Berryville, VA — On a cold morning in Clarke County, members of the Virginia Society Sons of the American Revolution gathered to honor one of the most decisive turning points of the Southern Campaign: the Battle of Cowpens (South Carolina), fought on January 17, 1781. Hosted by the Col. James Wood II Chapter, the event combined hands‑on Color Guard training with a formal commemoration ceremony, blending education, remembrance, and living history.

The commemoration drew strong representation from across the Virginia Society. Among those present (photo, left to right) were Paul Christensen of the Col. James Wood II Chapter, Ken Morris of the George Mason Chapter, Paul McComb of the George Washington Chapter, Tom Hamill of the Culpeper Minutemen Chapter, and Paul Parish of the General Daniel Morgan Chapter, along with Michelle Phillips of the Park Horse Ford Chapter West Virginia NSDAR. Their participation added depth, fellowship, and a shared sense of purpose to the morning’s remembrance. The morning’s activities included the firing of flintlocks — a dramatic and fitting tribute to the tactics and tenacity of the Patriot forces at Cowpens.