Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1855-10-30
EVENING STAR,
THE BATTLE OF THE cowpENs,


The following is heretofore unpublished
letter from General Greene to General Marion,
announcing to him the victory Of the Cowpens,
and giving an animated and interesting ac-
count Of that celebrated battle Of the Ameri-
can revolution. 1t is decidedly the best ac-
count of that action we have ever seen, having
the advantage of being cotemporaneous and
from the pen of distinguished officer, whose
position made il certain that he was not only
well informed as to its details, but that what
he wrote was truthful 10 the letter.
..t..f's. CAMP, January 23, 1871.
To GENERAL MARION: = ...-
Dear SIR: L have the particular satisfac-
tion to congratulate you on the entire defeat
of the enemy under Lieut. Colonel Tarlton
Major titles, who is this moment arrived
brings the word illegiblel intelligence, which
have the pleasure to transmit. On the 18th,
at dsybreak, the enemy consisting of 1,l5O
troops and so militia, attacked General Nor
gan, who was at the Cowpens, between Pano-
let and Broad rivers, with 290 infantry, 80
cavalry, and about 600 militia. The action
lasted nifty minutes. Our brave troops charged
the enemy with bayonets, and entirely routed
them; killing near $50, wounding upwards of
200, and taking more than 500 prisoners, ex-
elusive Of the prisoners with 2 pieces of artil-
lery, 30 wagons, upwards of 100 of the dragon
horses, and 10 negroes, and with the loss of 10
men killed and So wounded. Our intrepid
party pursued the enemy upwards of 20 miles.
About 80 commissioned officers are among the
prisoners. Tarlton had his horse killed, was
himself wounded, but made his escape with
zoo of his troops. This important intelligence
wish you to communicate to Lieut.. Col. Lee,
If possible. L have not time to write to him.
Ii he has not attacked q. T., wish l.. could
privately transmit it to the garrison.
am with esteem, &C., N. GREENE.
CAMP ON THE PEDEE, Jan. %, I7sI.
To tie Hon. John Matttews:
DEAR SIR: This will be handed to you by
Major Giles, who arrived this evening from
General MorgA, and brings the agreeable
news OF his having gained a complete victory
over 1t. Col. Tarlton. As the particulars 90
to Congress you will excuse me from including
them In this letter This is great affair, was
our situation such as to take q proper adyant-
age of it; but for want of that fear little
good Will result from it as to the final recovery
OF this country. The situation of these States
Is wretched, and the distress of the inhabit-
ants exceeds all description; nor is the condi-
ton OF the enemy more agreeable. We have
but few troops that are fit for duty, and all
those are employed upon different detach-
time and chance. We are obliged to subsist
ourselves, aided by the influence of Gov Rut-
ledge, who is one of the first characters have
met with Our prospects are gloomy, not
withstanding these flashes Of success. hope
Congress will not take into their heads that
Lord CORVALLIS is ruined from this fortunate
event. There is wanted for the recovery of
this country a well-appeinted army consisting
of about 5000 infantry and 800 or 800 horse
these, with the auxiliary aid of the militia,
would be superior to any force the enemy
have or can maintain in this quarter. You
may depend that my utmost exertions shall
not be wanting to take every possible advant-
age, that our situation will admit, to give
favorable turn to affairs in this quarter; but
unless L am better supported than have at
present the most distant prospect of, have
little to hope and much to fear.
refer you to Major Giles and my public
letters for further particulars. 1 am, with es-
TEEN, &c. N. GREENE.