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==Battle==
==Battle==
[[Image:map-05.gif|thumb|250px|right|Map of the skirmish which took place between the Pacolet and Broad rivers]]
Morgan and Tarleton met on January 17 at Cowpens, a mostly open field just south of the Broad River that received its name from being a popular place to graze local cattle. At first glance, the location appeared to give the British every advantage: the lack of natural barriers to the west and east meant Morgan was in danger of being flanked on either side, while the Broad River was immediately in his rear and thus precluded an easy retreat. However, Morgan deliberately selected the site, later explaining that as many of his troops were poorly-disciplined militia, and thus prone to flee at the first opportunity, he felt it necessary to give battle on ground that offered no option of retreat. He also expected Tarleton, whose boldness and contempt for the enemy was well-known, to attempt a frontal assault, rather than a flanking maneuver.
Morgan and Tarleton met on January 17 at Cowpens, a mostly open field just south of the Broad River that received its name from being a popular place to graze local cattle. At first glance, the location appeared to give the British every advantage: the lack of natural barriers to the west and east meant Morgan was in danger of being flanked on either side, while the Broad River was immediately in his rear and thus precluded an easy retreat. However, Morgan deliberately selected the site, later explaining that as many of his troops were poorly-disciplined militia, and thus prone to flee at the first opportunity, he felt it necessary to give battle on ground that offered no option of retreat. He also expected Tarleton, whose boldness and contempt for the enemy was well-known, to attempt a frontal assault, rather than a flanking maneuver.
The only British unit to survive the debacle was the British Legion, under Tarleton's personal command, which fled the field after the main body surrendered. Tarleton himself barely escaped after nearly being apprehended by Washington at the close of the battle.
The only British unit to survive the debacle was the British Legion, under Tarleton's personal command, which fled the field after the main body surrendered. Tarleton himself barely escaped after nearly being apprehended by Washington at the close of the battle.
==Aftermath==
==Aftermath==
==External links==
==External links==
* [https://books.google.com/books?id=FtcKAQAAIAAJ&pg=PA1 The Hero of Cowpens: A Revolutionary Sketch], of Daniel Morgan and Benedict Arnold, 1885
* [https://books.google.com/books?id=FtcKAQAAIAAJ&pg=PA1 The Hero of Cowpens: A Revolutionary Sketch], of Daniel Morgan and Benedict Arnold, 1885
{{DEFAULTSORT:Cowpens, Battle of}}
[[Category:American Revolutionary War Battles]]
[[Category:American Revolutionary War Battles]]