Battle of Cowpens Analysis, Essay Example

The battle of Cowpens is perhaps one of the most tactically and strategically interesting combats in the history of the American Independence War. It played a major role in the progress of the entire campaign and remains a great example of tactical thought.

Before studying the battle itself, the overall process of the 1780s campaign in the US has to be studied. It started on August 16, 1780, as king George of England commanded Charles 2^nd Earl Cornwallis to start military actions to recover the American colonies for the British Crown. The start of the campaign was very successful for the royal forces – Camden victory and the capture of Charlestown was a severe blow to the rebellion[1]. British armies marched further, into Virginia and South Caroline, being perfectly aware that another victorious battle, similar to Camden, would destroy the American troops in the South and eventually lead the rebellion to its defeat. Cornwallis’s army was relatively small, but well-trained and well-equipped. American forces, on the contrary, were in greater numbers, but not organized, led by poorly trained commanders and not skilled in combat. The awareness of this fact has made the British generals arrogant and self-confident, underestimating the American forces. Ferguson’s defeat in Virginia was the first sign of British mistakes, but the generals failed to learn from them.

In order to speed up the campaign and achieve a fast victory, Cornwallis split his army into two parts, troops under the command of lieutenant-colonel Tarleton started chasing American troops, lead by the colonel Morgan. On the 17^th of January 1781 British and American troops met on the terrain known as Cowpens. Morgan was well aware of the Tarleton’s progress towards his army and decided to put up a fight. American forces were 1000 in number, a significant part of which were irregular troops – militia. British army consisted of 1100 men, so the forces were roughly equal. Americans, however, had several advantages – they were at the battle sight several days before the British and had time to prepare. Morgan was aware of the British tactics and could predict most of the Tarleton’s actions. He was also familiar with tactics that often brought the royal army victory – quick attack by the infantry to the front of the enemy’s lines combined with the cavalry strike in the flanks[2]. Morgan chose an unusual position for the army, with a river behind his troops, which made the retreat virtually impossible. This, however, was a planned move, as Morgan wanted to demonstrate the militia, which often fled the battle, that there was no way back and escape was not an option.

Tarleton made his troops march starting with two o’clock in the night, so the soldiers were tired and hungry. Tarleton was absolutely sure in his future victory and thought that Morgan was simply running away from him. When he found out that Morgan settled his troops on a relatively flat terrain, with the river behind him, he was absolutely sure that enemy’s army was simply desperate, if such an unlucky location was chosen[3].

The battle started early in the morning, shortly after the British army arrived at the spot. Tarleton did not bother to give his troops a rest, formed the lines and threw the infantry to the front, just like Morgan has expected. 150 militia sharpshooters in the front of the American army fired two rounds and retreated behind the main lines. British dragoons followed them, but were met by the Washington dragoons and were forced to retreat. As the royal forces took time to rearrange their lines, no room was left for the 71^st Regiment – the most skilled and professional warriors, so their line fell slightly behind. The entire American lines then reversed and retreated, but only to reload their guns and meet the proceeding British troops with a wall of bullets. Trying to save the situation, Tarleton ordered all of his cavalry that stood in reserve to attack, but most ignored the order and chose to flee. Washington dragoons joined with the militia and the colonials, attacked the British infantry and forced them to surrender.

Several lessons can be learned from this battle, but I would like to address the action of the 71^st British Regiment specifically. This squad was the best-trained unit with the greatest potential that was unfortunately not used to its full. Several conclusions can be drawn:

• In case the commander wishes to win the battle fast, elite troops have to participate in the front line to make sure the rest do not flee or become too confused.
• Set the reserves in action timely and do not wait till the last moment.
• The troops have to have some rest before the action, assault after a long march may take the enemy by surprise, but in case the battle lasts a bit longer, the soldiers will get too tired.

If The 71^st Regiment was in the first lines of the British Army and the cavalry reserves attacked a bit earlier and in full numvers numbers, American troops would have little chances.

References

Parfit, A. “The Battle of Cowpens”. Retrieved  April 5, 2009 from: http://www.militaryhistoryonline.com/revolutionarywar/articles/cowpens.aspx

“The Battle of Cowpens” – The American Revolutionary War website. Retrieved April 5, 2009 from: http://www.myrevolutionarywar.com/battles/810117.htm

Withrow, S. “The Battle of Cowpens”. Retrieved April 5, 2009 from: http://www.nps.gov/archive/cowp/batlcowp.htm

“71st Regiment of Foot, Fraser’s Highlanders” – AbsoluteAtronomy.com Retrieved April 5, 2009 from: http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/71st_Regiment_of_Foot,_Fraser%27s_Highlanders

“The Battle of Cowpens” – New River Notes. Retrieved April 5, 2009 from: http://www.newrivernotes.com/misc/cowpens1.htm

“The Battle of Cowpens. 1781” BritishcBattles.com website. Retrieved April 5, 2009 from:   http://www.britishbattles.com/battle-cowpens.htm

[1] Parfit, A. “The Battle of Cowpens”

[2] Withrow, S. “The Battle of Cowpens”

[3] Parfit, A. “The Battle of Cowpens”

[4] “The Battle of Cowpens 1781” – BritishBattles.com

[5] “The Battle of Cowpens” – The American Revolutionary War website