"Old Morgan Was Never Beaten!": The Battle of Cowpens, U.S. Army Museum

On Jan. 17, 1781, in the chilly backcountry of South Carolina, a hard-pressed, poorly equipped American force of 1,000 Continental Soldiers and militiamen stood waiting in the predawn darkness for an enemy attack they were sure would come by first light.
Led by Brig. Gen. Daniel Morgan, the footsore Americans had been on the march for days by the time they stopped several miles south of the Broad River to make a stand against their onrushing pursuers. Out of the darkness, a mixed British force of 1,100 cavalry, infantry, and artillery led by the young, notorious Lt. Col. Banastre Tarleton attacked Morgan's men head on. What followed in the open fields called the Cowpens was one of the most remarkable victories won by a Patriot army during the Revolutionary War.
Join the National Army Museum's educator Dr. John Maass for a discussion of Morgan's salient victory in the South, and a look at maps and images of the Battle of Cowpens and the campaign that led to a significant British defeat on the road to ultimate victory for the cause of liberty and independence.
John Maass received a B.A. in History from Washington and Lee University and a Ph.D. in Early American History from the Ohio State University. He is the author of several books and numerous articles on American military history, including "The Battle of Guilford Courthouse: A Most Desperate Engagement" (2020); "George Washington's Virginia" (2017); and "The Petersburg and Appomattox Campaigns, 1864-1865" (2015).
This program originally aired on January 11, 2022.
Every month, Battle Briefs explore a specific battle, campaign, or other event from the U.S. Army’s remarkable past, using maps and period images.
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[@stuka80]

The American battle tactics at Cowpens was the most brilliant display of military skill in the entire war.

[@raymondstirrup8902]

Probably the battle that changed the course of the war 🇬🇧🇺🇸

[@jaywinters2483]

Wish you continued to show us maps throughout like you did in beginning .

[@outdoorlife5396]

The rest of the story on Morgan is, he had arthritis in his back bad. I to have it, from my younger days in the service. I have often thought, how it must have been torture bouncing up and down that battlefield directing his troops as he was observed. As for numbers, I would guess they were high for Morgan. The OTMM were coming in after head count was made, knowing a little about the military, they said just go here or there as needed. About Tarleton, he was so hated, he crossed the bay and surrendered to the French, scared the Americans would kill him. He also was not given a dinner invitation from the Americans, when he asked where his was, they pretty much said, no one wanted to dine with him.

[@madaketmom]

Thank you for your service

[@jimrutherford2773]

Not a bad piece on the battle of Cowpens. More background on Daniel Morgan was in order to preface his atitude going into this war. His background in the French and Indian War, his disdain for british officers because of his near fatal lashes for punishment. Morgan's riflemen and their reputation.

[@rmgibsontx]

Excellent presentation! Thank you

[@user-oc1bq2mf3q]

My 7th grandfather was one Daniel Morgan’s closest confidants . The Dutch mess, Charles Grim

[@michaelswami]

The Americwn artillery pieces were seized at the Battle of Camden.

[@pjeffries301]

Too many errors and ignored facts to list here. This sounded more like a high school level report than a serious historical talk.