OT In SC, it’s known as “The Cowpens” not Cowpens
- Thread starter vacock
- Start date
My family lived on the battlefield until 1975, before it became a national park. Our house was on the American left flank. The government bought us out as the bicentennial was coming up and they were reclaiming land where revolutionary battles had been fought to make them parks. The granite monument marking the battle was right across the street from us, and my sister and I would climb it and play on it all the time. I also had an uncle who lived next door that farmed. When he would plow, he would turn up musket balls like stones.
Daniel Morgan has always been one of my biggest hero’s. Not many know much about him and little was written. His battlefield tactics defeated a previously unbeaten unit, led by Tarleton.
He was also very effective at Saratoga, but I know very little about that battle.
Then you would like Morgan Square in downtown Spartanburg. Our hero stands on a pedestal facing east gazing toward Cowpens. The only downside to the battle was the dastardly Tarelton escaped. Barely, but he did ride away without stopping for miles.
Had a dorm friend from Cowpens. He always pronounced it as "Cuppens", and would correct anyone who pronounced it otherwise. He was correctly very proud of his area's impact on the Revolution.
And yes, Daniel Morgan is very under appreciated. I think a lot of it was his going against long-established military maxims, such as "Never divide your army".
Finally, speaking of Saratoga, I always liked what British General Burgoyne supposedly relayed when asked why it was taking so long for his troops to get to new York City and thus cut off New England from the rest of the colonies: "Why, these people all have guns, and they shoot at us from behind every tree and fence post they have!" It was a very undecidedly British way of fighting, for sure.
And yes, Daniel Morgan is very under appreciated. I think a lot of it was his going against long-established military maxims, such as "Never divide your army".
Finally, speaking of Saratoga, I always liked what British General Burgoyne supposedly relayed when asked why it was taking so long for his troops to get to new York City and thus cut off New England from the rest of the colonies: "Why, these people all have guns, and they shoot at us from behind every tree and fence post they have!" It was a very undecidedly British way of fighting, for sure.
Unbeknownest to me, I learned through a relative's obit, I am a descendant of William Fain of the famed "Over the Mountain Boys" who marched from Tn. to the join Revolutionary Forces in the Battle of King's Mountain. Grandmother was a Fain. Also had another relative from the other side who was wounded in the battle and later drew a pension.
