A Visit to Cowpens (2/6/23)

Today, we made our first foray into South Carolina with a visit to Cowpens National Battlefield. It was recommended to us by our homeowner as not only a good place to visit but also another option for running, as it has a 3.2 loop through the park that has minimal traffic and a shoulder. Bob and I went solo today to check it out and learn about this unusually (to us) named place.

The sign for the battlefield as you drive into the park.

The site is about a 20 minute drive from Boiling Springs, NC, and was the location of the Battle of Cowpens in January 1781 between the British and the Americans during the Revolutionary War. We had hoped to learn more in the Visitor’s Center, but we discovered that is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Luckily, they had a helpful brochure out front and some informational signs posted along the Battlefield Trail, which we walked after driving the loop to check it out for a possible run for me or a walk with Cooper.

This was in the cement near the memorial,
and we saw signage on the road for this trail as well.
It is part of the US and NC Trail Systems
and recognizes the Revolutionary War Overmountain Men
who crossed the Unaka Mountains
and then fought in the Battle of Kings Mountain.

Our visit reminded me, yet again, about how little I seem to know about US history. While I certainly aware of the Revolutionary War, I couldn’t name many battles and certainly was not aware of this one.

In a nutshell, based on the brochure and the signage posted at the park, the Battle of Cowpens was fought during an effort by the British to regain control of the southern colonies. It was fought after the British had taken Charleston, SC, in May of 1870, but after the Overmountain Men had secured a victory for the Americans at King’s Mountain in October of 1780.

The Battle of Cowpens lasted less than 30 minutes and was led by Daniel Morgan for the Americans and Banastre Tarleton for the British. It was fought in a cow pasture (thus the name) and the Americans secured victory with a double envelopment maneuver that trapped the British. A recreation of the battle is apparently held annually.