Western news and the Libby times. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1920-1933, 1929-05-09

IoM IN which is perhaps little known TO
llAyAA}AY most Americana but which was one
-- of the most important of all the
Revolutionary conflicts. The story of the sur.
render Of CORVALLIS at Yorktown, the browning
event of the Revolution. Is known to all but York
town might not have been possible had 1t not been
for two earlier victories aOne of them took place
Mt Kings Mountain. when the frontiersmen OF
North Carolina, South Carolina md Virginia over
whelmed the British leader Ferguson. and the
other the battle of Cowpens.
In connection with the action Of congress pro-
vidne for the Cowpens national monument the
historical section of the army college pre-
) pared historical statement printed as house
document. which gives by fars the best account
Of this battle that has yet been written The
Importance Of that battle is shown In the follow
Inc statement from the document.
Tarleton fleader Of the British at Cowpens> In
his narrative. commenting the two disasters
which the British suffered in South Carolina said
that the fall OF Ferguson at Kings Mountain was
catastrophe which put end to the first
petition into North Carolina and that the battle
OF Cowpens overshadowed the commencement Of
the second expedition. This comment. taken IN
conjunction with the apprehension OF George
Washington that the Southern states. will LOOK
upon this victory much decisive In It's
consequences than 1t really u.s." briefly summarizes
the result of the battle OF Cowpens The effect
at the time was to hearten greatly the patriotic
cause and to distress the British army and their
second link In the chain Of events soon to be fol-
lowed by others which finally led to the surrender
Of CORVALLIS army at Yorktown.
TO have d proper understanding OF this battle
and its Importance 1t Is necessary to take into
account the military situation In the South and
Of the previous events Briefly, these were
as follows:
Following tho sapitulation OF Charlestown on
May IL, 1880. all of South Carolina In con-
diton Of suhjugation within few months. and in
September. British headquarters were moved TO
Charlotte Town. N G. Prior to this Lieutenant
Colonel Ferguson had been detached with small
force of provincials to organize the militia and
operate Corvallis flank On the seventh OF
October his entire command lost at Kings
Mountain Following this disaster the British
field army withdrawn more than sixty miles
to Wynnesborough and there remained the de-
fensive while awaiting Information relative TO the
rehabilitation Of Gates arm (Which had suffered
n disastrous defeat at Camden on August 16l
commanded by Greene.
Lieutenant Colonel Tarleton. the only officer re-
naming after Fergusons death, used, by Cornwall
lis for the command OF rowing troops sent
into the district north OF Nnet&-Six to oppose
General Morgan. and somewhat later CORVALLIS
resumed his march northward, Tarleton and Nor
gan met at Cowpens the seventeenth OF Janu-
arys and IN battle noted for the unusual tactics
adopted by the Americans the British de-
feated with heavy losses by force inferior in
numbers a considerable portion OF which was
militia.
CORVALLIS hoped to destroy or drive out OF
South Carolina the corps commanded by General
Morgan. fheFe was Also nope that BY
rapid marches the British main army would get
between Greene and Virginia and by that means
force the Americans to fight without receiving
any renforcements from that state or, falling In
this, to oblige Greene to quit North Carolina with
precipitation and thereby encourage the friends
of the Grown make good their promises Of a
general rising assist the British commander In
re-estabshing the royal government
Morgans purpose had been e harass Corn
wallis foraging and scouting parties and being
more than d hundred miles away from Greene at
the time CORVALLIS believed that Tarleton
could crHsb Morgan before Greene could come
to his aid. Morgan knew that Tarleton was com
ing after him but he had no intention Of engag-
ing In Il battle until he could do so on ground of
his own choosing.
The place where General Mnri established his
camp the night Of the sixteenth the in
tersection Of the MIL Gap road and the road from
the present city OF Spartanbnrg running northeast
into North Carolina and crossin the Broad river
Mt Island Ford The position selected for
the. action lay on both sides of the Mill cap
on both sides or the camp The ground fl slight
~ undulating and at the time covered Lii
Trees of@raa- oak. hickory and pine. Being used
for the grazing ef cattle there but little 1T.
ar4rrfrrnrt 4 4 fvo--retY stfEfit elevations
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