Battle of Cowpens - January 17, 1781 (American Revolutionary War)

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• published: 17 Jan 2016
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Empire: Total War - DarthMod - Elite Units of America and Elite Units of the West DLC's included http://www.nps.gov/cowp/learn/historyculture/the-battle-of-cowpens.htm The war in the southern colonies had become something of a stalemate, neither side having sufficient strength to hazard full out offensive operations. The fighting was conducted by raiding columns and guerilla activity. Both sides behaved with unrestrained ferocity. Tarleton had made his reputation in the southern colonies as a ruthless and impetuous commander. Pursued by Tarleton, Morgan determined to make a stand by the Broad River. He selected a simple position on two low hills in open woodland in the expectation that Tarleton would make a headlong attack without pausing to devise a more subtle plan. Morgan was correct in his assessment of Tarleton’s actions. Morgan placed the Georgia and North Carolina militia in front of his line with a further screen of riflemen to their front. His main line was on the first and higher hill and Washington’s dragoons were placed behind the hill. He had no guns. Morgan’s men had a night’s sleep and breakfast in their positions. Tarleton marched his force onto the battlefield and attacked immediately. His first move was to send the 17th Light Dragoons to disperse the riflemen. The dragoons were driven back by accurate fire. Tarleton formed his infantry line and began the advance; the Light Infantry on the right, the infantry of his legion in the centre and the 7th Royal Fusiliers on the left. Troops of light dragoons flanked the foot. The reserve comprised the 71st Highlanders and the cavalry of Tarleton’s legion. Morgan’s riflemen opened fire on the British line and made a point of shooting down the “epaulettes" (the officers), before falling back behind the main American line. A troop of light dragoons pursued the riflemen and were attacked and driven back by Washington’s dragoons. As the British foot attacked, the 71st Highlanders extended the line to the left, outflanking the Americans. The American line withdrew but in good order. The British line lost its cohesion as it hurried to pursue the Americans who halted and gave fire before Washington’s dragoons again attacked, this time in the rear of the British line. The Americans went onto the offensive and the British line was overwhelmed. The 71st continued to fight until finally forced to surrender. Only the Royal Artillery gunners fought until they were all killed or wounded. Tarleton fled the field with the remnants of his column, the cavalry of his legion having refused to charge from the reserve.