of July content!

[@davidhayes6891]

Im pleased to point out, the second to last paragraph of our Declaration of Independence final sentence contains this sentiment," in war Enemies, in Peace Friends." Thanks Matt for the terrific story and to our now British friends.

[@PhilKelley]

I have been to Cowpens and it was an eye-opening experience. It is literally in the middle of nowhere. The two "armies" met there purely by coincidence. By today's standards, the numbers engaged on each side were exceedingly small. The resulting win by the Americans at Cowpens and King's Mountain was to have an effect which was out-of-proportion to the size of the battle: the British decided they could not win in the South, so they essentially pulled out. In terms of a follow-up, the battle of King's Mountain would make a great episode.

[@kspringerrw]

They didn't pull out of the south. They crushed the Americans at Camden which ended Gates career as a field commander and killed de Kalb. Cowpens was part of a fighting retreat by the Americans under Gates' replacement, Greene, as Cornwallis pursued them north before going to resupply at Yorktown and getting trapped by the French navy and combined American and French forces. Cowpens was an incredible tactical victory for Daniel Morgan and great morale boost, but it was essentially a rearguard effort to slow the British pursuit of Greene's army because the strategic plan was to draw them away from Charleston and stretch out British supply lines to the breaking point.

[@PhilKelley]

@@kspringerrw I appreciate the correction. I was only stating what I recalled of the official story we were given at the site. I would appreciate some recommended readings, please.

[@VictorEngland-br3rl]

Unfortunately, few swords were in use at Kings Mountain.

[@williamanderson6006]

I hate to correct you they didn't meet by coincidence Daniel Morgan picked that spot

[@PhilKelley]

@@williamanderson6006 I appreciate the correction. I was stating my recollection from what I read at the site, which was not a lot. I may have inferred that, so I apologize.

[@Alefiend]

Thanks for the stories, Matt. Thanks also to you and yours for the friendship between our two nations, despite us testing one another's patience from time to time.

[@nohero178]

To be able to look back on the Revolution with clear eyes and appreciate it for what it is now, an important piece of shared history, is truly gratifying. Well done, Matt!

[@aceroadholder2185]

If you are driving through South Carolina on Interstate 85, the battlefield is about 10 miles off the main highway. The battlefield terrain is maintained in about the condition it was in 1781. The Kings Mountain battlefield is about 20 miles up the Interstate just after crossing into North Carolina. British general Fergason's grave is there, near where he fell. Both battlefields are usually lightly attended and you can walk the grounds. They aren't very large and it is easy to see where the events of the battles took place.

[@crazypetec-130fe7]

Thank you, Matt. You're a credit to your culture. If you decide to come across the pond and settle down with us Yanks, you'd be a welcome and appreciated citizen here.

[@Valkanna.Nublet]

As a Brit I would like to say "happy freedom day" to the colonials

[@goldenageofdinosaurs7192]

Thank you! I sometimes wonder if it mightn’t been better if we had lost, but the die’s been cast & we’re all riding along on the ‘Great Experiment.’ 🇺🇸❤️🇬🇧

[@BigBatts]

Thanks. Have fun at work!

[@agogecoach8790]

Thank you!

[@markfergerson2145]

@@shinobi-no-buenoConsidering the direction England has gone lately, I can’t help but agree. Individual freedoms are under fire here in the States as well as there but I much prefer what we’ve got, and our process for mitigating infringements on them. On the other hand we have only the history we know. No telling what might have been.

[@mcsnaffle5443]

@@goldenageofdinosaurs7192 It would have been better had you lost (for you at least), there are no doubts.

[@michaelhardin1945]

I live not 45 min from the battlefield at cowpens and am very surprised and thankful that some of our local tales are known across the pond. Love the channel.

[@SomasAcademy]

The term "queue" referred to a range of styles of long, tied hair during this period (as well as to tie-on braids and ponytails that could be worn for fashion), so when Washington "cut off his queue" that's probably what it was referring to; you can fill in the word "ponytail" or "braid" and get a similar meaning.

[@petrikokko1441]

Rat tail of his wig rather.

[@Theduckwebcomics]

Not ponytail, but pigtail. People these days always confuse the two 😅

[@SomasAcademy]

@@Theduckwebcomics I've never seen anyone claim that a cluster of hair worn on the back of the head isn't a ponytail, and in my experience "pigtails" usually refers to a pair of braids or tied up bunches of hair worn at the sides of the heads. What definition are you using?

[@suburbanbanshee]

Any braid is also a pigtail. If Washington cut off a hair extension or switch, that would make sense too.

[@SomasAcademy]

@@suburbanbanshee I see, queues weren't always braids though - as I said in my initial comment, they could be braids or ponytails (and obviously if pigtails are any braids that statement wouldn't make sense with "pigtails" instead of "ponytails," since it would mean "braids or braids").

[@GeneralNatGreene]

I grew up near Cowpens! This story was a beloved part of my childhood's historical mythos. Thank you so much for sharing this story!

[@brandonhughes179]

On behalf of the USA, my deepest thanks to Matt and our other British friends for the goodwill and well wishes! To Matt's point, accounts of single combat are definitely interesting. It would also be interesting to hear about how various nations (France and Britain in particular, and the differences between the two) influenced the way America styled its military in the olden days.

[@johnkeviljr9625]

Thank You! Great accounting of the swordfight. I have studied, read and attended seminars in South Carolina regarding this exchange. Here is what I believe to be true: Tarleton lost two fingers at the Battle of Guilford Courthose in a melee with Col Harry Lee and Lee’s Legion two months after The Battle of Cowpens. At Cowpens, the Red team had a bad day. Tarleton was in command of the entire Red Team. He rode back to get his reserve to come up to fight. But the reserves would not engage. Blue team cavalry had double enveloped the Red team so, as Tarleton was trying to get his his reserve involved, Washington was looking for Tarleton and yelled “Where now is the boasting Tarleton?” Washington looked and saw Tarleton across the field and charged, ahead of his men. Tarleton saw Washington approaching and went straight for Washington with two dragoons. Colin, Washington’s bugler boy raced after Washington with another blue dragoon. Washington and Tarleton crossed swords and Washington’s sword broke 6-8” above the hilt. Washington then parried Tarleton’ second thrust with the broken sword. Colin shot one of the dragoons with Tarleton, and a Blue team dragoon took out the other Red team dragoon. Tarleton swung his horse around and pistol shot Washington. Washington’s thigh was grazed but his horse went down injured. That is how the fight ended even though the Blue team, with Washington, went after Tarleton and his guys, after getting regrouped in a few minutes. Kind of exciting.

[@andreweden9405]

Matt, as an American, this was a major treat! Thank you! Btw, as I sit and type this, I'm just a few miles away from battle sites that involved the use of edged weapons: one from the Revolution (the Capture of Vincennes in 1779), and two from the War of 1812 (the Battle of Tipton's Island & the Pigeon Roost Massacre). Although, being here in Indiana, you would've seen tomahawks used every bit as much as sabers, if not more so.😁 Finally, have you ever seen the dagger that was excavated at the Saratoga battlefield? It's pretty amazing, and survives in pretty amazing condition. It's very spike-like and stabby (although single-edged), and is thought to be of German make. Due to this, it's thought that it likely belonged to one of the Hessian mercenaries.

[@VictorEngland-br3rl]

The German troops where auxiliary, not Mercenaries

[@andreweden9405]

@@VictorEngland-br3rl , Thank you for your correction. I'm perfectly willing to accept that I may have been misinformed on that particular detail. In popular culture at least, it seems like they've almost always been referred to as "Hessian mercenaries". However, given the German connection with the British Royal Family, it makes sense that they would actually be auxiliary troops. In any case, I highly recommend that you check out that dagger I was talking about!😁

[@pjstatenisland1575]

Tarleton reminds me of many politicians...easily offended by personal attacks, not much offended by all the lives lost under their charge...love the remarks from the ladies! Funny!

[@kellyreed-hathaway3729]

What an informative and entertaining video! Washington himself was wounded in his right hand at the battle of Trenton, and a painting done by Trumbull shows him standing at the Hessian surrender with his hand bandaged. I've got a few documents written by him shortly after the war and you'd never tell by his witing that he was wounded at all. What an incredibly strong American hero.

[@williamstearns7490]

British or American, I love reading the accounts of their experiences. The British have a much longer and richer history of land and sea battles, as well as their exploration, colonies, and trade. The British letters, diaries and memoirs they wrote, or told to an author, are amazing reads. Thank you for sharing this one with us! 😊

[@mitcharcher7528]

Everyone should buy that book. I picked it up a few years ago (after hearing you hawk it for ages), and my copy is already dog eared. Fantastic stuff! Educational and entertaining as hell.

[@VictorEngland-br3rl]

Based in Matt's reading, the book just regurgitates the same old US war stories intended to build national spirit after the war. They are wildly inaccurate. I won't waste my money on it.

[@mitcharcher7528]

US war stories? In a book about the British? Okay. The book has a very large collection of first hand accounts of historical combat. It is not jingoistic or political at all. The stories do not always make the British seem better. But go ahead and miss out. Your loss.

[@gameragodzilla]

Definitely cool to see swords and melee duels still around because yeah, pistols then were single shot and slow to load. It’s also the reason why Bowie knives were so popular amongst the civilians. I think swords only started waning in use after the invention of the revolver. 6 shots is a massive jump from 1. Then later, automatics that you could reload by simply shoving a new magazine inside further cemented that.

[@brittakriep2938]

I am german and Brittas boyfriend. In my country after French Revolution wars, and especially after Napoleonic wars, carrying a sword by civilians was simply no more allowed, open carry of firearms also. There had been of course few exeptions. In some towns a citizens militia was allowed as Support for Army and Police, the target shooters sometimes had meetings , competitions or parades, also people with a hunting licence could carry their hunting weapons when hunting. Also some high noblemen, which lost their territories in Napoleonic era, had special rights.. So after 1815 a german Gentleman had to replace his saddle pistols with pocket pistols, and his smallsword with cane or swordcane. Ordinary german was usually to poor to buy weapons. So farmers usually had only their EDC knife, a simple stick/cane/ club or Tools. But strangely in 1848/ 49 a small libertination happeded. A long hunting knife, called Hirschfänger, was now allowed for everyone ( who had the Money), before a Hirschfänger was only allowed for noblemen, Professional hunters and Forrest officials ( Förster). Nowadays bladed sidearms are totally uncommon in Germany, but sometimes you see sabers at parades of historic citizens militias, parades of target shooters or by bavarian pilgrims escorts. Hirschfänger are sometimes still used for huntsmens ceremonies.

[@rickstorm719]

I have read Tarleton's life story but knew nothing of his fight with Washington. Your accounts of the dining conversations are delightful, he got his earthly comeuppance in many ways! Thanks, mate!

[@wompa70]

You find the best stories. I’d love to hear more about the first true world war. Almost, anyway. The Seven Years’ War. Most people (at least, most non-history buff people) don’t realize it started in 1754 with French and English colonies in America.

[@blitz8425]

Happy 4th everyone! Thanks for the history on our nations birthday, Matt 🥳

[@nicholasmartin8208]

Thank you for this. I currently live about 30 minutes away from the Battle of Cowpens. When I was a kid me and my friends used to play next to a Revolutionary War Cemetery.

[@Lungorthin666]

Happy July 4th everyone! 🎉

[@marxbruder]

As a few others have said, queue referred to the ponytail worn by soldiers at the time. There were a couple popular styles, but the two most popular were 1) tuck the tail in a small black bag, and tie it on with a ribbon and 2) braid the tail, then fold it back up and tuck the end under the cap. False queues were also a thing. These were basically just the ponytail part of a wig, which would bee tied to the head with a ribbon. False queues were not common among officers, who generally wore their hair long, but were not unknown. Under a hat or cap, it's hard to tell the difference between natural hair and a false queue.

[@Theduckwebcomics]

Not a ponytail but a pigtail. The names refer to the shape of the hair. It seems to be one of those things no one understands now.

[@tattoobillyband7725]

Had an ancestor who was said to recieve a sword slash from Tarleton in his hand

[@StalinLovsMsmZioglowfagz]

He was that cavalryshit, right?

[@vexhenry]

​@@StalinLovsMsmZioglowfagzBasically

[@tattoobillyband7725]

@@StalinLovsMsmZioglowfagz no infantry

[@StalinLovsMsmZioglowfagz]

@@tattoobillyband7725 Tarleton, I meant Tarleron. I’d never cast aspersions upon a patriot, brother.

[@fredalbrecht986]

Love old stories of famous event's and/or figures. Especially with a bit of humor. Thank you for this.

[@TheFlyguywill]

Thanks for the great story, Matt. I can just picture a group of finely dressed women snottily engaging Tarleton, much to his embarrassment. Happy Independence Day, my American friends!

[@zsoltbocsi7546]

Storytime with Uncle Matt is my favourite

[@jamesc8259]

Thank you for wishing us a happy 4th and thank you very much for all accounts of the amazing story.

[@joelhodge7914]

Thanks for your genuine holiday cheer for our independence. I was six years in the American navy, and am very interested in the later evolution of edged combat, particularly naval, from the boxer rebellion through modern times. The blades became shorter I'm most cases, but were used more frequently than is generally credited, cutlasses to Kabars and smatchets, machetes, Kris knives and samurai swords.

[@1248dl]

Thank you for your good wishes. Yes, please more about the American war of Independence. Happy Independence Day!

[@artemisdarkslayer]

Definitely would love more about the close combat of the revolutionary war

[@Goshin65]

Thanks. I live near the Cowpens Battlefield memorial, it's quite a nice park these days. Got a room that speaks of the battle with swords and muskets on display, etc. Nice to hear my little home town mentioned.

[@daemonharper3928]

Great as usual Matt. I do like to Joke with our American brethren about how they celebrate that little skirmish in one of our minor colonies.......but always 100% in jest. Happy 4th of July, here's to at least another 284.

[@randydickinson4864]

The best part of all is that, after all, we can still fight side by side when it counts.

[@Tiger74147]

Loved the closing, "It's all history now!" Great to be friends with the lads across the pond. ...also, tea party ladies are BRUTAL.

[@phillip0537]

Thank you for the 4th of July present! It means a lot coming from you.

[@conorolaf1762]

Thank you for that right jolly reading. Very pleasant indeed sir! Yes, I would like to hear more about blade battles between American Revolutionary War combatants.

[@wperdew6078]

It's a life goal to go celebrate July 4th in England. Thanks for the congrats from across the pond!

[@historiaobscurum3308]

In reference to cutting off Tarleton's "queue" - a queue was a long, tightly bound hairstyle, so basically a very tight ponytail bound from the base of the head and secured with ribbon wrapped all the way to the bottom. One sees this same style in many of the grenadier and German regiments at that time. And as to Tarleton's character, he was the only British officer not invited by the Americans and French to a "dinner among gentlemen" following the surrender at Yorktown, which is really saying something about how he was viewed in America.

[@Leftyotism]

Since I am German, I am interested in German blades and their usage before WW II and WW I; in the times when Germany had a Kaiser / Caesar, and before that.

[@lonelystrategos]

If you ever find yourself in Solingen, I recommend visiting the Klingenmuseum.

[@huwhitecavebeast1972]

Hello German brother! I'm German but was born and raised in the US. I would like to see a video about that as well.

[@chrisdubois7688]

Der Kriegs messer

[@Leftyotism]

@@huwhitecavebeast1972 How are you German when you are born and raised in the US though? We Germans don't do the blood thing anymore you know, because that would be racist.

[@Leftyotism]

@@chrisdubois7688 Das Kriegsmesser, das. 🤭🥰

[@dorkatarmsetcetera9468]

the sass is so strong in this video i love it so much. "got what he deserved" and "sometimes i wish i could get independence from the uk" hit hard lol loved the last couple videos! im glad i graduated so now i have time to watch through as much of your channel as i can! i cant wait to see the next one :)

[@dajolaw]

Matt, for an example of a nasty bayonet fight, look at Major Simcoe's ambush of the New Jersey militia at the Hancock House in 1778. Simcoe's Rangers (mostly American loyalists) managed to approach the House at night, using boats through a swamp, dispatch the sentries without raising an alarm, then kick the doors in and storm the house, bayonetting the militia therein (and one or two hapless civilians). I think this small engagement demonstrates two things: 1) it demonstrates "door-kicker" house-clearing operations centuries before they became standard training for Iraq/Afghanistan; and 2) it shows how adept the British were at petit-guerre or partisan tactics during the RevWar. Some people to this day still think us Yanks beat the Brits because the British didn't know how to fight dirty or guerrilla-style, Hancock House and its like beg to differ.

[@huwhitecavebeast1972]

Interesting....and unfortunate!

[@unichooch]

American viewer here, thanks for the great video content as always and thanks for the topical video for our holiday. Sending this to my friends today!

[@anthonydevito1298]

I really have enjoyed these videos of you reading and interpreting/expanding on these historical accounts!! Awesome. I love the beginning "alarmed for his personal safety... he fled" 🤣🤣 @3:52

[@TeflonDave]

You'd be welcome here in Texas! I think there are a couple of HEMA clubs here in DFW. I'll keep seeking employment opportunities for ya!

[@michaelaustin310]

I've been looking at a couple of those groups but I only have so much time to go around.

[@codycarter7638]

Matt, thank you so very much for all of your knowledge that you willingly share…while in college, I drove by the Cowpens battlefield at LEAST once a week to visit a friend who lived nearby…I can’t wait to share this video with them!

[@CountArtha]

I shared this story with my ninth graders and they were enthralled. Thanks, Matt!

[@Goshin65]

I live outside of Cowpens. There's a mural on a building representing the clash you read of, showing the trumpeter, a roughly half-grown boy of African descent, firing in defense of Washington. In the memorial park, there's a basket hilted backsword on display, along with several sabers and a fancy smallsword (amid various uniforms and gear, some original others reproductions) and a 3 pounder light cannon.

[@archaicanarch5567]

"Judge a man by the reputation of his enemies." And our cousins were the finest on The Field. Cheers, Matt!

[@vipertwenty249]

A Que is a short ponytail, usually braided to keep it tidy, often seen in depictions of military men of that period. So popular and ubiquitous indeed that even modern legal wigs often incorporate a que. Edit: Note the different spelling from queue.

[@Ovarian_invasion]

"If only people learned from history." I love you Mr.E keep up the great work bru

[@williamdevlin366]

Great account that I never knew about! Thank you from a New Yawker transplant living in North Carolina! Looking forward to more History classes!!!

[@josephkushnir1376]

Thank you Matt, that was a wonderful reading on your part with great humour. Happy Independence Day!

[@BigBatts]

We’re ready and waiting, bud. Land is cheap(and you own it) and we like self defense freedoms….plus, we legally get to blow stuff up pretty often.

[@bertellijustin6376]

As an American hearing a Brit acknowledge our greatness….your tea is in the harbor…. and happy Independence Day!

[@sanctifiedandsaved5298]

It takes a Brit to teach an American, American History, thank you for sharing this record - I was aware of Tarleton in a general sense and of course Mel Gibson's film The Patriot portrays him as quite the villain - but had no idea that it was a Washington who gave him a bad day and not Mel Gibson😃- yes, please continue to present videos on our "war of independence" or "revolution" - its great to hear about our history from another perspective.

[@deesil13]

I loved this episode I am from the town of 96 which had a star fort during that war and now live outside of Camden SC where bloody Banestre T and his green dragoons were stationed. This account from Cowpens is fascinating.

[@empyrial4090]

As someone currently celebrating the 4th of July, much love to my kin across the sea!

[@Me2Lancer]

Thanks for sharing. One of my ancestors, William Voyles fought at the Battle of Cowpens.

[@280StJohnsPl]

I got interested in the American Revolution after seeing a poster "The British Redcoat In America" which first appeared in a London Newspaper at the time of the American Bicentennial. It was a large poster filled with illustrations and information about the soldiers and their arms and equipment, operations, what it was like for British soldiers serving in America. It was so fascinating that i put it on the floor with weights on each corner. got a beer and thoroughly enjoyed reading it. It's still available through the U.S. Gov't.

[@jasonpatterson8091]

His queue was his ponytail, braid, or knot of hair behind his head. So Washington tried to cut his head off and just missed, getting his hair instead.

[@notkimjongun2283]

I used to live very close to Cowpens battlefield and it was a place I always loved going as a kid

[@slabside45]

Thank You for this wonderful bit of history on this 4th of July.

[@all4one5]

Amazing story. As a South Carolinian myself, I did not know the specifics of Cowpens, thanks for this video.

[@AuxLine-w7x]

You Brits aren't all bad, and The host of this show exhibits as much. Greetings from Texas, where the crown can do nothing about me walking the streets of Dallas with a full saber on my belt if so desired in 2023! Good luck getting y'all's right to own kitchen knives back by the way. These story format videos are my favorite. "Blessed is the man with peaceful strength, and a forgiving memory,"

[@hunter35474]

This incident is depicted in a famous painting of the Battle of Cowpens (just look up the Wikipedia article on the battle and you'll see it). In the painting, William Washington is engaging a couple of British horsemen while a black bugler rides in from the left, his pistol raised to shoot the nearest British dragoon (although the angle of the painting makes it look like he's about the shoot Washington, or at least barely miss him).

[@jathalan]

Matt, a queue in this case is a hair style, a short tail at the nape of the neck. From Wikipedia: "British soldiers and sailors during the 18th century also wore their hair in a queue. While not always braided, the hair was pulled back very tight into a single tail, wrapped around a piece of leather and tied down with a ribbon." Near miss!

[@SWBrowne1]

Tarleton is remembered in the now obscure expression "Tarleton's quarter" - meaning no prisoners taken.

[@jdgoesham5381]

Yea it was his men's battle cry at the battle of Cowpens or something iirc. He was both a coward and a brutal bastard.

[@johna6442]

Thank you very much for the story and good humor.

[@biggusgibbus8144]

Very good! One of my ancestors was in the South Carolina Light Dragoons and fought under Washington at Cowpens.

[@khodexus4963]

A queue or cue is an old fashioned word for a type of ponytail hairstyle. It means slightly different things depending if you're referring to European or Chinese styles.

[@hilariousname6826]

" ... left his mark on you ... " - an absolutely brilliant pun to produce on the spur of the moment (if the anecdote is an accurate account). And poor Tarleton got bettered once again.

[@Mike-kr9ys]

Thank you for sharing a bit of history with us. Especially that which features edged weapons.

[@fortsecondchance5551]

Great episode! I discovered your channel a few years ago when I got into historical European martial arts. Your channel is one of my “go to” channels.

[@drinks1019]

Queue at the time would have almost certainly referred to the man’s ponytail, the regulation hairstyle of British soldiers at the time, thx for this story I really loved it!

[@Pirateforliberty]

I live in the area where William Washington lived, here in South Carolina. In fact William Washington is buried not ten minutes drive from my house. Col. Washington owned a plantation about two miles from my house, called Spring Grove Plantation. Banastre Tarleton was given orders by Cornwallis to go down the coast, then to sweep northward and to meet Cornwallis in North Carolina for Cornwallis' Southern Campaign. Tarleston did so with great alacrity, making attacks on farms and homes, rather than military and militia. The militia led by Col. Isaac Hayne, and the Cavalry led by Col. Washington engaged Tarleton and his men on MANY occasions prior to Cowpens. The area I live in was called by Cornwallis "The Hornet's Nest" due to the heavy militia activity. As Tarleton passed through here, he found Spring Grove Plantation, and burned the house and outbuildings to the ground. One day later, Washington engaged Tarleton in the battle of Rantowles Creek. It was after this battle, Washington found out his home had ben raised. From then to Cowpens Washington pursued Tarleton, Culminating at Cowpens. Interestingly enough, Where the battle of Rantowles Creek happened, was across the road from a family friend of Washington's, at Live Oak Plantation. Washington did not have the funds to rebuild Spring Grove. His friends who had the plantation along Rantowles Creek let him live there until he was back on his feet. He later married "The Girl Next Door" of the plantation next to Live Oak. He is buried there, on the former Live Oak Plantation site.

[@davidcritchley8424]

Matt, if you look at Reynolds’ portrait of Tarleton, who is pictured with part of his right hand obscured, you can see he is wearing a sabre with a hilt similar to the later 88 LC hilt but with an additional side branch to the guard. - In the picture he is wearing green as he commanded “The British Legion - loyalist Americans not “regulars”.

[@jesseshort8]

These videos never fail to be quite interesting and entertaining to me. Thanks again Matt.

[@Daveed56]

Thanks for the chuckle Matt! Cheers!

[@spacemanspiff3052]

Wow! Thanks for the fun recount of history! Brilliant!!!

[@dlmiller7873]

I found the twitter-like exchange of slights to be especially enjoyable.

[@thevictoryoverhimself7298]

Talking about wounding a hand in the context of history reminded me of a story. During the Russo Japanese war there was a young officer present at the battle of Tsushima, and due to Russian shellfire he lost 2 fingers on his right hand. If he had lost even one more finger he would have been considered disabled and unfit for service in the military and he’d have been forced to leave the naval service This young officer was Itsuroku Yamamoto, later the admiral of the Japanese fleet in w2 and architect of Pearl Harbor

[@alemander_01]

Love you Matt. I live near Easton PA! Come join us!

[@blankistblankophobe9078]

Fun fact: Tarleton was the direct inspiration for Col. Tavington in the movie The Patriot, and the Battle of Cowpens is the climactic battle at the end of that film.

[@sexualtyrannosaurus230]

Apparently this battle formed some of the basis of the finale battle in the (not very historically accurate) 2000 movie the Patriot. Love Mel Gibson, but I much prefer the historical version of this event. It'd be great to see more videos on the Revolutionary War in the future. Happy 4th of July, Matt! Try to enjoy your own slice of Independence in whatever way you can today over in England.

[@huwhitecavebeast1972]

I just want to give you props for your avatar and profile name. Great lines, great movie!

[@user-oo6ty1yq2l]

Hey Matt, as an American I want to assure you it’s all water under the bridge. Best wishes to you!

[@chrisbritt4266]

We had a wonderful independence day today thank you so very much

[@jameslalumandier9797]

Enjoyed your description of Washington/Darlington encounter at Cowpens. I'd like to hear more about the Lexington/Concord battle from the British point of view regarding the harassment of the British column attempting to return to Boston. This early form of unconventional warfare foreshadowed many encounters to come.

[@patron8597]

The fact that Washington gets saved by his child sidekick is such a pulp action moment 😂

[@leopoldsamsonite1750]

Well done, Matt. Really enjoyed that, thank you.

[@MadNumForce]

"Queue" probably refers to what in French we call "queue de cheval", "catogan" or "cadenette" (in period context), i.e. the ponytail kind of hairdo, either plain or braided, military had, either just behind the neck, or sometimes also on the temples, that hold hair together neatly but also was a kind of natural protection against cuts. In a military context, they were sometimes "reinforced" with a small metal stick that would slightly improve cutting resistance for basically no weight or inconvenience.