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.
Return to the Battle Briefs Playlist to check out more content at [ Ссылка ]
Visit the Museum’s website to learn about and register for upcoming Battle Briefs [ Ссылка ]
Visit us online for the latest news at [ Ссылка ] or find us on social media:
Facebook: [ Ссылка ]
Instagram: [ Ссылка ]
Twitter: [ Ссылка ]
