The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1899-06-08

| ho"aru's llne second line was formed,
consisting of ABOUT $50 volunteer
militia, commanded by Gen. Andrew
Pltkens' One hundred and fifty yards
IN front OF Picken's line third line
| was formed, consisting Of 60 or 70
Cunning ham and Major Mcdowell.
The lst and I'd Spartan regiments,
under Coils. Brandon and Thomas.
were in the front line. Some three
hundred yards in roar Of the maiu line,
under Howard, behind an cmiuence,
near Mr. j. Ii. Ezeips, WAS posted Col.
washington, WITH his cavalry us a re-
serve. Orders where then given that
the third limo chou d.open fire and then
iall back to the second limo under
P!ckcns, when this line should main
tain Its ground rs long as possible and
thon fall back to the first and main
line, under Howard, where tho final
assault was to be made. Admirable ar
rangement.
Everything being thus in readiness,
Cen. Morgan addressed his soldiers us
follows: My friends in arms; my
dear boys: | request you to rcmember
Saratoga, Monmouth, Puoa and
BraEdywine, and this day you must play
your parts for your honor and libcrty's
cause. Then, turning to the great
sovereign Of the universe, he thus ad.
dressed Him: 20, thou, great dis
poser OF all events, the Battle is not to
the strong, nor the race to the swift
Our domlncerlng, enemy now being in
slgnt, On leave Us not, nor forsaKc
Us Ihls nevcr-to- be- c-forgotten morn
OF January ii, 1871, was clear and ex.
tremcly cold, SO much SO chat tho men
could only keep their hands warm by
slapping Them together. while thev
awaited the approach Of the enemy.
so we readily see that when Tarle.
ton reached the Cowpens, shortly after
sunrise, be found Morgan in perfect
readiness to receive him. Finding
Morgan drawn up in battle array, Tar
Teton ordered his infantry to divcst
themselves OF everything except their
arms and ammunition, and when with
III four hundred yards OF the enemy he
proceeded TO form his lines of battle.
81! things being in readiness, the
BRUSH advanced in u sort Of trot, ut
tering loud halloo. Major Thomas
Young declares that it was the most
beautiful line he ever saw. As
the British hallooed, Morgan was
heard to say " Boys, they gave US
the British halloo; boys, give them
tho Indian halloo," and galloping
along the lines he cheered The men
and told them not to lire until they
could see the whites of their eyes.
Every cllicer was crying, " Don't fire ~
for, says Major Young, sit vas hard
matter for US TO keep from it," As thc
redcoats streamcd along, q column
marched up before the front line op
posite Col. Brandon's men, led by a
gailly:dresocd office" on horseback. |
ms fellow seemed to be rather busy, |
and made himself obnoxiously con.
;plcuous in the eyes Of the patriotic
Americans. Word passed alons the
Inc, " Who can bring him down -
John Savage looked Col. Farr full in
the lace, and read yes in his eyes.
SO Savage darted d few PAGES in front,
AID has rifle against q sapling, Il Tue
gas Strcameu above his head, a sharp
crack Of d rife broke the solemn s!lli-
ness OF the moment, and the result
was that Il horse without q rider
wheeled from the front OF the advanc-
ng column.
SO you see that John Savage, OF
MON District, fired the first gun in
ne battle of Cowpens, and that that
,not Iot brought down British ti1icer.
The next moment it was "pop," "pop,"
pop, and then q whole volley from
he front line of picked rlllemer.
Their fire WAS unerring, and - mum.
Der OF saddles were emptied, as they
lad been ordered to mark the "cpau-
cite men, The British continued to
teadlly advance, and the front line
ell back to the second line under
;'lckcns. After delivering some mur.
ferrous fires this line was forced back
md retrcated towards Howard's flank,
Is they had been ordered to do. But
1eiore they could gain the cover Of
his line the British cavalry on the
light charged and drove them back
owards the position held by Washing-
on
That brave officer Immediately met
his bold dash by q counter charge,
which scattered the British horse in
he widest confusion. Gen. Pickcns
low promptly rallied and reformed his
men and passing around the ridge be-
llnd which Washington had been
posted he reached the right flank OF
Towards line Just as the enemy
we're about to turn it. While these
hings were transpiring other grave
md important ones were taking place
IN other parts Of the field. When the
militia by their retreat uncovered
1oward's line he poured u terrific fire
MO the columns Of the advancing
'hcmy. Ihls was vigorously returned,
ND FOR fifteen or twenty minutes the
,ronpd was bitterly contested. Seeing
nat his advance was checked, Tarle.
On ordered his reserves into action
ne infantry to take position on his
cit while the cavalry was to charge
he American right. His object was
0 .urn Howard's flank with the re
erves, while those already engaged
mould entertain the main line. This
vas quite strategic move and was
cry dangerous for the Amcricsns,
5ut. Morgan was equal TO the occasion.
lie ordered Pickens to attack the en-
my's left flank, and Washington to
harge their right. Both orders were
executed.
Plckcns struck the left flank of the
eserves and Washington charged
na broke through their cavalry, iust
3 they wero about to sweep down on
towards right. Before these move.
hcnts were understood by Howard,
cetng the danger to which his right
vas exposed, he ordered the flank com.
,sny to change their front. Here a
ingnlar thing happened. Howard's