Sal and Amanda Take Morgan's Victory March to the Battle of Cowpens by Mary Ann Solesbee Page A

that demonstrated the battle scene. She wanted to be sure her grandchildren understood the significance of the battle and appreciated the importance of the march they would begin the next day.
    When they came through the front door of the visitors’ center, the park ranger greeted them. “Hello, Mayor Henderson, so glad to have you here!”
    â€œChildren, this is Ranger William Snow. I taught him in third grade. These are my grands, Billy. I brought them to see the movie and get the feel of the battle before the march tomorrow. I think you have met Ben before, and this is our neighbor Jennifer. And this is Sam from Cheraw, Tonya from Columbia and Kara from Charleston.”
    â€œGlad to have all of you. You children make yourselves at home. Look around the gift shop. The movie will start again in ten minutes.”
    The girls all gathered around the colonial dolls sitting on the shelf. The boys looked at the small replicas of cannons and toy muskets.
    The book Sal and Amanda Visit Walnut Grove Plantation caught Jen’s eye. She hurried over to Ben and whispered, “Look at this! I didn’t know our little friends were in a book!”
    â€œWell, it seems like they get around!” Ben answered.
    A voice coming from his pocket whispered, “You can say that again!”
    Oh no , Ben thought, every time they show up I’m reminded that I’m on some sort of quest to free Daniel Morgan’s spirit . Ben had tried not to think about it, but here he was on the sacred ground of the battlefield, and he still didn’t know how to accomplish his mission.
    The children hurried into the movie theater, where they watched a grandfather telling his grandson about how he had fought in the battle. The actors were convincing as the grandfather told his grandson about how he had been in the militia from the area. The Patriots had all been willing to die to see Banastre Tarleton and his men brought down.
    When the movie was over, the children moved to the map room. Ranger Snow explained the battle plan. The children watched as blue lights lit across the map, indicating Patriot victories prior to the Battle of Cowpens.
    â€œWow, we were taking them down!” Sam said, excited to be seeing this exhibit firsthand.
    â€œShh! we’re listening,” Kara retorted.
    Ranger Snow continued, “General Nathanael Greene became the new commander of the Continental forces in the South in December 1780. He found the troops to be battered and disorganized, so he divided the army and sent Daniel Morgan and the most able part of the troops west ‘to give protection and spirit up the people.’”
    â€œThat Morgan was the man!” Sam spoke aloud again.
    Sal and Amanda, who had climbed under the seats, giggled.
    â€œWhat was that?” Sam asked.
    â€œNo clue!” Ben lied.
    Grammy looked sternly at the children as Ranger Snow continued, “Cornwallis answered Greene’s move by dividing his forces, too, sending Tarleton to cut off Morgan. Discovering that Tarleton was after him, Morgan retreated toward the Broad River. Morgan knew that Tarleton would catch him before he could reach Greene, so he decided to make a stand at the Cowpens.”
    Sam cheered, “Morgan rules!”
    Again, the twins giggled.
    â€œSam, you’re going to have to be quiet,” Grammy said with a stern look.
    â€œIt’s not all me. It must be Ben. I think he’s a ventriloquist!”
    â€œSam, one more word and you’ll be punished,” Grammy whispered.
    â€œOutnumbered by Tarleton two to one, Morgan needed the militia to even the odds. They came from North Carolina, Virginia and Georgia. Some of the finest sharpshooters were from the Upstate of South Carolina, called the Spartan militia,” Ranger Snow explained.
    â€œThat must be how Spartanburg got its name,” Jen whispered.
    Sal and Amanda nodded to each other. “That girl’s paying attention,” Amanda