GAFFNEY, S.C. — On Jan. 17, 1781, a late-stage Revolutionary War battle in the South Carolina backcountry ended in an American victory, hampering the British war effort in the South and helping set the stage for their surrender at Yorktown.
This instrumental clash — the Battle of Cowpens — will be commemorated on Jan. 18-19. The event will include guest speakers, weapons and cavalry demonstrations, and guided tours of the Cowpens National Battlefield, according to the SC250 website.
The battle was a resounding loss for the British forces, according to the American Battlefield Trust. Brigadier Gen. Daniel Morgan and his forces were sent to disrupt British supply lines in what is now the Upstate. After being intercepted by British Lt. Col. Banastre Tarleton’s forces, a battle ensued in the open pastureland near the North Carolina border.
Morgan’s superior tactics and use of cavalry led to a decisive American victory, with the British suffering almost six times as many casualties as the patriots despite having a slight advantage in manpower.
The Americans lost 149 men, while the British lost 868 of their 1,150-strong brigade.
SC250, officially known as the S.C. American Revolution Sestercentennial Commission, has also launched a map of all of the Revolutionary War historical markers across the state — from Pickens and Cowpens to Georgetown and Beaufort — categorized into the seven historic judicial districts.
Accompanying the map is a new website for the historical marker restoration project that discusses the history of the project and details the documentation process for the signs. You can visit the site at www.screvwarmarkersproject.com.
A group of historical markers in Charleston County were recently cleaned and repainted. Bill Segars, who heads the project, previously told The Post and Courier that more markers would be restored in the spring.
For a list of events organized to commemorate the Revolutionary War in South Carolina, visit www.southcarolina250.com/upcoming-events.
–postandcourier.com
