On This Day In History: Battle Of Cowpens Took Place – On Jan 17, 1781

AncientPages.com - On January 17, 1781, the Battle of Cowpens took place just north of the town of Cowpens, South Carolina.

The American forces were led by Daniel Morgan, an experienced Brigadier General who participated in other battles such as the Battle of Quebec and Saratoga.

Monument at the site of the Battle of Cowpens. Image credit:  Poisend-Ivy - Public Domain

The British soldiers were commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Banastre Tarleton, a young officer with a bad reputation (brutal treatment of enemy soldiers) and aggressive tactics during the War of Independence.

The battle lasted less than an hour and was a decisive victory for the American forces. They had minimal casualties, while the British suffered 110 dead, over 200 wounded, and hundreds more taken prisoner. Colonel Tarleton managed to escape with most of his cavalry.

The Battle of Cowpens was the crucial turning point of the Revolutionary War.  After losing several battles in the South, the Continental Army defeated the British in a decisive victory at Cowpens.

The Americans forced the British to retreat, which gave them confidence that they could win the war.

Ten months later, the Americans were victorious in the Revolutionary War - the British forces had to surrender at Yorktown.

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