The battle had lasted about one hour

From The Road to Guilford Courthouse by John Buchanan. Page 326.

Banastre Tarleton to his credit gave it one more try. The British regulars of the 17th Light Dragoons, now numbering forty horsemen, had not fled the field. With them and fourteen officers, most from the Legion horse, Tarleton charged in an attempt to recover the artillery. He never got close, colliding instead with Washington’s cavalry, which repulsed him. Washington spotted Tarleton and ordered a charge, but few of his men heard him and those who followed were left well behind as Washington spurred his mount toward the man who had twice humiliated him. The fearless Virginian was well in advance of his troopers when Tarleton and a few of his officers, riding in the rear of their small party, wheeled their horses and engaged Washington in a wild, swirling clash of horses and men that can probably be timed in seconds. A British officer and Washington swung their sabers at each other and Washington’s broke at the hilt. His foe raised his saber to finish the job, but Washington’s young black body servant rode up, leveled his pistol, and shot the officer through the shoulder of his sword arm. An officer to the left swung his saber at Washington, but Washington was saved by Sergeant Major Perry, who rode up just in time to parry it. Tarleton charged Washington and slashed with his saber but Washington managed to deflect the blade with the hilt of his broken sword. Tarleton pulled his pistol and fired, missing Washington but wounding his horse. Banastre Tarleton then wheeled and galloped after his fleeing men. He had probably fired the final shot of Cowpens. It was 8:00 A.M. The battle had lasted about one hour.