Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1881-05-05
The Battle Of Cowpens.

Gruly !amentable in the latter part of tho
year 1880. In tho Southern part Of the
State there was no organized force of
Amerioans. The followers of Marion and
Sumter would como from their homes and
hiding places and makean assault upon some
unguarded post or somc small detachment
Of the enemy. They kept them harosscd
nnd uneasy. Camden aud Ninety Six wero
the strong places of tho British from which
they cont out maraudiug parties. The
tories, now thinking the cause of liberty on
the wane, became very bold and cruel.
Cornwallis had moved to Winnsboro, whore
his headquarters were for timo His OBJ
jeot was to finish up the eutjcction of this
State and then move ipto North Carolina,
driving his opponents before him. Late in
December, Gon. Morgan was sent to ope.
ratio between Pacolott and Broad Rivers,
and strike where ho could do most good.
lie intended to make an attack on the fort
at Ninety Six, but learning of Tarlcton's
forces between him and that point, ho CON
cludcd to rctraco his steps. He VAS in
camp at Grindall Shoals. Tareton nd.
vanood against him aud crossed tho river
higher up at the Eastcrwood Shoals, pcr-
haps. From Grindall Shoals NIorgan's
forces may hove taken tho direct road up
by Gaffneys Cross Roads on to Cowpens.
Tarleton's troops may have followed on the
same road, or they may have gone up the
Green River road passing whore Macedonia
now stands. Some of tho older people Of
that section ought to be ablo to giyo the
traditions of that march.
From "Torlcton's Campaigus," book
published in London in tho year 1887, we
take the following account Of the battle.
We arc suro our readers will take great
pleasure in reading this report written by
our enomy:
Patrolcs and spies were mm cdiatoly dis
patched to observe tho Americans. The
dragons were directed to follow the enemy
till dark, and the other cmmissarics to con.
tinue their inquiries till morning, if some
material incident did not occur. Early iu
the night patroles reported that General
Morgan had struck into ways tending to-
wards Thickcl Creek. A party of deter
mined loyalists nude On American Colonel
prisoner, who had casually left tho line of
march, and conducted him to the British
camp. Tho examination Of the militia Co.
lionel, and other accounts soon afterwards
received, ovlnced the propriety Of hanging
upon General Morgan's rear, to Impede tho
junction Of reinforccmcns said to be ap-
preaching, md likewise to prevent his
passing Broad River without tue knowl-
edge of tho light troops who could pcrplcx
his design, and call in the assistance of tho
main army if necessity required. Other
reports at midoight of a corps Of noun
tainecrs boing upon the march FROM Green
River, proved tho exigcncy of moving to
watch the cncmy closely, in order to take
advantage of any favorable opportunity that
might offer.
Accordingly, at three O'clock in tho
morning on tho 18th, tho pickets beipg
called in, tho British troops, under the
command of Lieut.. Col. Tarloton, were di
rected to follow tho route the Americans
had taken the preceding evening, and the
baggage and wagons were ordered to re-
main upon their ground ill daybrcak, under
the protection of detachment from each
corps. Three companies of light infantry
supported by the legion infantry, formed
the advance; tho 7th regiment, the guns,
and the lst battalion Of the list, com
posed tho centre, and the cavalry and
mounted Infantry brought up the rear.
The ground which the Americans had
passed being broken, and much inter
sccted by creeks and lavnca, tho march of
the British troops during the darkness was
exceedingly slow, on account. OF tho time
employed in examining tho front and hanks
as they proceeded. Before dawn, Thickelc
creek was passed, when an advance guard
OF cavalry was ordered to tho front. Tho
cnemy's patrolo approaching, was pursued
and overtakcn. Two troops of dragoons,
under Capt Ogilvie, of tho legion, were
then ordered to reinforce the advanced
guard and to liarass tho rear of the enemy.
Ihe march had not continued long in this
manner, before tho commanding officer in
front reported that the American tyoons
were halted and forming. The guides
Wero Immediately consulted relative to the
ground which General Morgan then occu-
ricd, and the country in his rear. These
people described both with great pcrspicuity
Ihev aaid that tho woods were open and
free from swamps; that the part of Broad
River, just above the paco where Kings
creek joined tho stream, was about six
miles distant from tho enomy's left flank
and that the river, by making curve to
tho Westward, ran parallel to their rear
Lieut.. Col. Tar)eton having attained q
position which he certainly might deem
advantage, on account Of tho vulnerable
situation of the enemy, and tho supposed
vicinity of the two British corps Oh the
East' and West of Broad River, did not
hesitate to undertake these measures which
the instructions of his commanding officer
imposed, and his own judgment, undor the
present appearances, equally recommended.
lie ordered tho legion dragons to drive n
the militia parties who covered tho front,
that Gen. Morgan's disposition might be