life of francis marion(弗朗西丝·马利翁传)-第19节
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On the 25th he says； 〃before this I hope you have received the agreeable
news of the defeat of Lieut。 Col。 Tarleton。 After this nothing will appear
difficult。〃
* This was the same Rugely who behaved so generously to
Governor Rutledge。 It seems Lord Cornwallis intended to have promoted
him； but after this affair he wrote to Tarleton； 〃Rugely will not be made a
brigadier。〃
As the defeat of Tarleton at the Cowpens has been related by many
American writers； whose works are generally read； the account of the
renowned chief himself； who was unexpectedly foiled； and which is now
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out of print； will be extracted for the amusement of the historical reader。
〃Near the end of the last year； （1780） information had been received by
Lord Cornwallis； that Gen。 Greene had made a division of his troops；
which did not exceed fourteen hundred men； exclusive of militia； and that
he had committed the light infantry and Col。 Washington's cavalry to Gen。
Morgan； with directions to pass the Catawba and Broad rivers； to collect
the militia； and threaten Ninety…Six。 It is not to be supposed Gen。 Greene
would have adopted the hazardous plan of dividing his forces； if he had
received information of Gen。 Leslie's command being withdrawn from
Virginia； and united to the force in South Carolina； because such an
accession of strength would produce a movement from Winnsborough
（where Cornwallis then lay；） and might separate the two divisions of the
American army； and endanger their safety。 To attain this object； （the
separation of the two divisions of the American army；） Col。 Tarleton was
now detached from the main army of Lord Cornwallis； and was to be
supported by his lordship； and Gen。 Leslie as soon as he arrived； with
orders to push Morgan to the utmost。 Tarleton's force was his corps of
cavalry and infantry of five hundred and fifty men； the first battalion of
the 71st； of two hundred men； two hundred men of the 7th regiment； new
recruits； and fifty dragoons of the 17th regiment total one thousand men。
Morgan retreated before Tarleton till the commanding officer in front of
the British reported the American troops were halted and forming。 （17th
Jan。） Lieut。 Col。 Tarleton； having obtained a position he certainly might
deem advantageous； did not hesitate to undertake the measures his
commander and his own judgment recommended。 He ordered the legion
dragoons to drive in the militia； that Morgan's disposition might be
inspected。 The American commander had formed a front line of about one
thousand militia； his reserve of five hundred continental infantry； one
hundred and twenty of Washington's cavalry； and three hundred back
woodsmen。 Tarleton ordered his infantry to disencumber themselves of
every thing except arms and ammunition； to file to the right； till they
became equal to the flank of the American front line； the legion infantry
were added to their left； and under the fire of a three pounder they were to
advance within three hundred yards of the enemy。 This situation being
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Life of Marion。
acquired； the 7th regiment was commanded to form on the left of the
legion infantry； and the other three pounder was given to its right。 A
captain with fifty dragoons； was placed on each flank。 The first battalion
of the 71st extended to the left of the 7th； one hundred and fifty yards in
the rear； and composed； with two hundred cavalry； the reserve。 The
animation of the officers and soldiers promised assurances of success。 The
troops moved in as good line as troops could move； at open files。 The
militia； after a short contest； were dislodged。 The British approached the
continentals； and the fire on both sides produced much slaughter。 The
cavalry on the right were ordered to charge the enemy's left； and executed
the order with great gallantry； but were driven back by the reserve and Col。
Washington's cavalry。 As the contest between the British infantry and
continentals was equally balanced； Tarleton brought the 71st into line； and
ordered a movement in reserve to threaten the enemy's right flank。 Upon
the advance of the 71st all the infantry again moved on； the continentals
and back woodsmen gave ground； the British rushed forwards； an order
was despatched to the cavalry to charge； an unexpected fire at this instant
from the Americans who came about； stopped the British and threw them
into confusion。 Exertions to make them advance were useless。 The part of
the cavalry which had not been engaged； fell likewise into disorder； and an
unaccountable panic extended along the whole line。 The Americans
advanced and augmented their astonishment。 A general flight ensued。
Neither promises nor threats could gain attention。 All attempts to restore
order； recollection or courage proved fruitless。 Two hundred dragoons
forsook their leader； fourteen officers and forty horsemen were； however；
not unmindful of their own reputation； or their commanding officer。 Col。
Washington's cavalry were charged and driven back into the continental
infantry by this handful of brave men。 Another party who had seized upon
the baggage were dispersed； and this detachment retired towards Broad
river unmolested。 The number of the killed and wounded at the Cowpens；
amounted to near three hundred on both sides； officers and men inclusive；
this loss was almost equally shared。 But the Americans took two pieces of
cannon； the colours of the 7th regiment； and near four hundred prisoners。〃
Thus far Col。 Tarleton。 Gen。 Moultrie received his account of this action of
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Life of Marion。
the Cowpens 〃from an officer of great veracity and high rank； who was
conspicuous on that day；〃 supposed to be Col。 Washington。 The substance
of his account shall now be given； that the two may be compared。 Gen。
Morgan drew up his men in an open pine barren； the militia of about four
hundred men； under Col。 Pickens； formed the first line。 The continentals
of about five hundred men； two hundred of whom were raw troops；
formed the second line； under Col。 Howard； two hundred yards in the rear。
Col。 Washington； with seventy…five continental cavalry； and forty…five
militia under Capt。 M‘Call； in the rear。 Pickens ordered his men to reserve
their fire till the enemy came within fifty yards； which they did； and fired
with great success； but they were soon obliged to give way and retreat
behind the second line； which received them warmly； at length the second
line began to give way。 Col。 Washington； perceiving this； rode up to their
rear with his cavalry； and told Howard； 〃if he would rally his men and
charge the enemy's line； he would charge the cavalry who were cutting
down the militia。〃 His riding so close to the rear stopped the British； and
Howard rallied his men in the mean time； and charged with fixed bayonets。
Col。 Washington charged the cavalry and routed them； the militia at the
same time recovered themselves and began to fire； and the whole threw
the enemy into the utmost confusion。 Howard called out to them； 〃to lay
down their arms and they should have good quarters。〃 Upwards of five
hundred men threw down their arms and surrendered。 Two hundred were
left dead on the field； and a great number wounded。 Besides the two field
pieces mentioned by Tarleton； six hundred men； eight hundred stand of
arms； and thirty…five baggage waggons； fell into the hands of the
Americans。 Col。 Washington pursued the British cavalry twenty…five
miles。
By this last account the disparity in numbers was not great； and as one
half the Americans were either militia
