was compelled to retreat and Tarleton was sent in pursuit. When
he believed Morgan was fleeing from him he threw caution to the winds
and hurried his force on to what he doubted not would be the capture
of the doughty leader.

Morgan has since been criticized for hazarding a battle. His force was
far inferior to Tarleton's and did not include artillery as did the
latter's. Moreover, with Morgan were many raw militia who could not be
depended upon to face the veterans under the British leader, knowing,
as they did from sad experience, that little quarter would be granted
them if defeated. But he had the veteran Marylanders who had fought so
bravely at Camden, and the support of Colonel Washington's dragoons.
Furthermore, shrewd leader of men that he was, he felt that the moment
had come when he must fight. To continue his flight meant capture or
dispersion of his forces. He believed that Tarleton would be
over-confident and so run headlong into whatever trap he might set,
and this was just what happened.

At a place called the Cowpens he found the position he desired. Here
were two small hills, one behind the other and with a river at the
rear; no place for a scared militiaman to escape, nothing to do but
fight to his last gasp, because he knew that if he offered to
surrender he would be ruthlessly bayoneted.

The night before the battle it is said Morgan did not sleep. His men,
enraged at the cruelties inflicted upon their country by the invaders,
were longing for revenge. This spirit Morgan fanned to flame.
Throughout the night this big, brawny man, whose fame for success in
many perilous undertakings inspired the confidence of every man who
came to know him, walked among the soldiers and talked with them. His
was the appearance of a man perfectly confident that the next day
would bring victory and glory to American arms. He laughed and joked
with them. "Just hold up your heads, boys; give 'em three fires and
you are free. The Old Wagoner will crack his whip over Ben Tarleton in
the morning, sure as he lives. Think of what your wives an'
sweethearts will say when you go home an' tell what ye did."

Ah! How they loved and admired the big fellow who was one of them. He
had stormed the defences at Quebec after leading his men through an
almost impassable wilderness; he had led his Rangers in wild charges
against the regulars under Burgoyne and driven them; he would win, and
they would help him, to the last drop of blo