orrow, till four o'clock, Colonel Morgan shall be one of your
lordship's guests." "Very well, Ban, said Rawdon, we shall wait; but
remember, Morgan was brought up under Washington."

Tarleton commenced his march from Winnsboro on the 11th of January,
1781, Cornwallis following leisurely in the rear with the main army.
He crossed Broad river near Turkey creek, and advanced with all
possible speed in the direction of Morgan's camp. That officer was at
first disposed to dispute Tarleton's passage of the Pacolet river, but
being informed of the superiority of his numbers, and that a portion
of the British army had already crossed above him, he hastily
retreated northward, and took post for battle on the north side of
Thicketty Mountain, near the Cowpens. Tarleton pressed eagerly forward
in pursuit, riding all night, and making a circuit around the western
side of the mountain. At eight o'clock in the morning he came in sight
of the advanced guard of the patriots, and fearing that Morgan might
again retreat and get safely across Broad river, he resolved to attack
him immediately, notwithstanding the fatigued condition of his troops.
Tarleton was evidently disposed to view Morgan as "flying game," and
he therefore wished to "bag him" while clearly within scope of his
vision. The sequel will show how sadly he was mistaken.

The Americans were posted upon an eminence of gentle ascent, covered
with an open wood. They were rested and refreshed after their retreat
from the Pacolet. And, now expecting the enemy, they were drawn up in
battle order. Tarleton was rather disconcerted when he found that
Morgan was prepared to fight him, for he expected to overtake him on a
flying retreat. It was now about nine o'clock. The sun was shining
brightly over the summits of Thicketty Mountain, and imparted a
glowing brilliancy to the martial array in the forests below. On the
crown of the eminence were stationed two hundred and ninety Maryland
regulars, and on their right the two companies of Virginia militia
under Major Triplet. These composed the rear line of four hundred and
thirty men under Lieutenant-Colonel Howard. One hundred and fifty
yards in advance of this line was a body of about three hundred
militia under Colonel Andrew Pickens, all experienced riflemen, and
burning with a spirit of revenge on account of numerous cruelties
previously inflicted by the British and Tories. This brave officer had
arrived during the night, with his f