Today marks the anniversary of one of the most significant battles in American history, although I'm guessing not one in five Americans have ever heard of the Battle of Cowpens. The fight took place in South Carolina in 1781 and was a tactically brilliant ,and strategically significant American victory.
The American army in the South had been routinely defeated until George Washington sent Major General Nathanael Greene, a Rhode Island Quaker, to take command. Greene had enlisted in the militia as a private, but rose through the ranks until he was considered Washington's best general. Ably assisted by Brigadier General Daniel Morgan from Winchester, the commanders devised a strategy whereby Morgan's riflemen would establish picket lines in advance of the main line, fire, and gradually fall back behind that main line of regulars who were shielded from British view. If that sounds vaguely familiar it is because you probably saw Mel Gibson's The Patriot. The climactic battle in that movie is based on the Battle of Cowpens.
The result of the fight was an American victory when they desperately needed one in the South. Greene saw that he could achieve great results by fighting and retreating. This might seem counterintuitive, but by retreating north--towards Virginia--he was slowly drawing Lord Cornwallis further and further from his base of supplies and draining his manpower. Cornwallis ultimately headed to Yorktowne, Virginia to resupply and everyone should know how that ended!
For a detailed account of the battle, I highly recommend Lawrence E. Babits' A Devil of a Whipping: The Battle of Cowpens. It's probably the best analysis of any battle that I have ever read; and I've read more than a few! The National Park Service's website gives an excellent summary of the battle and some nice photos may be viewed by clicking on "Menu" at the upper left. It's always good to take a moment and thank the long forgotten men who secured for us our freedom.
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