It happend January 17, 1781, and it was located in Cowpens in South Carolina. It was important because it helped turn the tide of the war in the south. The two commanders of the battle were Banastre Tarleton and Daniel Morgan. The battle started because of Major Gen. One of the commanders sent a 1,000 man force under Brigadier Gen. Charles Cornwallis sent Col. Banastre Tarleton and 1,000 soldiers in Pursuit, the two forces met in battle at pastureland called Cowpens.