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Medal Name: Victory of the Cowpens
Struck for: Lieutenant-Colonel John Eager Howard
Approval: Act of Congress March 9, 1781
OBVERSE
JOH. (Johanni) EGAR. (sic) HOWARD LEGIONIS PEDITUM PRÆFECTO COMITIA AMERICANA.(The American Congress to John Eager Howard, commander of a regiment of infantry.)
Lieutenant-Colonel Howard, on horseback, is in pursuit of a foot-soldier of the enemy who is carrying away a standard.
A winged Victory hovers over him, holding in her right hand a crown of laurel, and in her left a palm branch.
REVERSE
Within a crown of laurel:
QUOD IN NUTANTEM HOSTIUM ACIEM SUBITO IRRUENS PRÆCLARUMBELLICÆ VIRTUTIS SPECIMEN DEDIT IN PUGNA AD COWPENS XVII. JAN. (Januarii) MDCCLXXXI. (Because by rushing suddenly on the wavering lines of the enemy, he gave a brilliant example of martial courage at the battle of the Cowpens, January 17, 1781).
BACKGROUND
John Eager Howard was born in Baltimore County, Maryland, June 4, 1752. On the breaking out of the Revolution he was appointed captain, and took part in the battle of White Plains. He was promoted to the rank of major in 1777, and fought at Germantown and Monmouth. He became lieutenant-colonel of the 5th Maryland regiment of infantry in 1779, and served in the South under Generals Gates, Greene, and Morgan, taking a brilliant part inevery engagement. At the victory of the Cowpens he held in his hands at one time the swords of seven British officers who had surrendered to him. For his services in this battle Congress awarded him a silver medal. He was colonel of the 2d Maryland regiment at Eutaw Springs. At the close of the war he retired to Baltimore, and was governor of Maryland, 1789-1792, and United States senator, 1796-1803 When a war with France was expected in1797, he was selected by General Washington for one of his brigadier-generals. He organized the defence of Baltimore in 1814, and died in that city, October 12, 1827.
Resolutions of Congress Voting Medals to General Morgan and to Lieutenant-Colonels Washington and Howard, etc.
By the United States in Congress Assembled.
Considering it as a tribute due to distinguished merit to give a public approbation of the conduct of Brigadier-General Morgan, and of the officers and men under his command, on the 17th day of January last,when with 80 cavalry and 237 infantry of the troops of the United States, and 553 militia from the States of Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia, he obtained a complete and important victory over a select and well appointed detachment of more than 1,100 British troops commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Tarleton; do therefore resolve:—
That the thanks of the United States in Congress assembled be given to Brigadier-General Morgan, and the officers and men under his command, for their fortitude and good conduct displayed in the action at the Cowpens, in the State of South Carolina, on the 17th day of January last:
That a medal of gold be presented to Brigadier-General Morgan, and a medal of silver to Lieutenant-Colonel Washington (William), of the cavalry, and one of silver to Lieutenant-Colonel Howard, of the infantry of the United States; severally with emblems and mottoes descriptive of the conduct of those officers respectively on that memorable day:
That a sword be presented to Colonel Pickens, of the militia, in testimony of his spirited conduct in the action before mentioned:
That Captain Edward Giles, aid-de-camp of Brigadier-General Morgan, have the brevet commission of major; and that Baron de Glasbuch, who served with Brigadier-General Morgan as a volunteer, have the brevet commission of captain in the army of the United States; in consideration of their merit and services.
Ordered, That the commanding officer in the southern department communicate these resolutions in general orders.
Friday, March 9, 1781.
Source: The Medallic History of the United States of America 1776-1876 by J. F. Loubat, LL.D. (1878)