Page 9 - 2021 SPRING Sojourner Newsletter

VOL. 98 ISS. 2 9

CAMP NEWS

SOUTHERN CAMPAIGN HALTED !!!
‘twas a long night and the early morn’ was heavy with dew. A bitter chill was in the aire. With the early
hour came a sense of urgency, as the numbers had grown over night. Indeed, there were Continentals of Foot
and cavalry, Patriot militias, and now the Overmountain boys. To be sure, now General Daniel Morgan knew
of his challenge. He and his men had just made their way the day before from the Pacolet River and Thicketty
Creek to the Cowpens. The Broad River at their back was swollen, so they dare not try to cross. They bed-
down. It was apparent this was the battlefield. British Colonel Bannister Tarleton was charged to dispatch
these miscreants and on their heels he made way. On January 17, 1781, as dawn broke, and true to his tradi-
tional tactics, Tarleton charged forth aggressively. Morgan knew of his method and his temperament, so he
designed a “double envelope” of defense … nay, attack. Using the strategy of hit-and-run, then turn to attack,
again, the Patriots gained the advantage and dealt a decisive victory over Tarleton. He escaped to join ranks
with General Cornwallis and report his losses, where upon the British Southern Campaign was abandoned and
Cornwallis made-way to Yorktown. General Morgan was awarded a Gold Medal by Congress. His “double
envelope” tactic remains a teaching point in the U.S. Army.
The National Sojourners / Heroes of ’76, National Commander Marty Schwebel was recognized, and Light
Horse Harry Lee Camp, PNC Bill Turner joined with the Sons of the American Revolution to pay homage to
General Morgan at the Cowpens National Battlefield and then at the Morgan Monument in Spartanburg, South
Carolina. This on January 17, 2021 … 240 years later.