battle of Cowpens

(1) Beginning his professional writings just three decades after the American Revolution, it is probable the famous Prussian studied the battle of Cowpens, a decisive American victory which exemplifies all three of his prescribed tactical factors.

Another sidebar analyzes William Ranney's famous painting, "The Battle of Cowpens," and places it among similar works such as Emanuel Leutze's, "Washington Crossing the Delaware." None of these tools would be particularly effective, however, without a strong, well-researched narrative, and Walker's work possesses this in abundance.

In the story, the hero of the battle of Cowpens, which took place on January 17, 1781, is allowed to come alive and talk with Heidi because of a wish she makes with the aid of a magic yellow balloon.

Hamner, an assistant professor of history at George Mason University, opens with a chapter contrasting the Battle of Cowpens during the War of Independence, the Battle of Shiloh during the Civil War, and the Battle of the Hurtgen Forest during the Second World War from the combat soldier's viewpoint.

His skill and distinction on the battlefield were notable; he was awarded a Silver Medal by Congress for his efforts in the Battle of Cowpens in 1781, and there remains written testimony to his shrewdness and valor as observed by his contemporaries, including George Washington and Nathaniel Greene.