Georgia and the American Revolution

Georgia Fights Back - Patriots move to backcountry Georgia and attempt to fight the superior British force.

http://www-cgsc.army.mil/carl/resources/csi/Moncure/moncure.asp

At this moment, separate decisions led to the envelopment for which the battle has become famous (see map 14). Washington now parried the fixing attack on the American left flank and moved forward, past Triplett's flank and behind the right flank of the now crumbling British line. Almost simultaneously, Pickens' Militia, which had regrouped behind the Continental Line, appeared on the American right, sweeping around behind the other British flank. Was their reappearance part of a contingency plan preconceived by Morgan? If so, he deceived the militia when he promised them freedom after the "three fires." McJunkin says only that Howard ordered a charge, and the militia returned "left and right"; Major Young is no more specific.⁴⁷ Hammond, so precise in his details, makes no mention of any such plan. Only Private James Collins tells us that Morgan himself appeared among the militiamen, still recovering from their recent deliverance from a cavalry charge, to exhort them to rejoin the battle.⁴⁸ We must conclude that the return of the militia was the consequence of the initiative of a commander-which one, we may never know.⁴⁹ Both Pickens and Morgan were close enough to have ordered the maneuver. Either Howard or Washington, already in the operation, could have sent a runner to Pickens with a plea for his support. In any case, surely Pickens would have led the counterattack personally.

Collins remembered that Morgan rode in front of the militia and cried, "Form, form, my brave fellows! give them one more fire and the day is ours.

The South Carolina militia were directed by Gen. Pickens. The Colonels were John Thomas, Thomas Brandon, Glenn Anderson, and McCall; the Lieutenant Colonels, William Farr and Benjamin Roebuck; the Majors, Henry White and Joseph McJunkin; Captains, John Alexander Collins, Elder, Crawford, with Lieuts. Thomas Moore and Hugh Means...

It was not long until it became necessary for us to seek safety by joining Morgan, who was encamped at the Cowpens, but we were not permitted to remain long idle, for Tarleton came on like a thunder storm, which soon put us to our best mettle. After the tidings of his approach came into camp,-in the night--we were all awakened, ordered under arms, and formed in order of battle by daybreak. About sunrise on the l7th January, 1781, the enemy came into full view. The sight, to me at least, seemed somewhat imposing; they halted for a short time, and then advanced rapidly, as if certain victory. The militia under Pickins and Moffitt, was posted on the right of the regulars some distance in advance, while Washington's cavalry was stationed in the rear. We gave the enemy one fire, when they charged us with their bayonets; we gave way and retreated for our horses, Tarleton's cavalry pursued us; ("now," thought I, "my hide is in the loft;") just as we got to our horses, they overtook us and began to make a few hacks at some, however, without doing much injury. They, in their haste, had pretty much scattered, perhaps, thinking they would have another Fishing creek frolic, but in a few moments, Col. Washington's cavalry was among them, like a whirlwind, and the poor fellows began to kneel from their horses, without being able to remount. The shock was so sudden and violent, they could not stand it, and immediately betook themselves to flight; there was no time to rally, and they appeared to be as hard to stop as a drove of wild Choctaw steers, going to a Pennsylvania market. In a few moments the clashing of swords was out of hearing and quickly out of sight; by this time, both lines of the infantry were warmingly engaged and we being relieved from the pursuit of the enemy began to rally and prepare to redeem our credit, when Morgan rode up in front, and waving his sword, cried out, "Form, form, my brave fellows! give them one more fire and the day is ours. Old Morgan. was never beaten." We then advanced briskly, and gained the right flank of the enemy, and they being hard pressed in front, by Howard, and falling very fast, could not stand it long. They began to throw down their arms, and surrender themselves prisoners of war. The whole army, except Tarleton and his horsemen, fell into the hands of Morgan, together with all the baggage. After the fight was over, the sight was truly melancholy. The dead on the side of the British, exceeded the number killed at the battle of King's Mountain, being if I recollect aright, three hundred, or upwards. The loss, on the side of the Americans, was only fifteen or sixteen, and a few slightly wounded. This day, I fired my little rifle five times whether with any effect or not, I do not know, Next day after receiving some small share of the plunder, and taking care to get as much powder as we could, we (the militia) were disbanded and returned to our old haunts, where we obtained a few day's rest.

The History of the Revolution in South Carolina. Trenton, NJ: Isaac Collins, 1785

http://www.nps.gov/cowp/Unit7.htm

James Collins was a 17-year-old South Carolinian who fought with General Thomas Sumter and other militia leaders after the fall of Charleston to the British. He kept a journal in which he wrote of British destruction, and battles leading up to the Battle of Cowpens. His account gives great insight into the battle, Daniel Morgan, his attitude toward the British, and the hardships of the militia. Probably his best account is that of the militia line as they got off two volleys and retreated in the face of Tarleton’s attack.

The History of the Revolution of South-Carolina, from a British Province to an Independent State. 2 vols. Trenton: Isaac Collins, 1785

http://www.nps.gov/cowp/batlcowp.htm  In the Revolution, Patriot and British armies often marched and fought on empty stomachs as plans for obtaining food went awry. This was particularly true in the backcountry where food was scarce. Examples of foraging for food and food-related problems abound. Earlier in the war, General Gates and his Southern Continentals, on the march to Camden, subsisted on apples, peaches, and half-ripened corn. James Collins, writing about backcountry campaigns in his Autobiography of a Revolutionary Soldier, told of eating turnips and parched corn. In one poignant example, Battle of Cowpen's participant John Martin, recuperating from wounds in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, and beyond assistance of the army, reported the death of his horse because he lacked money to purchase forage. In another instance, Cornwallis, because his army was so dead tired and hungry, chose not to pursue General Greene in the aftermath of the Battle of Guilford Courthouse. Up in Virginia, Samuel McCune was employed to drive cattle from Augusta County to Yorktown. Throughout the southern theater of war, scouting parties on both sides would scour the country in every direction in search of food.

Roberts, John M. ed. Autobiography of A Revolutionary Soldier by James P. Collins. North Stratford, New Hampshire: Ayer Company Publishers, Inc., 1989. Originally Published by Feliciana Democrat Printers, Clinton, Louisiana, 1859.*

American Indian Melungeon

http://www.tomkinshome.com/familyweb/aqwg155.htm

From Jean Weems Neathery, Edgefield County, SC Wills, Box 21, Package 751, Film 162248

In the name of God, Amen. I Hezekiah Nobles of the State of South Carolina and District of Edgefield, being in perfect health and of sound memory and Judgement; knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die; do constitute and make this my last will and testament in manner and form following.  That is to Say, I will that my wife Elcy Nobles have one negro woman named Aggy one mare called Jinny and one bed and furniture.  I will that Elizabeth Holloway, Sally Bolger wife of John Bolger Jr. and Rhoda Bean have three hundred Acres of Land on the East part of my track of Land to be divided equally among them.  My will is that James Collins, Son of Gibson Collins, and Hermutel Amanda Holloway, Daughter of William Holloway have Two hundred and Twenty five Dollars each out of my Estate.  I will that Gibson Collins have Fifty Dollars out of my Estate.  I will that William Holloway have Ten Dollars out of my Estate.  I will that all the Balance of my property be equally divided between my Six Children: Viz, John Nobles, Mark Nobles, Luke Nobles, Elizabeth Holloway, Sally Bolger and Rhoda Bean and I will that the above named negro woman named Aggy together with her increase be the property of the above named John, Mark, Luke,
Elizabeth, Sally and Rhoda at the death of my wife.

Beth Collins: My husband is a direct descendant of Gibson Collins who married Hezekiah's daughter Mary. I have that she and Gibson were married in 1820 and that she died in 1822 in Newberry County, South Carolina.  They had a son James Collins who married Susannah Harrison.  James was a private in the Civil War.  He was captured in the Battle of Seccessionville on James Island in 1862.  He was shipped to Fort Columbus, New York on a POW prison ship.  He died in New York.  I have lineage from James and well as Gibson.  I do not know who Gibson's parents were, but he was born and raised in the Kirksey Section of Edgefield County, South Carolina.  This is where my husband's parents were born and raised.
 

Georgia in the Revolutionary War

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