Cowpens National Battlefield marks 228th anniversary of pivotal battle

Revolutionary War re-enactors fire a cannon during a demonstration last summer at Cowpens National Battlefield. Rifle and canon firing demonstrations will be presented again this weekend at the battlefield's celebration of the 228th anniversary or the pivotal battle. LEDGER FILE PHOTOS BY JOE HUGHES II C owpens National Battlefield will celebrate the 228th anniversary of the Battle of Cowpens, a Revolutionary War battle that helped turn the tide of war to the advantage of the Americans, on Saturday, Jan. 17, and Sunday, Jan. 18. All activities are free and open to the public. Many of the activities are targeted especially for children.

Saturday, the park has planned ranger-guided battlefield walks; musket, rifle and cannon firing demonstrations by reenactors; and lectures, readings, storytelling and book signings by authors. There will be a wreath-laying ceremony to honor Revolutionary War soldiers, and a drama by actor Howard Burnham about British General Lord Cornwallis. The lantern walks will be showcased Saturday evening. Sunday, there will be ranger-led battlefield walks, musket, rifle and cannon firing demonstrations, and the arrival of the Morgan's March participants.

Demonstrations by costumed reenactors will be part of the festivities during this weekend's commemoration of the 228th anniversary of the Battle of Cowpens. Here, Fountain Inn resident Mike Timberlake (left) takes a look at a gun being used by a fellow 18th Century re-enactor at a special event at the Cowpens Battleground last summer. There will be two ranger-led lantern walks Saturday at 6 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. During the 45- minute walks, which depict what may have happened the night before the battle, visitors are encouraged to interact with the costumed reenactors. British commander Banastre Tarleton will be portrayed at one stop on the walks. Tarleton, known as Bloody Ban, had a malicious reputation and the Americans knew that they would be fighting for their lives the next day. Militia and Continental reenactors will depict possible activities at Morgan's camp the night before the battle. As participants in the walks, visitors will have the opportunity to "experience" the night before the battle. Park volunteers will serve free cookies and cider following the walks and the park will close at 7:30 p.m.

Ranger-guided battlefield walks are planned at 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Saturday and at 10 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Sunday.

Saturday at 10 a.m., Dr. Christine Swager will give a talk about her book, Revolution: Heroes of Kettle Creek, as well as her eighth grade book, Come to the Cow Pens. At noon, Gerald Teaster will give a reading from his book, Spirit Up the People: Four Days to the Cowpens. Finally at 5 p.m. Saturday while visitors are waiting for the lantern walks, Sheila Ingle will give a dramatic presentation, "A Scary Day for Kate Barry," from her book, Courageous Kate: A Daughter of the American Revolution. All three authors will be available for book signings.

Eighteenth Century cavalry demonstrations will be held at 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Saturday. Members of the 3rd Continental Light Dragoons will talk about the importance of cavalry in the 18th Century in general and the Battle of Cowpens in particular as well as demonstrate Revolutionary War era cavalry skills.

At 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the Daniel Morgan statue in Spartanburg, members of the Daugh- ers, Sons and Children of the American Revolution will honor their ancestors by placing carnations in a wreath. Then, at 2 p.m., at the U.S. Monument at the battlefield there will be a moment of silence and reading of the names of the men who died in the Battle of Cowpens and aboard CVL- 25, USS Cowpens. This will be followed by a wreath-laying at the monument by the DAR, SAR and CAR.

Reenactors will give 18th century weapons firing demonstrations at 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Saturday and at 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Sunday.

Saturday at 4 p.m., Howard Burnham will give a one-man show as Lord Cornwallis. During this humorous program, he will present the British point of view of the American Revolution and explain, his view, of how England lost the 13 colonies.

Also on Jan. 17-18, individuals can relive a part of history by participating in all or part of the two-day Morgan's March from Grindal Shoals to Cowpens National Battlefield. To participate in the 25-mile march, pre-register with the Town of Pacolet at 864-474-9504 or email Mayor Elaine Harris at eharris@ townofpacolet.com.

Sunday at 1 p.m., the Morgan's March participants will arrive at Cowpens National Battlefield's trailhead parking lot and continue their march down Green River Road. At 2 p.m., park staff will award a "Morgan's Flying Army" medal to a maximum 150 participants - adults who register and participate in the march, and to school-aged children who accompany the marchers on the Green River Road from Cowpens National Battlefield's trailhead parking lot to the Visitor Center.

The park will close Sunday at 5 p.m.

WHAT'S GOING ON

SATURDAY, JAN. 17

9 a.m.: Ranger-guided battlefield walk.

10 a.m.: Lecture by Christine Swager, author of Heroes of Kettle Creek, followed by book signing in Visitor Center.

10:30 a.m.: Ceremony at Daniel Morgan Square in Spartanburg.

10:30 a.m.: 18th Century cavalry demonstration.

11 a.m.: Ranger-guided battlefield walk.

11:15 a.m.: Musket drill for kids.

11:30 a.m.: 18th Century musket/rifle firing demonstration.

12 p.m.: Reading by Gerald Teaster, author of Spirit up the People - Four Days to the Cow Pens, followed by book signing.

12:30 p.m. :18th Century cavalry demonstration.

1 p.m.: Ranger-guided battlefield walk.

1:30 p.m.: 18th Century cannon firing demonstration.

2 p.m.: Minute of silence and reading of names of the men who died in the battle and aboard the USS Cowpens, CVL-25, in front of the Visitor Center at the U.S. Monument.

2:10 p.m.: Wreath-laying by CAR, DAR and SAR chapters at 1932 U.S. Monument in front of Visitor Center; welcome by the National Park Service.

3 p.m.: Ranger-guided battlefield walk.

3:15 p.m.: Musket drill for kids.

3:30 p.m.: 18th Century musket/rifle firing demonstration.

4 p.m.: Howard Burnham as Cornwallis.

4:30 p.m.: 18th Century cavalry demonstration.

5 p.m.: Storytelling by Sheila Ingle, preceded by book signing in Visitor Center.

6 p.m.: Guided lantern walks. The evening walks take you back in time to Morgan's Camp on the night before the Battle of Cowpens. The walks will last about 45 minutes and depart from the Visitor Center at 6 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Cookies and cider will be available in the Visitor Center after the lantern walks.

SUNDAY, JAN.18

10 a.m.: Ranger-guided battlefield walk.

10:15 a.m.: Musket drill for kids.

10:30 a.m.: 18th Century musket/rifle firing demonstration.

11:30 a.m.: 18th Century cannon firing demonstration.

12:15 p.m.: Musket drill for kids.

12:30 p.m.: 18th Century musket/rifle firing demonstration.

1 p.m.: Arrival of Morgan's March participants.

1:30 p.m.: 18th Century cannon firing demonstration.

2 p.m.: Award medal to Morgan's March participants. Up to 150 "Morgan's Flying Army" medals will be given to the adults who participate in Morgan's March and school-aged children and teens who walk the Green River Road with the Morgan's March group. Must be present to receive medal.

2:30 p.m.: 18th Century musket/rifle and cannon firing demonstration.

3 p.m.: Musket drill for kids. Reenactors break camp.

3:30 p.m.: Ranger-guided battlefield walk.