"Downright Fighting": The Story of Cowpens

Handbook 135 Cowpens
by Thomas J. Fleming
A Handbook for Cowpens National Battlefield South Carolina
Produced by the Division of Publications National Park Service
U.S. Department of the Interior Washington, D.C. 1988
The story of Cowpens, as told in these pages, is ever fresh and will live in memory as long as America’s wars are studied and talked about. The author is Thomas Fleming, a biographer, military historian, and novelist of distinction. His works range from an account of the Pilgrims’ first year in America to biographies of Jefferson and Franklin and novels of three American wars. Downright Fighting, The Story of Cowpens is a gripping tale by a master storyteller of what has been described as the patriot’s best fought battle of the Revolutionary War.
The National Park System, of which Cowpens National Battlefield is a unit, consists of more than 340 parks totaling 80 million acres. These parks represent important examples of the nation’s natural and cultural inheritance.
National Park handbooks, compact introductions to the natural and historical places administered by the National Park Service, are designed to promote public understanding and enjoyment of the parks. Each handbook is intended to be informative reading and a useful guide to park features. More than 100 titles are in print. They are sold at parks and by mail from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402.
Fleming, Thomas J. Cowpens: “downright fighting.” (Handbook: 135) “A Handbook for Cowpens National Battlefield, South Carolina.” Bibliography: p. Includes index. Supt. of Docs. no.: I29.9/5:135 1. Cowpens, Battle of, 1781. I. Title. II. Series: Handbook (United States. National Park Service. Division of Publications); 135. E241.C9F58 1988 973.3’37 87-600142 ISBN 0-912627-33-6 ★GPO: 1988—201-939/60005
On the morning of January 15, 1781, Morgan’s army looked down this road at Tarleton’s legion deploying into a line of battle. Locally it was known as the Green River Road. Four or five miles beyond the position held by Morgan, the road crossed the Broad River at Island Ford. For opposite reasons, Morgan and Tarleton each thought this field and its relationship to the Broad River gave him the advantage.