Morgan soon learned the enemy was across the Pacolet, and he calculated Tarleton’s troopers would overrun his rear guard before the Continental army could cross the Broad River safely. Unable to avoid a battle, the American commander marched his troops to Cowpens, a well-known pasture that offered defensible terrain. En route, Morgan joined forces with Pickens’ militia. While the Patriot soldiers ate, prepared their weapons, and rested at Cowpens, Morgan rode the pasture with his subordinates. The experienced American commanders saw the clearing offered commanding high ground suitable for a layered defense, and creeks to both sides that protected American flanks. After dark, Morgan issued his final orders before walking the bivouac site to boost the morale of his men. While the Americans rested, Tarleton’s troops broke camp and slogged along the muddy Green River Road. Legion troopers skirmished with a Patriot partisan patrol, yielding prisoners who revealed Morgan’s location at Cowpens. Tarleton left Cornwallis’ army far behind as he pushed his legion on through most of the night, determined to catch Morgan before he could slip away.
"We were very anxious for battle, and many a hearty curse had been vented against General Morgan during that day's march for retreating, as we thought, to avoid a battle. Night came upon us, yet much remained to be done...It was upon this occasion I was more perfectly convinced of Gen. Morgan's qualifications to command militia than I had ever before been. He went among the volunteers, helped them fix their swords, joked with them about their sweet-hearts, told them to keep in good spirits, and the day would be ours. And long after I laid down, he was going about among the soldiers, encouraging them and telling them that the old wagoner would crack his whip over Ben. in the morning as sure as they lived. "Just hold up your heads, boys, three fires," he would say, "and you are free, and then when you return to your homes, how the old folks will bless you, and the girls kiss you, for your gallant conduct!" I don't believe he slept a wink that night!"
Capt. Thomas YoungJohnson, Joseph (ed.). “Traditions and reminiscences, chiefly of the American revolution in the South: including biographical sketches, incidents, and anecdotes, few of which have been published, particularly of residents in the upper country.” Charleston, S.C.: Walker & James, 1851, p. 449.