03/19/2026
AMERICAN MIRACLES – The fighting American Soldier, Sailor, Airman, Marine and Coastguardsman are miracles within themselves, but certain events in history have been miraculous turning points. Perhaps every war has them. Four are my favorites. In those days, divine providence was asked for and victories were credited to God. Given the events of these four battles, they are difficult to explain outside of miracles. In fact, the entire story of the Revolutionary War is replete with miracles. Logically and statistically, it should have never been possible but for Providence. Perhaps you have other instances of history you would like to share.
Battle of Cowpens – January 17, 1781 – Time the battle lasted: Less than an hour
British casualties: 968: 110 killed, 229 wounded and 629 captured or missing
American casualties: 149: 25 killed and 124 wounded
Result: Earlier, a stalemate in the North prompted the British to move to Savannah, using Loyalists to defeat the Colonists as the moved victoriously to the North. They captured Savannah but lost at King’s Mountain. Cowpens was to be a backbreaking victory for the British. After their defeat, Cornwallis was forced to retreat north. They won a very costly battle at Guilford Courthouse, NC and he continued to Yorktown where the British fleet was supposed to rescue the army. But, the French fleet finally arrived preventing Cornwallis’ rescue. A back up plan was to cross the York River in small boats, but a mysterious storm brewed up driving the small boats out to sea leaving Cornwallis at the mercy of Washington’s Army and the French.
San Jacinto, Texas (Not an American battle, but it became part of American history.) – April 21, 1836 – Time the battle lasted: 18 minutes
650 Mexicans killed, 208 wounded, 300 captured
11 Americans killed or fatally wounded and 30 30 wounded
Result: Sana Anna conceded tbout 268,596 square miles allowing the creation of the Republic of Texas which later became a state.
Battle of New Orleans – January 8, 1815 – Time the battle lasted: 30 minutes
British casualties: 2,037: 291 dead, 1,262 wounded and 484 missing or captured
American casualties: 71, 13dead, 39 wounded and 19 missing or captured
Result: The war had ended due to the Treaty of Ghent before the battle. But, the most powerful army in the world, one which had just crushed Napoleon at Waterloo planned to crush the ragtag American forces. That great army was opposed by some regular Army, Militia from Kentucky and Tennessee, townspeople who had never picked up a musket before, and Jean Lafitte who provided men, arms and powder. The Mulligan Stew mixture of defenders made the victory all the more amazing! The British had hoped the battle would split the U.S. by controlling the Mississippi. The battle established the U.S. as a military power and the catapulted Andrew Jackson into the White House.
Battle of Cowpens – January 17, 1781 – Time the battle lasted: Less than an hour
British casualties: 968: 110 killed, 229 wounded and 629 captured or missing
American casualties: 149: 25 killed and 124 wounded
Result: Earlier, a stalemate in the North prompted the British to move to Savannah, using Loyalists to defeat the Colonists as the moved victoriously to the North. They captured Savannah but lost at King’s Mountain. Cowpens was to be a backbreaking victory for the British. After their defeat, Cornwallis was forced to retreat north. They won a very costly battle at Guilford Courthouse, NC and he continued to Yorktown where the British fleet was supposed to rescue the army. But, the French fleet finally arrived preventing Cornwallis’ rescue. A back up plan was to cross the York River in small boats, but a mysterious storm brewed up driving the small boats out to sea leaving Cornwallis at the mercy of Washington’s Army and the French.
Battle of Midway: 4-7 June, 1942 – Time the battle lasted: 5 days, BUT only 6 hours elapsed between the 1st and 4th Japanese carrier was sunk. The goal was to knock the U.S. out of the war.
Japanese casualties: 3,057 KIA, 37 captured
4 fleet carriers sunk, 1 heavy cruiser sunk, 1 heavy cruiser damaged, 2 destroyers damaged, 248 aircraft destroyed.
American casualties: 307 KIA, 3 of those murdered as prisoners
1 fleet carrier sunk, 1 destroyer sunk, 150 aircraft lost
Result: The battle which was to be the climax, driving the Americans back to Hawaii or the west cost turned out to be the turning point of the Pacific theater. It enlivened the hearts of America which were earlier fearful spirits to one of hope and assurance. - CMH
