Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1856-05-08
Stlstt 3(istellanp.
BATTLE OF COWPENS.

AS public attention is now directed to this
battle, the following from DR.. Johnson's
work will be read with interest:
COL Henry Lee and other writers agree
that the position taken for this battle was not
we'll selected, and reflect on Gen. Morgan
for having retired the day before to this from
a better situation. They were not aware of
his reasons for this movement. In the "Mag-
nolia," of Jan. 1s43, p. 38, it is fully ex-
planned by Maj. McJunkin, of Union Dis
trict, with minute that could only be rela-
ted by an eyewitness. He had been detach-
ed under Col. VIM. Washington by Morgan,
against the Tories assembled at Hammond's
store. Having dispersed them, he was re-
turning to Morgan's encampment, at Cream
dalps Shoal, on the Pacolet. He now learn
ed that Tarleton was advancing on the road
leading to the Easterwood Shoal, above this
position, intending to attack the rear of Nor
gan's detachment. Washington fastened
with the information and communicated it at
midnight to Morgan. The retrogade move
ment was made the next day to counteract
Tarleton's intention. This was confirmed
by Capt. Thos. Young, of Union District,
who was alive as late as 1S47, (see Johnson's
Tradition, p. 449,) also by Col. James ST.
mons, father of Col. James Simons, Speaker
of the House, who at that time held Lieut.
enant's commission under Washington, (see
the same Traditions, p. 300.) The follow
ing description of that battle is copied from
a MS of Col. Samuel Hammond, and pub
lished in the same work, p. 526:
On the evening of the 10th January, 1881,
General Morgan encamped near place call
ed the Cowpens. The author of these re-
marks, (Col. S. Hammond, being then out
with detachment,) did not join the camp
until o'clock in the evening, when he was
Informed by the general that he intended to
give the enemy battle next morning, if he
should press hard upon him. The ground
on which the troops were placed, was small
ridge, crossing the road nearly at right an
giles. A similar ridge, nearly parallel with
this, lay between three hundred and FIVE hun
dred yards in his rear. The valley between
was made by gentle slope; it was, of course,
brought within range of the eye passing
from one to the other ridge, the land was
thickly covered with red oak and hickory,
with little if any underbrush. The valley
extending to the right of the generals camp
terminated in small glade or savanna.
Orders had been issued to the militia, to
have twenty-four rounds of ball prepared
and ready for use, before they retired to rest
A general order, forming the disposition of
the troops, in case of coming to action, had
been prepared, and was read to Colonels
Pickens and Mccall, Major Jackson and the
author of these notes in the course Of the
evening. No copy was ever afforded to Ell
ther of these officers, before the battle, and
the author of these notes has never since
seen them, but in the course of the same
evening he made the following notes upon
them, then fresh in his memory, and which
were shown to Major Jackson and Colonel
Mccall, and approved by them as correct as
far as they went. To show those concerned
what would be their stations, the author drew
out rough sketch of the disposition sent
forth in the general order, and after the ac-
tion, the rough sketch of the enemy's posi-.
tion was added. No perfect or accurate