A wooden replica of the Cowpens flag was recently added to PatriotWood.com. This Revolutionary War–era flag is said to have been flown during the 1781 Battle of Cowpens, an important victory for the American forces—let’s take a look at its design and story.
The Cowpens flag—also known as the third Maryland flag—was likely created during the United States’ Revolutionary War, and followed the design standards developed in the United States’ Flag Resolution of 1777. It featured alternating red and white stripes and a canton of white stars on a blue field. 12 of the stars were arranged in an outer circle, and a 13th was placed in the center.
This flag is often confused with the well-known Betsy Ross flag, and for good reason. Their designs are strikingly similar, with one notable difference: while the Cowpens flag incorporates a central star, all 13 stars on the Betsy Ross flag are arranged in a single circle.
It’s said that the Cowpens flag was flown during the Battle of Cowpens, an important Revolutionary War victory for the Continental Army. This battle was a turning point in the campaign to regain South Carolina from the British. It’s marked by superior tactics and leadership from American general Daniel Morgan, who gained a complete and decisive victory with a small force comprised almost entirely of militia. In the words of John Marshall, “Seldom has a battle, in which greater numbers were not engaged, been so important in its consequences as that of Cowpens.”
This battle’s significance in the Revolutionary War is one of the reasons behind the Cowpens flag’s popularity.
The Cowpens flag is also included in the famous The Spirit of ’76 painting by artist Archibald MacNeal Willard.
Patriot Wood’s Cowpens Wood Flag is handmade in the United States. The hand-picked cedar wood, long-lasting paints, and quality hardware will ensure you can enjoy it for years to come. This wood flag also includes a 3-D element: the white stars are elevated, making it stand out from two-dimensional flags.
Head to PatriotWood.com to get your Cowpens Wood Flag today!
