Morgan, the former rifleman, "walked behind and through the ranks everywhere, all the while cracking jokes and encouraging the men, and said, 'Boys, squinney well, and don't touch a trigger until you see the whites of their eyes.'" Morgan, an experienced combat commander, wanted to settle his men and take their minds off the British soldiers' deploying, shifting position, and getting ready to advance. ExcerptĪmerican officers made good use of the interval before the British moved forward, engaged the militia line, and began fighting in earnest. In this excerpt we see the start of this memorable battle, in the words of the men who fought it. Ultimately the Americans were able to envelop the British troops on two sides. Though neither his riflemen or militia were reliable for a long time in linear combat, Morgan realized he could count on them both for two good shots and have the Continentals then hold the line. Their success came in part thanks to the strategy of Brigadier General Daniel Morgan. After suffering a series of southern losses, the Americans finally achieved victory at the Battle of Cowpens. Babits' A Devil of a Whipping transports us to South Carolina on January 17, 1781.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |