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Cowpens, SC

People

9 historical figures connected to Cowpens during the Revolutionary War.

Other Figures

Lord Charles Cornwallis

1738–1805

British GeneralSouthern Army CommanderLieutenant General

British general whose response to Cowpens — stripping his army of wagons and racing north to catch Greene — led to the Guilford Courthouse campaign and his eventual decision to invade Virginia, ending at Yorktown.

Brigadier General Daniel Morgan

1736–1802

Continental Army GeneralVirginia RiflemanLight Infantry Commander

Virginia frontiersman and Continental general who designed and executed the double-envelopment at Cowpens. His tactical plan — deploying militia and regulars in layered roles matched to each force's capabilities — is studied in military academies as a model of intelligent use of available forces.

Nathanael Greene

1742–1786

Continental Army GeneralSouthern Department Commander

Rhode Island general who commanded the American forces at Hobkirk's Hill. His tactical plan was disrupted by a Maryland regiment's collapse and he ordered a retreat, technically losing the battle. Within two weeks the British had abandoned Camden, demonstrating that tactical defeat and strategic victory are not always the same thing.

Lieutenant Colonel Banastre Tarleton

1754–1833

British Cavalry CommanderBritish Legion Commander

British cavalry officer whose aggressive pursuit of Morgan led him into Morgan's prepared position at Cowpens. His decision to attack without adequate reconnaissance and without giving his men time to rest contributed to the most complete American tactical victory of the southern campaign.

Lieutenant Colonel John Eager Howard

1752–1827

Continental Army OfficerMaryland Continental Commander

Maryland Continental officer who commanded the regulars at the center of Morgan's Cowpens line. His decision to order a volley and bayonet charge when his men appeared to be in retreat was the tactical pivot of the battle. He received a Congressional gold medal for his conduct.

Colonel William Washington

1752–1810

Continental Army Cavalry Officer3rd Continental Light Dragoons

Virginia cavalry officer who commanded the American cavalry at Hobkirk's Hill. His cavalry conducted the rearguard action that covered Greene's retreat and captured several British officers who had advanced too eagerly in pursuit.

Brigadier General Andrew Pickens

1739–1817

South Carolina Militia GeneralPartisan Commander

South Carolina militia general who commanded the militia skirmish line at Cowpens. His men executed Morgan's plan precisely — firing two volleys and retiring through gaps in the Continental line — contributing to the tactical deception that lured Tarleton's men into the double envelopment.

Lieutenant Colonel Henry Lee

1756–1818

Continental Army Cavalry CommanderLee's Legion CommanderLight Horse Harry

Virginia cavalry officer whose Legion operated in the Camden area during the Hobkirk's Hill period. Lee's operations against British outposts around Camden contributed to the strategic pressure that ultimately made Camden untenable.

Major Archibald McArthur

1740–1800

71st Highlanders CommanderBritish Regular Infantry Officer

British major commanding the 71st Highland Regiment at Cowpens. The Highlanders were the most experienced regular infantry unit in Tarleton's force; their surrender on the battlefield marked the collapse of British resistance at Cowpens.