JANUARY 17 — 1781 Battle of Cowpens; 1706 Happy Birthday Benjamin Franklin; 1961 Ike warns America about Military Industrial Complex
JANUARY 17
1781 – Battle of Cowpens. Daniel Morgan v Banister Tarleton. The result: American victory. A month prior to this, Maj. Gen. Nathanial Greene divided his American forces. He then took his wing of the army to Cheraw, SC, while Morgan led the other group in the back countries where he attempted to rally patriotic support. Tarleton knew about this plan, so British General Charles Cornwallis dispatched Tarleton with 1100 cavalry and infantry to engage Morgan. Morgan wanted the encounter to be at Cowpens because it was between two rivers, the Broad and Pacolet.
As the battle begun, Morgan instructed his men to skirmish with the British, but to leave the front line after firing two rounds. The British mistook this maneuver as a retreat and Tarleton pursued them and ran smack in to a wall of American rifle fire and a cavalry charge, followed by the return of the front line. Psych! It’s important to understand that one of the reasons why the British army in those days was globally dominant because they were disciplined… Maybe a little too disciplined. It was like a dance featuring rules of engagement. The American didn’t give a damn about the rules and were trying to win any way possible.
The British thought this was a retreat, when Patriot Lt. Col. William Washington’s cavalry struck their right flank from out of nowhere, and Col. Andrew Pickens infantry re-entered from the left, completely surrounding the British. This was not in the rulebook and the British were stunned. They didn’t know what to do. Tarleton barely escaped with his life and lost half his men, and although the Battle was small in sheer numbers lost, the patriot cause gained huge momentum in the south.
1706 – Happy Birthday one of America’s founding fathers, author, printer, political theorist, politician, postmaster, scientist, inventor, civic activist, statesman, and diplomat Benjamin Franklin. Invented the lightning rod, bifocals, the Franklin stove, came up with Philadelphia’s fire department and university. Truly a busy man with a very colorful life. 1871 – Andrew Hallidie invents and patents the cable car San Francisco uses to this day. You’re welcome world! It started on Clay Street two years later.
1961 – Ike warns America about military industrial complex. Indeed! This is a necessary but very volatile relationship between America’s military, legislators, and the arms industry. Palm grease anyone? It’s not limited to the Pentagon, Congress and Lockheed and Boeing, these days that term represents any nation that has a similar infrastructure or gets cozy with defense contracts. President Eisenhower warned America about this during his famous farewell speech, January 17 1961.
1971 – Baltimore Colts beat the Dallas Cowboys in Super Bowl V 16-13. Baltimore had three interceptions and 4 fumbles; while Dallas had three and one. The cowboys would be penalized for 135 yards. 1916 – Professional Golfers Association is formed in NYC by rodman Wanamaker, the son of the founder of Macy’s. On April 10, 1916 the PGA was officially established with 35 charter members, then later in October the first annual POGA Championship was held in the Bronx at Siwanoy Country Club where James Barnes beat Josh Hutchinson and took home almost $2600.