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A Poetic Tribute to the Chief's Military Operation

Mob-like forces are approaching. Ignite a fire, and I'll lead the counterattack. This was Lieutenant Colonel William Washington's succinct communication, received by Lieutenant Colonel John Howard as his troops moved into their backup battle positions. Another enduring military wisdom was...

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Mob-like advance. Light the first flame, and I'll counter-attack. Such was Lieutenant Colonel...
Mob-like advance. Light the first flame, and I'll counter-attack. Such was Lieutenant Colonel William Washington's brief missive, received by Lieutenant Colonel John Howard as his troops moved into their backup battle stations. Indeed, another enduring war principle proved true in the cold of January.

A Poetic Tribute to the Chief's Military Operation

In the Heat of Battle

If you'd asked any man on that frosty South Carolina morning in 1781, they'd tell you: raw nerve and cold steel was the only recipe for success. But General Daniel Morgan had another secret ingredient – simplicity. His message to Lieutenant Colonel John Howard was as crisp as biscuit crackers, yet its effects were as fiery as a triple shot of whiskey.

"Gather the soldiers and tell them to prepare for a fight. One good blast, and our boys will charge 'em," he said. Howard's soldiers moved to their secondary positions, echoing the wisdom of an age-old saying: simplicity breeds triumph. The day's events were unfolding just as Morgan had envisioned during his walk-through with his generals the night before.

Morgan's instructions to the militia had been as basic as an ABC primer: load their muskets with 24 cartridges. Simple yet powerful, those 24 rounds would set the stage for a scene worthy of Hollywood. Those cartridges gave Morgan control – power to orchestrate eight to twelve minutes of relentless action, the initial damage he needed, followed by just enough ammo for self-defense as the men retreated. Morgan was betting on the aggression of British Colonel Banastre Tarleton, whose love for a good fight was as insatiable as his taste for wine.

Over the course of just one evening and early morning, Morgan conducted a thorough reconnaissance of the road junction at Cowpens. The terrain was mostly flat and barren, with only a narrow stream posing a minor obstacle. The depression through which the stream ran formed a slight rise in the middle of the battleground. This terrain posed both challenges and advantages – Morgan was calculating the strategic implications as he surveyed the area. Chief among his concerns: the timing of Tarleton's advance.

The science of warfare demands a precise understanding of the interplay between space and time. Morgan, in a stroke of genius, illuminated this equation in motion. Time passed. Space closed. Tarleton's forces were within forty yards of Morgan's flank. The continental soldiers began retiring from the front line, taking cover behind trees. As each man retreated, he fire a volley at the enemy. This game of cat and mouse left Tarleton exposed, his forces surrounded by a ring of aimed muskets.

Lieutenant Colonel William Washington saw the game afoot. He knew Tarleton was vulnerable. It was a message as loud and clear as a battle cry: time to move.

The British were caught off guard, dizzy from the barrage of bullets. Washington's cavalry hammered the blow. One swift surge, and the battle was all but won.

Warfare isn't a dance – it's a brutal tempo of violence, requiring more than just brawn or bravado. It demands an intimate understanding of the components that make up that rhythm – variables like tempo, rate of fire, endurance, and timing. Behind it all lies a science that can't be reduced to algorithms or databases. Every senior leader should prepare to face the complex math of combat with fewer resources.

General Morgan demonstrated a timeless example of leadership. He didn't just show up to the battlefield – he immersed himself in it. In today's age of automation, Morgan's victory at Cowpens reminds us that no amount of artificial intelligence can replicate the insights gained from being on the ground.

Tanner Port, a retired paratrooper and CW3 field artillery targeting officer, studies the evolution of warfare at Liberty University. He's a member of the Military Writers Guild and holds a Master of Arts in History from Southern New Hampshire University.

Disclaimer: The views expressed are those of the author and do not represent the official position of the United States Military Academy, Department of the Army, or Department of Defense.

Image credit: Master Sgt. Alexa Brumfield, US Army

In the heat of battle, intelligence and military strategy are as crucial as brute force.General Daniel Morgan's leadership demonstrated an understanding of the complex math of combat, employing simple yet powerful tactics during the Battle of Cowpens.A crucial element of Morgan's success was his thorough reconnaissance of the battlefield, allowing him to anticipate the enemy's advance and orchestrate a decisive surprise attack.Modern military leaders, in the age of automation, can benefit from remembering that no amount of artificial intelligence can replicate real-world insights gained from being on the ground during military operations.

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