TARLETON, BANASTRE
Tarleton, Banastre
(August 21, 1754–January 25, 1833)
English Army Officer
T
arleton was, un-
questionably, the
American Revolu-
tion’s most talented expo-
nent of mounted warfare.
This dashing figure came
to epitomize speed, deci-
sive action, and, more
often than not, victory.
However, his talents were
eclipsed by wanton cru-
elty, and Tarleton gained
infamy throughout the
South as “Bloody Ban.”
Banastre Tarleton was
born in Liverpool, En-
gland, on August 21, 1754,
the son of a prominent
politician. Educated in
private schools and Ox-
ford, he was lax in his
studies and displayed in-
finitely more interest in
gambling. Tarleton’s debts
were threatening to over-
whelm him when, in April
1775, his mother pur-
chased a cornet’s com-
mission in the King’s Dra-
goon Guards. Surprisingly, this listless wastrel
took immediately to military life, and after a
few months of service he volunteered to fight
in the American Revolution. In the spring of
1776 he sailed with the squadron of Adm. Sir
Peter Parkerto Charleston, South Carolina,
as part of reinforcements destined for Gen.
Henry Clinton. When the attack failed,
Tarleton accompanied Clinton back to New
York to serve under Gen. William Howe. He
was subsequently assigned to the 16th Light
Dragoons, one of two regular cavalry regiments
serving in America. On December 13, 1776,
Tarleton distinguished
himself in a raid upon
Basking Ridge that cap-
tured American Gen.
Charles Lee. After contin-
uous skirmishing and
outpost work, he rose to
regimental brigade major
in January 1777 and the
following year trans-
ferred to the 79th Regi-
ment of Foot as a captain.
Tarleton by this time had
acquired a reputation for
dash, effective reconnais-
sance, and decisive ac-
tion—all attributes of a
good cavalry leader. For
these reasons, he gained
a promotion to lieutenant
colonel of the newly
raised British Legion.
This was a mixed light
dragoon/light infantry
force, specializing in
scouting, quick move-
ment, and rapid deploy-
ment. It was distinct
among army units in that
the troops were clad in green uniforms and
recruited almost entirely from Loyalist Ameri-
cans. Furthermore, Tarleton’s aggressive of-
fensive spirit proved infectious to all ranks,
and he molded it into one of the best offen-
sive units on either side. So closely identified
did it become with its leader that the Legion
was more commonly known as Tarleton’s
Green Horse.
In December 1777, Tarleton’s Legion
shipped south as part of General Clinton’s ex-
pedition against Charleston. As the city was
besieged, he scoured the countryside to pre-Banastre Tarleton
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