Battle of Cowpens
1781 CE · South Carolina, USA
The Battle of Cowpens was fought in 1781 CE in South Carolina, USA between United States vs Great Britain; decisive American victory; Tarleton's force was almost entirely killed or captured.
Battle of Cowpens: quick facts
- Date
- 1781 CE
- Location
- South Carolina, USA
- Belligerents
- United States vs Great Britain
- Commanders
- Daniel Morgan vs Banastre Tarleton
- Result
- decisive American victory; Tarleton's force was almost entirely killed or captured.
- Era
- 🦅 American Wars
- Quiz difficulty
- hard
What happened at the Battle of Cowpens?
Brigadier General Daniel Morgan devised a brilliant tactical plan that used the militia's tendency to break and run as a deliberate feint. Morgan placed militia in front with orders to fire two volleys then retreat behind the Continental regulars, drawing the British into a trap. When Tarleton's forces pursued, they were hit by disciplined regulars and a cavalry counterattack that destroyed the British force. Over 800 British were killed or captured, dealing a devastating blow to British operations in the South.
Did you know?
Daniel Morgan at Cowpens deliberately put a river behind his own army so his militia could not run away, then used their tendency to retreat as a deliberate tactical feint to draw the British into a trap.
Sources and further reading
- Battle of Cowpens on Wikipedia for the full account, historiography and primary sources.
- How BattleGuess compiles and checks battle facts: see the About page.
Entry last reviewed 26 September 2026.