On January 17, 1781, the Continental Army fought the British near Cowpens, South Carolina. They used the only double envelopment of the war to claim an important victory in what’s considered the turning point in the battle for South Carolina. The Continental Army suffered a string of defeats in South Carolina in 1780, leaving the British in control of most of the colony. Nathanael Greene was made commander of the Southern Department in October. Brigadier General Daniel Morgan reported for duty that December. Morgan had participated in the siege of Boston, the Battle of Quebec, and his riflemen (known as Morgan’s Riflemen) had helped the Continental Army win its victory at Saratoga.