Morgan rode to Howard and ordered him to send the retreating Continentals back into action. At that order, the Continental soldiers halted on a small ridge, faced about and delivered a withering volley of musket fire upon the surprised Highlanders who had expected the day to be theirs. The Continentals then charged the British troops, driving their bayonets into the Highlander line while the reformed Patriot militiamen curled around both flanks. The American troops quickly overran the enemy soldiers and their two supporting cannons. Meanwhile, Washington led his cavalry squadron into the British rear, sending most of the Legion dragoons into headlong flight. Tarleton attempted a final, desperate sortie with fifty dragoons but was driven from the field after a brief clash with Washington and his leading troopers. Tarleton’s withdrawal ended the hour-long battle of Cowpens.
"Whether my orders were not well understood or whether it proceeded from any other cause...some disorder ensued in [Wallace's company]which rather fell back than faced about as I wished. The rest of the line...faced about and retreated but in perfect order. At this moment Gen. Morgan rode to me and ordered me to retreat to Washington's horse, about 100 yards, and there form. The retreat was accidental but was very fortunate as we were extricated from the enemy...the line was perfectly formed in a moment. The enemy pressed upon us in disorder, expecting the fate of the day was decided. They were by this time within 30 yards of us with 2 field pieces; my men with uncommon coolness gave them an unexpected and deadly fire. Observing that this fire occasioned some disorder in them I ordered a charge which was executed so promptly that they never recovered. "
Col. John Eager HowardGreene, Nathanael. “The papers of General Nathanael Greene.” Vol. VII. Chapel Hill: Published for the Rhode Island Historical Society [by] University of North Carolina Press, 1976, p. 160.