Another family tale was that Horatio Gates was a fool but very political, tried to take credit for Kings Mountain when he was nowhere to be found and had nothing to do with it at all, that he was the source of scurrilous tales of “atrocities” committed upon British and Tory prisoners from Kings Mountain being taken to the stockade at Bethabara (Moravian Old Town) for holding, then on to Hillsborough for trial. Intentionally smeared their reputation. Admittedly it was a rough bunch with a grudge, looking to even the score as you say. But, Cleveland and Winston were good commanders, they did not allow any such thing and did not deserve that kind of dishonorable talk, nor did the regulars and dragoons.
Gates was not only a fool, but a coward as well. In the battle of Camden, his hdqtrs was 30 miles in the rear. How could he direct a battle when he couldn’t even see or hear it? He had been appointed to head the army of the south because the politicians considered Saratoga as his credentials. Washington wanted Nathaniel Green, but the politicians won. After the destruction of the southern army at Camden, Geo. Washington got his way and Green was sent south to do what he could to rebuild the army.Morgan played a huge part by his skirmishes and hit and run until Tarleton was sent by Cornwallis to wipe him out. The battle of Cowpens was a masterful combination of Les Ruses de Guerre and great use of the men and of the terrain. Morgan all but wiped out Tarleton’s force and Tarleton himself barely got away with his skin intact. It was HE turning point of the war, IMO.