Daniel Morgan at the Cowpens, 1781

Daniel Morgan led one of ten rifle companies at the Siege of Boston in 1775-76 before retiring in 1779. He returned to service a year later and was promoted to brigadier general by Horatio Gates. Tasked with engaging the British General Charles Cornwallis to distract him and his men allowed Nathanael Greene’s troops in the South to recover. Morgan carried out these orders until the British discovered his tactics leading to a direct confrontation at the Battle of the Cowpens (South Carolina) in 1781. Morgan’s tactical innovations in the battle at Cowpens helped pave the way toward American victory over the British. Congress regarded this victory as a turning point in the Revolutionary War and honored Morgan, as well as two others, John Eager Howard and William Washington, with Congressional medals. 

The obverse of this medal depicts a dynamic scene of Morgan on horseback leading a charge toward the British cavalry. On the reverse, a female allegorical figure representing America crowns Morgan with a laurel wreath. Augustin Dupre engraved this medal.