Banaster Tarlton, was one of the fastest promoted officers in the American Campaign. Though daring and reckless behavior, he attacked American position after position quickly, inflicting much damage. Now was leading his famed legion (a lightening force of cavalry and infantry, also known as the green coats because of their uniforms) in pursuit of Morgans’ force.
There was no doubt the Tarlton was coming. Nathaniel Green set forth the following dispatch to Morgan, “Col. Tarlton is said to be on his way to pay you a visit. I doubt not but he will have a decent reception and a proper dismission.”
Morgan with his inexperienced troops set forth on a daring plan. His troops would run at the first sense of battle, and his rifleman could not withstand a bayonet attack. Morgan mulled over the situation, and came up with the following solution. He would have the swollen Broad River behind them, making any sort of retreat impossible. He was determined to make his men stand and fights. He further arranged his battle lines, placing the militia out in front, followed by the battle tested Continental, with William Washington’s Cavalry in the flanks.
He tells the militia that all he requires of them is to fire two shots and they can fall back to the rear.