Nathanael Greene strategically divided his forces with the primary aim of compelling the superior British army, led by Cornwallis, to similarly fragment their own forces in unfamiliar and hostile territory.
Strategic Rationale Behind Greene's Bold Move
Greene's decision to split his army was a calculated risk taken in the face of a numerically superior enemy. His central objective was to force General Charles Cornwallis to divide his own troops. By doing so, Greene hoped to gain a strategic advantage, making the British force less cohesive and more vulnerable in a region where they were not familiar with the terrain or local support. This maneuver was designed to dilute the British advantage in numbers and potentially create opportunities for the Continental Army.
The Role of Daniel Morgan's Detachment
As part of this bold strategy, Daniel Morgan was tasked with leading a detachment of Greene's army to the southwest. This specific division had a crucial role in the overall plan:
- Luring a British Force: Morgan's detachment was intended to draw a portion of the British forces, specifically those under Colonel Banastre “Bloody Ban” Tarleton, away from Cornwallis's main body.
- Achieving Fragmentation: By successfully luring Tarleton, Greene aimed to further fragment the British command and achieve his overarching goal of forcing Cornwallis to disperse his army across a wider area. This move ultimately led to the Battle of Cowpens, an important American victory that demonstrated the effectiveness of Greene's strategy.
