That was the one where the first three ranks of Militia fired shots then retired over a ridge, suckering the British into thinking the American forces were retreating, then the British infantry ran headlong into concentrated fire, were routed and over run by Cavalry, right?
Louis,
To answer your question, yes, but it was assumed by the British more than once during the battle.
Daniel Morgan placed his forces in three lines. The first line were skirmishers, the second was militia and the last was the Continentals. As each line fell back as the British advanced, they reinforced the line behind them. As Tarleton ‘s men pushed back the skirmishers, the British thought the militia was retreating. The skirmish line, filled with sharpshooters with rifled muskets, had already taken a heavy toll on the British leadership.
As the British crested the small knoll, the second line of militia came into full view for the British. As they pressed forward their attack, the militia fired one to two volleys at close range, some companies only got one volley off, and then retreated according to plan through the 3rd line of Continentals in the rear. This line was anchored in the trees. Tarleton took this as a retreat and sent his 17th Light Dragoons around the American left flank (the British right) and hit the reforming militia behind the Continentals 3rd and last line of defense. Lt Colonel William Washington then took his 3rd Continental Light Dragoons and routed the 17th Light Dragoons.
As the action was going on behind the Continental line, the British infantry advanced to the third line of the American defense. It was at this point that there was a slugging match between the Continentals and the 7th Regiment of Foot (The Royal Fusiliers), the British Legion, and the light infantry made up of various battalions from other units. Tarleton threw the 71st Highlanders, who had been held in reserve up to this point, in on the British left to turn the American right. He also let loose the British Legion Dragoons that went around the American right flank and headed to the rear. By this time, the 3rd Continental Dragoons had just reformed from routing the 17th Light Dragoons on the American left flank and they wheeled and attacked the on coming British Legion Dragoons coming around the right flank. The Americans were holding their own on the 3rd line of defense until a mistaken order took place on the American right. The American unit holding the far right, Wallace’s Virginians, was suppose to wheel right to meet the advance of the 71st Highlanders who were trying to outflank them. At the exact moment that the order was given and the drum beat was sounded, the Highlanders fired a volley. The order was not heard properly by the men and they began an orderly marched retreat to the rear. At the same time, the unit on Wallace’s left, Lawson’s Virginia State Troops, began an orderly withdraw when they saw Wallace’s men in retreat. Actually, Captain John Lawson was killed when the 71st fired their volley and Lt Taylor took over Lawson’s Virginians. In quick succession, the entire 3rd line of the American defense fired a volley by company, turned about face, and then began a march to the rear. Each company left the line in roughly 5 second intervals. Also, by the firing a volley before they left the line, this gave the British pause in pursuit for a moment, with the exception of the 71st Highlanders who charged right after they gave the Americans a volley of their own. Daniel Morgan pointed out to Howard and other American commanders where to reform their line about 80 yards further back. At this point, British infantry discipline which had been excellent up to this point broke down and all of the British infantry charged. This was a disordered charge. As the Americans retreated, they re-loaded their weapons on the march as they had been taught to do. When Wallace arrived at their new line of defense, Morgan Hill, they gave the order to turn towards the onrushing British infantry. At this point, all American units turned towards the British regardless of where they were on the battlefield. Colonel Howard had just received a message from Colonel Washington to fire into the 71st since they were in such disorder in their advance and he would take his 3rd Continental Dragoons and run threw them. Colonel Washington’s cavalry had already routed the British Legion Dragoons. When the Americans turned, the Highlanders were within 10 to 15 yards when the Americans began firing volleys by company. The 71st Highlanders were decimated. When the Americans fired in the 71st, the 3rd Continental Dragoons charged into what was left of their unit on their left flank and rear and at the same time, the American infantry charged with bayonets. Also, the militia units that had not re-engaged the enemy came into the fight again this point. Many of the 71st threw down their arms and surrendered and some ran. When the other British infantry units saw the elite 71st being routed, panic set in. The 3rd Continentals rode threw the 71st and then into the 7th Regiment of Foot. The American line outflanked the British in a double envelopment. Tarleton tried to save the situation, but it was lost. Colonel Howard kept a massacre from happening by calling on his men to “give them quarters”. Tarleton’s reputation at the Waxhaws was still fresh in American minds. The 71st Highlanders were told before the battle to “give no quarters”. According to Colonel Howard, Captain Duncanson of the 71st Highlanders, gave me sword and stood by me. Upon getting on my horse, I found him pulling at my saddle, and he nearly unhorsed me. I ….. asked him what he was about. The explanation was that they had orders to give no quarter, and they did not expect any….I admitted his excuse and put him in the care of a sergeant.
For my British cousins on this forum, how is Tarleton viewed today in England? Mel Gibson’s character of Colonel Tavington in the movie “The Patriot” showed Tarleton in a bad light even though “The Patriot” probably went over the top in his portrayal. The last battle in “The Patriot”, which I assume was to be the Battle of Cowpens, does not resemble really anything like what took place. I still enjoyed the movie though. For those of you that would like to see what Cowpens looks like today, you can see the pictures I posted here:
http://www.treefrogtreasures.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5738
