The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1881-05-28
THE COWPENs CENTENARY.

Wednesday of last week, May 18th, was Gel
ebratcd near the town Of Spartansburg, ). C.,
by the unve.lng, among other things of a
statue to Gen. Morgan, the hundredth anniver-
sary of the battle of the Cowpens, one OF the
most memorable OF the minor battles of the
revolution. The events attending this battle
are thus briefly sketched BY the n Y. SIN:
During the winter of 111S-79 the war, whose
brunt had for nearly four years fallen on the
northern and middle states began To tend
southwark The first marked sign OF this
movement outside of the desultory operations
in Florida, was the capture OF Savannah, Dec
90, 1878, by British expeditlonary force from
New York, under Lieut.Col. Campbell. The
reduction of all Georgia followed in the spring
while Wash!ngton's attempt to recover Savan
nah by the combined American and French
forces of Lincoln and ID Estalng was bloodily
repused in October, 1910, Lincoln retreated
to Charleston, and this city was soon beseged
by Sir Henry Clinton, who eagerly seized the
opportunity to wipe out the memory of his re
pulse from Fort MOultrie earlier in the war
On the 10Th of April, 1880 Clinton summoned
the city to surrender; it obeyed May IL, after
miserable defense. A panic seized the people
OF the state upon this event, and the British
columns for months marched almost unop
posed wherever they chose.
Congress, Fastening to repair these disasters,
gave the command of the remnants of the
southern army TO Gates, the hero of Saratoga,
and reinforced it. Gates Immediately pressed
southwark to Camden and there Aug. 16, 1ISO,
was totally routed by the British forces under
Lord CORVALLIS. The cOnquering general
continued his march into North Carolina, arm
ing and organizing the tories, and confiscating
the property of loyalsts. He received, how
ever, severe check IN the defeat of an indie
pendent raiding party under Ferguson at
Kings Mountain, Oct. Z, 1850. This victory
was the prelude to the battle of the Cowpens.
On the defeat of Gates at Camden he was
succeeded by Gen. Greene, Washngton's pre-
vious choice for the same command. Gen.
Daniel Morgan was already brigadier in
Gatess army, with detached command; and
he continued his career under Greene by de-
feating, Dec 80, $780, large party of Georgia
tories, with severe loss. Lord CORVALLIS,
chatting under this American success put his
army in motion to cut OFT Morgan's retreat.
Morgan quickly saw the danger into which
his adventurous spirit had led him. as Tarle.
ton was pressing him with cavalry, and Corn
wallis was marching to intercept his retreat
towards Creene's main body. Morgan had
been warned by Greene to be cautious, and his
own officers whom he consulted, inclined to
the opinion that he must avoid battle. But
Tarleton pressed him closely, and Morgan re-
solved to try conclusions ut once with this
smaller body of the enemy's command.
On broad plain, near the southern bounda-
~ of South Carolina, and somewhat more
than dozen miles from Spartanburg, where
the celebration took place, the people Of that
region we're wont to let their cows Craze; the
place was known as the COW pens. On the
morning of Jan. II, 1881, not far from this
spot, Morgan's forces were encamped, when
| Tarleton, after a march of a dozen miles
came up The British commander had about
eleven hundred men, and a couple of guns
Morgan rather smaller force. Tarleton
charged, as soon as his line was formed, with
his customary Impetuosty, and fianked the
Americans, who retreated . short distance
| The ground, however, soon favored them, anC
the British, pressing on hastily, were caught
| in turn by flank fire from the rallied Amer
leans and completely routed. In the pursuit
the greater part Of Tarleton's troops were cap
tured; while the entire loss OF Morgan was Sc
at twelve killed and sixty wounded.
| Though on a small scale, as we reckon bat
ties in these days, this victory OF the Cowpen
was OF great service to the patriot cause. Tar
| Teton was one of the best of COrnwallis's sub
ordlnstes, and had ravaged the Carolinas unh
his name had become q terror. With fore
slightly inferior Morgan had almost annihi
lated him, capturing two field pieces and al
his baggage, which latter was prompt.
burned, lest Lord CORVALLIS. who was onl.
twenty-five miles distant at Turkey Creek
should hurry forward and recapture 1t.
| Morgan, however. was not molested. til
l made his way IL safety across the Catawb;
i and he and the officers and men under him n
ceived the special thanks Of congress. Avit
tory achieved under such circumstances Is We
worthy of centennial celebration. C!rcun
stances compelled the postponemeni OF tn
commemorative ceremonies originally a
signed for Jan. II, 1881, but the local enthus
asm did not diminish, and the memory {
i Morgan received the honors it so we'll merltet