Handbook 135 Cowpens
“Downright Fighting”
The Story of Cowpens
_by Thomas J. Fleming_
A Handbook for
Cowpens National Battlefield
South Carolina
Produced by the
Division of Publications
National Park Service
U.S. Department of the Interior
Washington, D.C. 1988
_About this book_
The story of Cowpens, as told in these pages, is ever fresh and will
live in memory as long as America’s wars are studied and talked about.
The author is Thomas Fleming, a biographer, military historian, and
novelist of distinction. His works range from an account of the
Pilgrims’ first year in America to biographies of Jefferson and Franklin
and novels of three American wars. _Downright Fighting, The Story of
Cowpens_ is a gripping tale by a master storyteller of what has been
described as the patriot’s best fought battle of the Revolutionary War.
The National Park System, of which Cowpens National Battlefield is a
unit, consists of more than 340 parks totaling 80 million acres. These
parks represent important examples of the nation’s natural and cultural
inheritance.
_National Park Handbooks_
National Park handbooks, compact introductions to the natural and
historical places administered by the National Park Service, are
designed to promote public understanding and enjoyment of the parks.
Each handbook is intended to be informative reading and a useful guide
to park features. More than 100 titles are in print. They are sold at
parks and by mail from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government
Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402.
_Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data_
Fleming, Thomas J.
Cowpens: “downright fighting.”
(Handbook: 135)
“A Handbook for Cowpens National Battlefield, South Carolina.”
Bibliography: p.
Includes index.
Supt. of Docs. no.: I29.9/5:135
1. Cowpens, Battle of, 1781. I. Title. II. Series: Handbook (United
States. National Park Service. Division of Publications); 135.
E241.C9F58 1988 973.3’37 87-600142
_ISBN 0-912627-33-6_
★GPO: 1988—201-939/60005
Prologue 4
_George F. Scheer_
Part 1 “Downright Fighting” 10
The Story of Cowpens
_Thomas J. Fleming_