Profile: Unnamed Hero at the Battle of Cowpens

Overview:

An unnamed Black patriot played a critical role in the Battle of Cowpens, fought on January 17, 1781, in South Carolina. This battle was a turning point in the Southern Campaign of the American Revolution and helped lead to the final American victory at Yorktown. During the battle, a Black soldier—likely serving as an aide or servant—fired a pistol at a British officer, saving the life of William Washington, cousin of George Washington. Although his actions were important, his name was never recorded. Historians know he existed mainly through later accounts and artwork.

One of the most well-known depictions comes from a painting by William Ranney, which shows the moment he fires to protect Washington during a fight with British officer Banastre Tarleton. Because the painting was created years after the battle, the artist had to imagine many details, including the figure of the Black soldier. Even so, the image has helped preserve this powerful moment. His story reflects a larger pattern in history where Black contributions were often left undocumented. Even without a name, his bravery shows that Black Americans were present and active in key moments that shaped the nation’s future.

Quick Facts:

• Fought in the Battle of Cowpens (1781)

• Was an African American patriot

• Likely served as an aide or assistant to William Washington

• Fired a pistol that saved Colonel William Washington’s life

• His name was never recorded in official records

• Known through historical accounts and artwork

• One of several Black men present at Cowpens

• Represents many unnamed Black contributors to the war

• William Ranney, the artist, painted the picture 64 years after the battle

Why This Story Matters:

This unnamed soldier matters because his story highlights both courage and absence. He acted at a critical moment and helped protect a leader whose survival mattered to the American cause. Yet his name was not recorded, which raises important questions about whose stories are preserved. His experience represents many Black patriots whose actions were real but whose identities were lost. Learning about him helps students see that history is not complete. It also challenges the idea that only well-known figures shaped the nation. His story invites us to look deeper and ask why some contributions are remembered while others are not. 

Legacy:

The legacy of this unnamed Black patriot is powerful because it is incomplete. His actions mattered, yet his identity was not preserved. This reflects a larger pattern in American history where Black contributions were often recorded without names or details. His story stands for many others whose bravery shaped events but were not fully recognized. Today, historians and educators use his story to highlight gaps in the historical record. He reminds us that history is not just about what we know, but also about what has been left out. His legacy encourages us to search for and honor those whose names were not written down. 

Discussion Questions:

1. How many acts of courage by Black patriots might still be hidden from history—and how does imagining those untold stories change the way you picture the Revolutionary War? 

2. If you were creating a textbook about the American Revolution, what choices would you make to ensure stories like this unnamed Black patriot are included—and why would those choices matter? 

3. How might the story of this unnamed Black patriot change if it were told from his point of view instead of someone else’s—and what details do you think might be different? 

Reflection Prompt:

1. In the painting, The Battle of Cowpens, created about 64 years after the event, the artist is using his imagination rather than a firsthand memory. The white officers are larger and on powerful horses with their heads held high, while the Black rider is smaller and placed on a smaller horse with its head lowered, almost as if bowing. If these details were chosen on purpose, what message might the artist be sending about power, status, and who is meant to be seen as important—and how might that shape the way people view Black individuals not only then, but in American life more broadly? 

Sources & Further Reading:

1. “The Battle of Cowpens.” National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

2. “Revolutionary War: Who Would Win and What Would Be Lost?” PBS, Africans in America. 

3. “Unsung Patriots: African-Americans at the Battle of Cowpens.” National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior. 

4. Ranney, William. The Battle of Cowpens. Painting. 1845. South Carolina State House Collection. 

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