The Battle of Cowpens

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The Battle of Cowpens

• If you know your enemy and know yourself, you
  need not fear the result of a hundred battles.
• Sun Tzu, The Art of War

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8th Grade Social Studies State Standard 8-2.3

• Summarize the course and key conflicts of the
  American Revolution in South Carolina and its
  effects on the state, including the attacks on
  Charleston the Battle of Camden the partisan
  warfare of Thomas Sumter, Andrew Pickens, and
  Francis Marion the Battle of Cowpens and the
  Battle of Kings Mountain.

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Questions to think about!

• How did the American employ strategy, knowledge
  of the enemy, and knowledge of his own forces to
  achieve victory?
• Who were the notable South Carolinians who
  participated in the battle and what was their
  role(s)?
• Who were the other notable participants in the
  Battle of Cowpens?
• How did the American victory at the Battle of
  Cowpens affect the outcome on the American
  Revolution?
• Why is the quote from Sun Tzu in the first slide
  appropriate in describing the American victory?

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Cowpens A Decisive Defeat for the British
From The Revolutionary War The South Regained
(United Streaming)
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British Commander Banastre Tarleton

• Educated at Oxford.
• Joined the army at the beginning of the
  Revolution and became a dragoon officer.
• Brutal in battle. Believed the complete
  destruction of the enemy was needed to achieve
  victory.
• Known as Bloody Tarleton for killing Americans
  surrendering and other atrocities in battle.

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American Commander Daniel Morgan

• Considered a master of guerrilla warfare.
• Had a key role in the battle of Saratoga.
• Left the army because of lack of pay, promotion,
  and credit for his efforts.
• Popular with his men.

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The Battle Plans

• American Plan
• Map of the forces at the beginning of the Battle
  of Cowpens
• Sharpshooters were placed in the front.
• Militia was placed in a second line.
• Each group were to fire two shots then retreat.
• American regulars were to hold the line while the
  cavalry and militias attack the British sides or
  flanks.

• British Plan
• British used musket fire to distract the enemy
  then close on them.
• A bayonet charge was used to break up American
  formations
• Cavalry or Dragoons, mounted on horse back, would
  chase after retreating forces and finish them off.

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The Battle
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Effect of the American Victory at Cowpens on the
American Revolution

• First time American forces defeated an equal
  number of British forces.
• Pushed British forces toward the east and
  eventually Yorktown, Virginia.
• Persuaded Washington to move his forces South
  which lead to the American victory at Yorktown.
• The name of Spartanburg came from one of the
  units that fought in Cowpens, the Spartan Rifles.