wounded and taken prisoner. Besides these, our army had to lament the loss of many excellent officers. The field of battle, the road and the swamps for some distance, were covered with the wounded and slain. The Delaware regiment was literally cut to pieces, less than two companies being left; and more than a third of the continentals were killed and wounded. Dixon's North Carolina regiment, which deserves the more praise as being the only one out of two brigades that stood the fight, suffered also very severely, having lost nearly 100 killed and wounded, and more than 300 taken. The whole of our artillery, nearly 200 wagons, a large quantity of military stores and baggage, fell into the hands of the enemy. The British state their loss in killed and wounded, including 11 missing, to be no more than 324; but it is probable, from the extreme severity of the action, and the brave stand of our troops on the side of Lord Rawdon, that they have estimated it considerably below the reality.

Complete as was the defeat and dispersion of our army, the Maryland and Delaware troops gained imperishable laurels for their conduct. General Gist, Colonel Otho H. Williams, the Deputy Adjutant General, Lieutenant Colonel John E. Howard, all of Maryland, and Captain Kirkwood, almost the only officer left of the Delaware regiment, were eminently conspicuous throughout the action, for the cool and determined bravery, zeal and skill, which they displayed. Nor is it possible to withhold from Colonel Dixon the most unqualified applause.

In the meantime, General Sumpter, having been joined by the detachment under Lieutenant Colonel Woolford, completely succeeded in his attempt

against the British convoy, and learning soon afterwards the defeat of Gates, took post at the Catawba Fords where he supposed himself secure. Cornwallis, however, had received information of his movements and situation, and immediately after the battle of the 16th, he detached Colonel Tarleton with 380 of his legion, who overtook and effectually surprised Sumpter, who on the morning of the 18th, had changed his position, and advanced about eight miles beyond Fishing Creek, where he halted and imprudently suffered his men to stack their arms, and indulge themselves in amusement or repose. Tarleton came up with him in this unguarded situation about noon; and the consequence, as might have been looked for, was an indiscriminate slaughter and rout, 150 of Sumpter's men were killed on the spot, and 300 taken prisoners; he himself fortunately escaped with the remnant of his force to the amount of 350 men. Two brass pieces were left on the field, all the British prisoners, and a number of wagons. It is worthy of remark, that Tarleton performed this exploit with only half the force he had set out with, having left the other half on the road too much exhausted and fatigued, to proceed with the rash celerity and impetuosity which characterised all his movements. Nothing but the improvidence of General Sumpter, upon which he had certainly no right to calculate, could have saved Tarleton from the fate which such temerity deserved.

General Gates, Smallwood and Gist, with the small shattered remnants of their regulars, had arrived on the 17th and 18th, at Charlotte, eighty miles from the scene of action. Here Armand's flying cavalry had halted, and besides these, Major Davie was es

tablished here with his partizan corps of horse, and about 100 regular infantry. On the 19th, they heard of Sumpter's defeat, and it was deemed adviseable by a council of officers to make a further retreat to Salisbury, which was effected under an accumulation of wretchedness and suffering never exceeded. Smallwood commanded the retreat to Salisbury, where he had halted only a few days before he received orders from General Gates to continue his march to Hillsborough, at which place this wretched army arrived on the 6th of September. At this place, being 180 miles distant from Camden, General Gates determined to collect his scattered forces, and wait such reinforcements as should enable him again to face his adversary. Thus was the conqueror of Burgoyne, whose appearance in the south was hailed with universal gratulations, and who fancied that his name alone, would compel Cornwallis to hide his head in terrour, who pressed on, regardless alike of the strength or comforts of his army, in the false expectation of driving the enemy before him without resistance, most cruelly disappointed-his army, elate with the hopes of victory under his guidance, cut to piecesthe friends of liberty, who had every where raised their drooping heads at his approach, sunk in utter despair. Military reputation is even a more delicate commodity than female chastity. It is often acquired without merit, and as often lost without justice: a breath gives it, and a whisper takes it away. That the conduct of General Gates previous to the fatal battle of the 16th, was full of blame, will hardly be denied. He trusted too much to himself, and too easily spurned the advice of those who merited his attention; but here the blame stops, his conduct in

the battle was worthy the hero of Saratoga, and his efforts to retrieve his original errours were unceasing; but it was too late, and hard as was his fate in the result, it was perhaps not worse than his unadvised rashness merited. This defeat was the death-blow to the confidence which the people of the south had reposed in General Gates, and measures were immediately taken by those who had not lost all bopes of recovering their conquered country, to represent their wishes to Congress and the commander in Chief for his removal from the command. For the present, however, we must leave the General and his crippled army at Hillsborough, and attend to the affairs of the north.

CHAPTER XIV.

Events of 1780 continued.-Proceedings of Congress-their reply to the communications of the French minister.—Second communication from the Minister.-Congress resolve to issue a new species of paper bills.-They fix the value of loan certificates.Situation of the American army at Morristown-Their distresses relieved by the people of Jersey Severity of the winter-Lord Stirling makes an unsuccesssful attempt on Staten Island Mutiny in the American army.-Expedition of the royal army into Jersey-Destruction committed at Connecticut Farms-Murder of Mrs. Caldwell. The enemy move towards Springfield-but retire to Elizabeth Town without an attack.— Sir Henry Clinton arrives from Charleston, sends over reinforcements, and the army a second time move upon Springfield, which they destroy-Brave conduct of the American troops The enemy evacuate New-Jersey, and return to Staten IslandArrival of the Count De Rochambeau, and a French fleet at Newport.-Joy of the citizens.-Washington orders the white and black cockade to be united.-Admiral Graves arrives at New-York with reinforcements to the fleet and army.The enemy project an attack against Rhode Island.-General Wayne is detached to Bergen Neck-Washington's situation at Orange town-his letters to Governour Reed-Treachery of Arnold.— Capture, trial and execution of Major Andre, a British spyArnold arrives at New-York, and recieves the reward of his treachery.-Makes an insolent address to the Americans.-Resolution of Congress in favour of the three New-York militia men-Proposition of Washington for an exchange of prisoners Congress resolve to erect a monument to the memory of the Baron de Kalb-Sir Henry Clinton sends reinforcements to the south-Congress order a Court Martial on General Gates-General Greene appointed to the command of the south. -Death of the Chevalier de Ternay.

AFTER What we have seen, the following answer of Congress to the communications of the Chevalier