Morgan had been a militiaman himself and understood their strengths and weaknesses. They were expert marksmen with the ability to reload rapidly, but they had no willingness to stand firm in an orthodox line of battle in the face of Redcoats with bayonets. He placed his 600 regular troops in formal battle array and then amazed James Jackson and the other officers by ordering 300 Georgia and Carolina militiamen to take positions one hundred yards in front, and another 120 of the finest marksmen even farther forward, to be the first to face Tarleton’s dragoons. He gave all the militiamen one order: to “fire twice at officers and sergeants when they are within range, then fall back behind the other troops and remain as reserves.” Morgan wanted them to know in advance that they would not be expected to face a bayonet charge.

Lieutenant Ethan Pratt was in the second line, with Jackson in command of about half the Georgia and Carolina militiamen. The others of their force were seventy-five yards in front of them. They watched as General Morgan rode the front two battle lines in the frigid early morning of January 17, beginning with the militia, who would see the first action within the next hour. To the men he shouted, “Let me see which are most entitled to the credit of brave men, the boys of Carolina or those of Georgia.” Then he rode back and exhorted the regular troops to live up to their reputations for courage.

Tarleton attacked; his cavalry charge paused and withdrew temporarily when they met a strong volley from the forward militia as they came into range. Then the British infantry formed a battle line and advanced, firing their muskets with little effect. Their main desire was to make a bayonet charge, which wavered as the Georgia and Carolina riflemen in the front rank fired their second round and began an orderly withdrawal. The British suffered a substantial loss, but thought the American ranks were dissolving and drove forward, only to be met by rifle fire from Ethan and the others in the second rank. They quickly reloaded, fired again at the confused Redcoats, and withdrew. Tarleton’s men then launched a more concerted charge forward, permitting Colonel Washington to begin firing at their exposed flank. The British broke their lines and rushed forward, to be faced by patriots who were standing their ground with discipline and complete effectiveness. The Redcoats broke and ran through the woods to safety, while some of Tarleton’s reserve cavalry refused to obey his orders to attack. Georgia militia under James Jackson now joined the Continentals to face some heroic Scottish Highlanders, who fought until their plight was hopeless.