During the American Revolution, the British Army in the South was led by the ruthless Banastre Tarleton. His dragoons (cavalry) were famous for the "Tarleton Quarter"—meaning they took no prisoners; they slaughtered everyone. In January 1781, American General Daniel Morgan ("The Old Wagoner") was being chased by Tarleton. Morgan stopped at a place called Cowpens, South Carolina. He decided to turn and fight. But Morgan had a problem: Most of his army was militia—untrained farmers who were terrified of British bayonets. Usually, militia would fire one shot and run away. Morgan knew this. So, he didn't tell them to be heroes. He used their fear as a weapon.
The Trap Morgan set up his lines in three rows. Row 1: Sharpshooters hiding in the trees. Pick off the officers, then retreat. Row 2: The Militia. Morgan told them, "Just give me two shots. Aim for the men with the epaulets (officers). Fire twice, then you can run away." Row 3: The Continental Regulars (hardened veterans). They would stand and fight.
The Battle On January 17, Tarleton attacked. The sharpshooters fired and fell back. The militia fired two devastating volleys, decimating the British officers. Then, as ordered, they turned and "ran away" behind the hill. Tarleton saw the militia running. He thought it was a rout. He ordered a full charge. The British broke formation and ran into the "trap" screaming for blood. They ran straight into the solid wall of Row 3—the Continental Regulars. The Regulars fired a point-blank volley and charged with bayonets. At the same time, the "fleeing" militia circled around the hill and attacked the British from the left. American cavalry attacked from the right. It was a Double Envelopment—the perfect military maneuver. The British were surrounded. In less than an hour, Tarleton's army was destroyed. 110 British killed, 800 captured. American losses: Only 25 killed. It was the tactical masterpiece of the war and the beginning of the end for the British in America.
Church in Attu, Alaska. Circa 1894/1895.
Library of Congress.
