Cowpens National Battlefield in South Carolina

Cowpens is the battle that changed
 the course of the Revolutionary War
in the South.




England attempted to take control of the Southern Colonies by working with Southern Loyalists and slaves during the Southern Phase of the Revolutionary War from 1778
through 1781.

This monument commemorates the

Battle of Cowpens, fought on January 17, 1781.

American troops under the command 

of Brigadier General Daniel Morgan

defeated the British commanded

by Lieutenant Colonel Banastre Tarleton.

The Visitors Center has a film about the Battle of Cowpens.  There are two maps, with narration, that show the movement of the American and British troops throughout the battle.

The USS Cowpens (CVL 25)
aircraft carrier served during
World War II.
This is the first Naval Ship
to be named for the
Battle of Cowpens.

The USS Cowpens (CG63), a 

guided missile carrier was

commissioned in 1991 &

is currently in San Diego, CA.

This area is known as the Cow Pens 

because cattle wintered here.

General Daniel Morgan chose this 

ground because the nearby river 

discouraged his ranks from 

breaking; there was rising ground 

for him to post his regular troops; 

a forest & a marsh to impede 

flanking movements.

After the Battle of Cowpens, the

area became more populated.

The Scruggs home was built on the

battlefield site in 1828.

It is an example of an early 

19th century cabin. 

The Battle of Cowpens lasted
less than one hour.

American Losses: 12 killed
& 60 wounded

British Losses:  110 killed,
200 wounded
Captured: 500

In 1929, Congress created Cowpens National Battlefield Site and placed it under the management of the War Department.  The National Park Service took over management of the park in 1933.