MovieChat Forums > The Patriot (2000) Discussion > The real Battle of Cowpens

The real Battle of Cowpens

posted 9 years ago by volkstraum
9 replies | jump to latest

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/67/Battle_of_Cowpens.Dean.USMA.edu.history.png This map shows it all in a very simple graphic: militia faked their "rout" reformed behind the hill and attacked on the left flank. Continentals stood firm in the middle. South Carloina's own dragoons attacked on the right flank.
The map also shows the river immediately behind the hill; which teased Tarleton into thinking he could wipe out the rebels. General Morgan planned this perfectly.

I wish these points were brought up in the movie -- I don't see why the writers had to mess with the facts. Especially since there were actual rebel cavalry used in the battle -- we could have seen Martin chase down Tarleton before going ahead with the fictitious final fight.

"I can't help but notice that there are skulls all over everything. Are we the baddies?"

[–] Jimmy_Feline 9 years ago

Aye - The Battle of Waxhaws was the event Tarleton was demonised for. Accounts vary. The British version of events stated after the White Flag was raised by Buford's men shots were fired by Buford's men at the British. Whether the flag was seen by everyone is doubtful.

[–] volkstraum 9 years ago

Yes! However, no burning churches I'm afraid.

"I can't help but notice that there are skulls all over everything. Are we the baddies?"

[–] dannieboy20906 9 years ago

There is no name given to the climactic battle in "The Patriot." Based on the tactics used by both sides and the locale, they seemed to have kluged up a battle from picking bits and pieces from Cowpens and Guilford Courthouse.

I think that there was, at least an accusation though the proof seems controversial, a case where the inhabitants of a town that had aided the Patriots were burned to death in a building. I am not sure that it was a church. I thought this scene seemed over the top and researched it ten years ago.

Most of the fighting, including "King's Mountain," that was fought entirely by militia was the most vicious. Colonel (later general) Marion was not there, but I think that both Sumter and Pickens were. The Patriot militia was reported to have killed all the Tory militia by bayonet while shouting "Tarleton's quarter." That report is not entirely true because some of the Tories survived.

Anyway, Britain lost and we won our independence, just live with it.

The best diplomat I know is a fully charged phaser bank.

[–] volkstraum 9 years ago

I have the DVD. The chapter depicting the climactic battle is titled "Battle of Cowpens"

I couldn't believe when I read his filmography that he played a toilet (no joke) in According to Jim

[–] dannieboy20906 9 years ago

Those are a couple of interesting points. I have the DVD also, but I never noted the chapter names. The battle shown definitely did not follow the actual events at Cowpens. So, that is easy to agree with. I think I must take issue with the DVD production in even calling it "Battle of Cowpens." I'm fairly certain that there was no building on the battlefield, hence my comment about kluging the two battles together.

I guess that you are talking about Mel Gibson when say "he played a toilet." Even when I read that or think about it after several times, I still laugh. Thanks for the comments.

The best diplomat I know is a fully charged phaser bank.

[–] volkstraum 9 years ago

Apologies, that second quote concerns James Earl Jones and is my signature.


I couldn't believe when I read his filmography that he played a toilet (no joke) in According to Jim

[–] dannieboy20906 9 years ago

Thanks, cool, it is still laugh out loud funny.

The best diplomat I know is a fully charged phaser bank.

[–] ironduke74 9 years ago

lol our?

I bet you cant trace your roots back to 1776 america lol fake

[–] BillyBob72 9 years ago

The book "A Devil of a Whipping: The Battle of Cowpens" is a great account of the battle. General Morgan was outstanding with his planning for the battle, and it was he who visited the Militia the prior evening asking them to fire 2 shots before re-forming with the Continentals. A major reason for this is the Militia and Skirmishers mostly had rifles which could not be armed with bayonets, but the Contintal troops had smooth bore muskets with bayonets which was vital when the British made their customary bayonet charge. Daniel Morgan is definitely a hero of the Revolution.