Patriot scouts kept Morgan informed of Tarleton’s whereabouts, and the American commander woke his soldiers an hour before dawn. The well-rested men ate quickly and trotted into line facing east across the Green River Road. Morgan’s plan was designed to capitalize on the strength of each, so he placed 270 militia skirmishers downslope of Pickens’ militia brigade of 700 men. Lt. Col. John Eager Howard’s Maryland Continentals lined up behind Pickens, while Lt. Col. William Washington’s dragoon squadron remained in reserve. Morgan intended the skirmishers to trade space for time, inflicting heavy casualties–especially on enemy officers– before regrouping behind the protection of Continentals and dragoons on the flanks. Tarleton’s lead dragoons rode into the Cowpens at daybreak, but were repelled by a deadly Patriot volley. Tarleton responded by deploying his infantry to drive off the enemy militia with the bayonet, covered by the fire of his 3-pounder “grasshopper” cannons. The Patriot skirmishers “gave them a heavy & galling fire and retreated to the Regiments intended for their support” with the enemy troops following closely behind.
"About sunrise the British advanced at sort of a trot, with a loud halloo; it was the most beautiful line I ever saw. When they shouted, I heard Morgan say, "They give us the British halloo, boys--give them the Indian whoop" and he galloped along the lines, cheering the men and telling them not to fire until they could see the whites of their eyes. The militia fired first, they being in advance..."
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. 450.