Battle of Cowan's Ford facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Cowan's Ford
Part of the American Revolutionary War
Date February 1, 1781 Location Lincoln and Mecklenburg County, North Carolina Result British victory
Belligerents
Great Britain	United States
Commanders and leaders
Lord Cornwallis Banastre Tarleton	William Davidson  †
Strength
2,440	800
Casualties and losses
4 killed 36 wounded	4 killed Wounded unknown 3 captured

The Battle of Cowan's Ford was an important fight during the American Revolutionary War. It happened on February 1, 1781, at a river crossing called Cowan's Ford. This ford was on the Catawba River in North Carolina. British forces, led by Lord Cornwallis, fought against American soldiers. The Americans tried to stop the British from crossing the river. Sadly, the American general, William Lee Davidson, was killed in this battle. This battle was part of a larger plan by Cornwallis. His goal was to defeat the American army in the South.

Why Did the Battle Happen?

After a big British win at the Battle of Camden, General Nathanael Greene took charge of the American forces in the South. Greene knew his army was smaller. It also had less equipment than the British army. Instead of fighting a huge battle, Greene chose a different plan. He wanted to wear down the British with many smaller fights. He famously said, "We fight, get beat, rise, and fight again."

After another battle called Battle of Cowpens, Cornwallis was determined. He wanted to destroy Greene's army for good. Cornwallis ordered his men to burn their extra supplies. Then, he chased Greene in what was called the "Race to the Dan." This chase led them towards the Catawba River.

In late January, Cornwallis's army reached the Catawba. The river was swollen from heavy rains. For three days, the British waited at Ramsour's Mill. They were joined by other British troops there.

On January 28, 1781, General Daniel Morgan sent a message to General Greene. He reported that the British were moving towards the Catawba River. Morgan tried to gather local fighters, called militia. He wanted to slow down Cornwallis's crossing. General William Lee Davidson was sent with 500 militia to Beatties Ford. Many of these militia had muskets without flints. This meant they couldn't fire their guns.

Cornwallis then moved his army to Jacob Forney's. They camped there for three more days. He saw that the river at Beatties Ford was too wild to cross.

The Battle at the Ford

On January 31, Cornwallis decided to move his army. It was still raining heavily. He worried that more delays would let Greene's army escape. Cornwallis planned a trick. He sent some troops to Beatties Ford. They would make a lot of noise and fire cannons. This would make the Americans think he would cross there. But Cornwallis secretly marched his main army downriver to Cowan's Ford.

General Greene arrived and told General Davidson to slow the British. Davidson had placed his men at different river crossings. Greene and Morgan then left to join their main army. They headed towards Salisbury, North Carolina.

Davidson sent some cavalry and infantry to Cowan's Ford. This was about four miles south. Their job was to watch for a surprise British crossing at night. Davidson joined them later that evening. He worried that British troops might sneak across. They could then attack his men from behind. So, he set up camp a half-mile from the river. He placed guards right at the water's edge.

Near daybreak, Cornwallis's army reached Cowan's Ford. They had a tough march and lost some cannons. Cowan's Ford actually had two paths. One was the "horse ford," which was longer but shallower. The other was the "wagon ford," which went straight across but was much deeper. The British didn't hesitate. They began crossing the deep wagon ford. Soon, their horses were swimming in the strong current.

Davidson's American forces immediately attacked. The militia fired at the British soldiers struggling in the water. Many British soldiers were hit. As the first British troops reached the bank, they formed a line. They began firing back at the retreating militia. Soon after arriving, General Davidson was shot through the heart. He fell from his horse and died. People say a local Loyalist (a colonist who supported the British) fired the fatal shot.

Later that evening, Davidson's body was found. British soldiers had robbed him. In 2001, his wallet was returned from England. It had been kept in London since the Revolution. General Davidson is buried at Hopewell Church in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina.

Who Fought in the Battle?

American Forces (Patriots)

The American forces were led by Brigadier General William Lee Davidson. He was killed during the battle. The American side was mostly made up of militia. These were citizen soldiers from North Carolina. They came from places like Mecklenburg County, Rowan County, and Lincoln County.

British and Loyalist Forces

The British forces were commanded by Lt. General Charles, Lord Cornwallis. His army included different types of soldiers. There were the British Guards, who were elite soldiers. There was also the 23rd Regiment of Foot, known as the Royal Welsh Fusiliers. German soldiers from Hesse-Kassel also fought with the British. They were called the Musketeer Regiment von Bose. Finally, there were Loyalists, Americans who supported the British. These included the British Legion and the Prince of Wales American Volunteers.