Sal and Amanda Take Morgan's Victory March to the Battle of Cowpens by Mary Ann Solesbee

Author:Mary Ann Solesbee
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: The History Press
Published: 2014-10-15T04:00:00+00:00

“I know you read the letter and will come to my aid!” the voice replied.

“What do you mean your aid? How can I help you? You’re dead.”

“Just listen! You will know when it is time,” the voice continued. “Yes, my scouts informed me of the location of both Tarleton and Cornwallis. I knew they would do anything to get us! And that arrogant Sumter would not come to help me even though I was in charge. It is amazing I didn’t go down there and teach him a lesson, but good sense and old age held me back!”

“I was wondering about that when Sal and Amanda told me about how Sumter sulked when you were named commanding officer.” Ben was beginning to feel a little more at ease with the powerful voice.

“Yes, your little amphibian friends; we need more ambassadors like them,” the spirit mused.

Ben wondered just how General Morgan knew about Sal and Amanda, but he supposed that spirits knew everything there was to know about the living world.

“I had all my men to look after. I grew up a hotheaded fighter, but I eventually learned to put my personal feelings on hold for the good of my men and our cause. But no one understood what I had decided to do. Why, even my own men were cursing me because they thought I was retreating. But Ben, my friend, I had to remain cool under pressure because I knew that devil Tarleton was on our tail. My intention was to cross the Broad and get into the rough, hilly country of Thicketty Mountain and wait for Tarleton and the battle!”

“I know where that is!” Ben exclaimed.

“Ben, you know more than most about this war, but I am going to teach you some things no one knows,” the spirit said mysteriously.

Ben was intrigued and listened intently.

“It was the crack of dawn, and we had just cooked our breakfast when a patrol came galloping in and yelled, ‘Tarleton’s across the Pacolet.’ We broke camp, leaving our breakfast there. Washington’s dragoons formed a protective screen around our marching men. I learned later that Tarleton rode in and ate the breakfast we had left. Their boys did not know it, but for many of them it would be their last.”

“What happened then?” Ben asked, completely captivated with the spirit’s tale.

“The road we followed was a muddy mess leading through swamps. My men believed I was avoiding battle. I knew I had to keep them intact for an eventual reunion with General Greene and the main army. But how was I to best do this? By taking a great risk and crossing a raging river just ahead of the closing enemy or by choosing a position, resting, feeding the troops and taking time to prepare for the battle? I was left alone to make my decision. I decided to regroup and rest near a landmark known by all backcountry people, the cow pens. This was a place other troops would know and could join us.

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