To place the campaign in the Carolinas in context, chapter one addresses the Revolutionary War in its strategic context -- how military planners determined to prosecute the war to achieve its political goals -- and relates the principal events of the war. To provide the environment for the Battle of the Cowpens, chapter two discusses operational issues and narrates the campaign. The third chapter focuses on the tactical aspects of the battle on that cold morning in January 1781. The fourth chapter I have included as a guide for the staff ride. The leader of the staff ride could use it in conjunction with the narrative chapters and appendix or let it stand alone as a guide to a study of the campaign and battle.

Guidebook

Introduction -- 1. An overview of the American Revolution -- 2. The Campaign in the Carolinas, 1780-1781 -- 3. "This unexpected event": annihilation at the Cowpens -- 4. The staff ride -- Appendix A. Order of battle -- Appendix B. Documents pertaining to the campaign leading to the Cowpens, 1 November 1780 to 1 November 1781 -- Appendix C. Documents pertaining to the Battle of the Cowpens, 17 January 1781 -- Appendix D. Documents pertaining to the Campaign of the Cowpens, 1 December 1780 to 20 January 1781 -- Appendix E. Miscellaneous writings pertaining to the Campaign of the Cowpens -- Bibliography.