"Though best known as a Revolutionary War general, Andrew Pickens (1739-1817) was more than just an influential military figure in the early American republic, also serving as a church leader, justice of the peace, legislator, and congressman. In this book, Rod Andrew Jr. offers the first comprehensive biography of Pickens, a hero at the pivotal Battle of Cowpens, in over a generation. Andrew defines his subject as a man of action, analyzing his motivations in context of the tumultuous and often violent landscape of early America. Andrew ... depicts the life of Pickens as he founds churches, acquires slaves, joins in the fight against the British in the American Revolution, and struggles over Indian territorial boundaries on the southern frontier"-- Provided by publisher.

Family pilgrimage -- Family, war, and order -- The backcountry militia -- Defending the new order, 1777-1779 -- Liberty and virtue in a conquered land -- The "brave and valuable" Colonel Pickens : the Cowpens campaign -- The North Carolina campaign -- Fighting his way back home -- Ninety Six and Eutaw -- A state of alarm and confusion -- Rebuilding civil society -- General Pickens, Indian Treaty commissioner -- The struggle for peace -- The strong hand of government, 1789-1793 -- War, peace, and corruption, 1793-1797 -- Every thing that was possible for men of honor to do -- Retirement and looking back.