COWPENS Photographs

Cowpens Battlefield Monument

The Scruggs home was built about 50 years after the Battle at Cowpens, but would be very similar to the homes of this era.  The only thing missing would probably be the tree stumps around the log house.

This house was add on to as the Scruggs family grew....he had 11 kids!

This battle was between Daniel Morgan's Army of Regulars and Militia Volunteers (among the NC volunteers was my GGGGGrandfather, Aaron Thomas) and the British commander Lieutanant-Colonel Banastre Tarleton, a bloodthirsty man feared by both sides!

The battlefield today.

If this tree could talk.....

The old wagon road through here still exists much like it did in January, 1781.

Morgan was not only well liked by his men, but he was a brilliant strategist.  His strategy was instrumental in conquering his opponents in less than one hour of battle.  Unfortunately, Tarleton managed to escape, but lost all of his men to the Patriots.

Tarleton and his soldiers came from the far side of the clearing toward Morgan's Sharp Shooters who had been "discovered" by Tarleton's Scouts.

"Make every shot count, men!"  "Target the Officers first!"

Cornwallace beginning in Charleston and ending in Yorktown.

After firing two volleys each, the Sharp Shooters turned and ran behind the second line of defense, reloading their squirrel guns along the way.

Standing where they stood but not seeing what they saw.  

Tarleton's two 3-pound Cannons were captured by the American Patriots, along with all of the weapons carried by the Officers, Soldiers, Dragoons.  Also, the Highlander's Bagpipes, horses and Ammo.  

Daniel Morgan was a smart man and an excellent leader.

The notorious butcher, Banastre Tarleton lost with 110 soldiers killed, 200 wounded and 712 captured and held as Prisoners of War. My Grandfather was among those commissioned to guard the prisoners.

Visiting any battlefield, to me, is an honor.  As a Patriot and a descendant of Patriots, I hold these men up as our heroes.  Every Fourth of July, I cannot help but remember those who gave their lives to fight for the freedom they so much desired.