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The Battle of Cowpens - Cowpens National Battlefield
Cowpens was founded near the site of a battle fought during the
Revolutionary War on January 17, 1781. Continental Army troops and
colonial militia under Brigadier General Daniel Morgan decisively
defeated a crack British force - known as the Black Legion - under LT
Colonel Banastre Tarleton.
The battle draws its name from its site,
pastureland and
cow pens, reportedly known then as Hannah's Cow-pens, used by
frontier farmers in northwestern South Carolina. Military historians
regard Cowpens as one of the most brilliant tactical operations ever
fought on American soil.
The British losses were staggering: 110 dead,
over 200 wounded and
500 captured.
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The original battle site is now the Cowpens National Battlefield. The
one and one-quarter acre park was established by Congress on March 4,
1929 under the control of the War Department.
The National Park Service
assumed control on August 10, 1933. In 1981 the site was increased to
842 acres in size and the NPS spent approximately $5 million to develop
and restore the park.
The Cowpens National Battlefield is 11 miles north of I-85 and 2 miles
east of Chesnee.
The entrance is near the intersection of S.C. Hwy 11
and Hwy 110. Phone (864) 461-2828
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Cowpens
National Battlefield |
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