Monday, Sep 24, 2007
National Park Service News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – DATE: September 24, 2007 CONTACT: Donna Davis, (864) 461-2828
“’Twas the Night before Kings Mountain” At Cowpens National Battlefield
At 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 6, behind the Cowpens National Battlefield Visitor Center, the Overmountain Victory Trail Association, which annually retraces the 330-mile march that patriot militia took to Kings Mountain in 1780, will present a special program about the events that took place at the Cowpens that night before the Revolutionary War battle of Kings Mountain.
The 45-minute program will explain why the overmountain men were coming from Tennessee and Virginia to meet the British at Kings Mountain, South Carolina; how the patriots chose those who would continue on the march to Kings Mountain; and what other events occurred that night before the great patriot victory over the British on the following day.
Superintendent Tim Stone said, “This is the second year that we have offered this evening event to the community and we’re hoping to see many citizens at the park to “spirit up the patriots”.” Bring the family, lawn chairs, blankets and a picnic and enjoy an entertaining and educational program on the park lawn. For our visitors’ convenience, the park front gate will stay open until 7:15 p.m. that night.
On October 6, 1780, “overmountain” men from Virginia and Tennessee met at the Cowpens, a well-known South Carolina backcountry pasturing area, to plan their attack on British Major Patrick Ferguson at nearby Kings Mountain. Of the roughly 1800 men who gathered at the Cowpens, only about 900 of those that had horses were selected to continue on to Kings Mountain. Three months later, Daniel Morgan and his American army would defeat Lt. Colonel “Bloody” Banastre Tarleton’s British army at the same Cowpens where the Kings Mountain attack had been planned. These two battles helped turn the tide of America’s fight for independence. For more information on the Battle of Kings Mountain, please visit Kings Mountain National Military Park’s webpage at www.nps.gov/kimo.
Cowpens National Battlefield is the site of the American victory over the British on January 17, 1781 and is located 10 miles west of Gaffney, SC, and 3 miles east of Chesnee, SC at the intersection of Highways 11, 110, and 221-A. The 840 acre park has a visitor center, movie, bookstore and ranger guided tours. There is also a picnic area, hiking trails and three mile auto tour loop. Visitor Center hours are 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. daily, closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Day. For more information, call (864) 461-2828 or visit the park’s webpage at www.nps.gov/cowp.
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EXPERIENCE YOUR AMERICATM The National Park Service cares for special places saved by the American people so that all may experience our heritage.
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