the least likely to effect their salvation.* By the genuine returns on the 8th of December, it appears, that the infantry then serving under Greene were, rank and file, present and fit for duty, 1482, and on command, 547, in all, 2029; of these 821 were continentals, and 1203 militia. Add to these 90 cavalry, 60 artillery, and 128 continentals on extra service, and his whole operative force was 2307. The fewness of his troops, the nature of the country, filled with woods and swamps, and thinly inhabited, the toryism of numbers, and the want of magazines, led the general to conclude on a partizan war. He considered the maxims of European generals, but was far from confining himself to them; for he obsered that however they might suit that part of the world, they were not adapted to the place where he was to act, only in certain circumstances, to which, when they occurred, he meant to be attentive. On his arrival at camp he learned that the troops had made a practice of going home without permission, staying weeks and then returning. Determined to stop such a dangerous custom, the general gave out that he would make an example of the first deserter of the kind he caught; and one was accordingly shot at the head of the army drawn up to be spectators of the punishment. At night he sent officers round the camp to listen to the talk of the soldiers, and was happy to find that the measure had taken its desired effect, and that the language of the men was only "We must not do as we have been used to; it is new lords new laws." But it was a mortification to him to learn from another quarter, that by the folly or treachery of those who had the charge of the prisoners taken at King's Mountain, all except about 130 had been enlarged upon different conditions, by which he lost upwards of 600 men, who would have been of the utmost importance in an exchange with lord Cornwallis. His lordship on the 1st of December addressed to him the following note-I think it proper to represent to you, that the officers and men taken at King's Mountain were treated with an inhumanity scarcely credible. I find myself under the disagreeable necessity of making some retaliation for those unhappy men, who were so cruelly and unjustly put to death at Gilbert-town." Gen. Greene answered to it on the 17th [December]--"I am too much a stranger to the transactions at Gilbert-town to reply fully on that subject. They must have been committed before my arrival in the department, and by persons under the character of volunteers, who were independent of the army. However, if there was any thing done in that affair contrary to the principles of humanity and the law of nations, and for which they had not the conduct of your army as a precedent, I shall be ever ready to testify my dis* The general's own letters.

approbation

approbation of it.-The first example was furnished on your -part, as appears by the list of unhappy sufferers inclosed; and it might have been expected, that the friends of the unfortunate should follow it.-Funishing capitally for a breach of military parole is a severity, that the principles of modern war will not authorise, unless the inhabitants are to be treated as a conquer ed people, and subject to all the rigor of military government→→ The feelings of mankind will for ever decide when the rights of humanity are invaded. I leave them to judge of the tendency of your lordship's order to lieut. col. Balfour after the action near Camden, of Lord Rawdon's proclamation, and of Tarleton's laying waste the country and distressing the inhabitants, who were taught to expect protection and security if they ob served but a neutrality.--Sending the inhabitants of Charles ton to St. Augustine, contrary to the articles of capitulation is a violation which I have also to represent, and which I hope your lordship will think yourself bound to redress." The list referred to was this William Stroud and Mr. Dowell, executed near Rocky Mount without a trial, by order of lieut. col Turnbull.-Richard Tucker, Samuel Andrews and John Miles, hanged in Camden by order of Lord Cornwallis-Mr. Johnson, hanged since the action of Black-Stocks, by lieut. col. Tarleton About thirty persons hanged at Augusta by col. Brown. Adam Cusack hanged at Pedee by col. Mills

his

Gen. Greene perceiving that he could not bring provisions to army from any distance, resolved to march his army to the provisions. The country about Charlotte, and from thence to Camden, was exhausted, having been long the scene of military operations. The river Pedee afforded the nearest supply; and what was a considerable inducement to repair thither, the cane. breaks in that part of the country afforded good pasturage for the horses. The only difficulty was, that the situation proposed to be taken was more distant from the enemy than Charlotte; and the general hesitated about making his first motion retrograde. The confidence of the enemy, the diffidence of his troops, and the despair of the people, might all be excited by such a manoeu vre. Such was his dilemma, that he must either relinquish a con siderable part of the country, or divide his small force so as to render each part too inconsiderable for the defence of it. He saw the danger of separating his force, but was obliged to submit to necessity. Brigadier gen. Morgan, who was invested with the command of the light troops by gen. Gates, was continued in that command by Greene; and the corps was completed by fresh draughts from the line, to 300 infantry under lieut. col.

Howard,

Howard, 170 Virginia riflemen under maj. Triplet, and about 70 light-dragoons under lieut. col. Washington. The light troops watch detached to the westward of the Wateree into SouthCarolinia, to watch the motions of the enemy at Wynsborough and Camden, and to shift for themselves. They took their position on the western extremity of the state on the 25th of December.

The command of the North-Carolinia, militia devolved on brigadier Davidson, brigadier Smallwood having obtained leave to go home. Gen. Marion was engaged in stimulating his countrymen in the lower parts of South-Carolinia; in keeping the tories in awe; in watching the enemy at their posts of Charleston, George-town and neighboring places and in gaining intelligence.

Gen. Greene, with the remainder of his army, consisting of the continental brigade under col. O. Williams, and the Virginia militia brigade under gen. Stevens, with the artillery and a very few horse, marched from Charlotte on the 20th of Dec. and arrived at Hicks's Creek.on the east side of the Pedee on the 26th, where he remained for some time. Here the spirit of plundering which prevailed among the inhabitants added much to his difficulties. The whole country was in danger of being laid waste by the whigs and tories, who pursued, destroyed, and killed each other wherever they met, with as much relentless fury as beasts of prey. He regretted, that most people appear to be in pursuit of revenge, private gain, or personal glory.*

Morgan on the 27th detached Washington with his dragoons, and about 200 militia, who marched 40 miless on the 28th, and the next day surprised a body of tories in Ninety-Six, about 150 of whom were killed and wounded, and 40 made prisoners, and a number of horses taken, without any loss on the part of the Americans. Maj. M'Dowal, with 190 North-Carolinia militia, and col. Pickens with about 70 South, joined the light troops. Pickens had lately escaped from captivity in Ninety-Six, where his great worth and popularity influenced many to adhere to the American cause. On the 8th of January Greene sent word to Morgan, that the enemy had a movement in contemplation; and eleven days after, forwarded some advice which will soon be mentioned.

Greene had in camp at Hick's-Creek, [Jan. 12.] present and fit for duty, 650 continentals, a detachment of 303 Virginia troops, and 157 Maryland state troops, in all 1110. The next day col. Lee's partizan legion arrived from the northward. The corps.

Gen. Greene's letters.

consisted

consisted of about one hundred horsemen, well mounted, and one hundred and twenty infantry. On the 13th the legion was detached on a secret expedition. To take off the attention of the enemy and favor the enterprise, major Anderson was sent with a small command down the Pedee. Lee pushed on for George. town, which he surprised the 24th at night. Lieut. col. Campbell was taken in his quarters and paroled; several other officers also were made prisoners and paroled. Major Irwin and a number more of the garrison were killed; but the principal part fled to the fort, which Lee was not in a condition to besiege. While this enterprise was carrying on, the enemy aimed a blow at Mor gan. Greene, before he heard of Morgan's: success, wrote to him on the 19th of January-"The Pedee rose 25 feet the last week in 30 hours. Put nothing to the hazard. A retreat may be disagreeable, but is not disgraceful. Rugard not the opinion of the day. It is not our business to risk too much."

Gen. Leslie, in compliance with his orders, left Virginia and arrived at Charleston with his troops on the 13th of December; on the 19th he began his march up the country, with about 1530 men, to join lord Cornwallis, which was effected without diffculty. On the 11th of January his lordship advanced toward North-Carolina. He wished to drive gen. Morgan from his station and to deter the inhabitants from joining him. The execution of this business was entrusted to lieut. col. Tarleton, who was detached with the light and legion infantry, the fusileers, the first battalion of the 71st regiment, about 350 cavalry, two fieldpieces, and an adequate proportion of men from the royal artillery, upward of 1100 in the whole. This detachment, after a progress of some days by fatiguing marches, at about ten o'clock on the evening of the 16th of January, reached the ground which Morgan had quitted but a few hours before. The pursuit recommenced by two o'clock the next morning, and was rapidly continued through marshes and broken grounds til day-light, when the Americans were discovered in front. Two of their videttes were taken soon after, who gave information that Morgan had halted and prepared for action at a place called the Cowpens, near Pacolet river. The British, beside then-field-pieces, nad the superiority in infantry, in the proportion of five to four, and in cavalry, of more than three to one. Beside nearly two-thirds of the troops under Morgan were militia. Morgan had obtained early intelligence of Tarletons force and advance, and had drawn up his men in two lines. The whole of the North and South-Carolina militia present, was put under the command of col. Pickens, and formed the first line, which was advanced a few hundred yards

before

before the second, with orders to form on the right of the second when forced to retire. The second line consisted of the lightinfantry under lieut. col. Howard, and the Virginia riflemen. Lieut. col. Washington, with his cavalry, and about 45 militiamen, mounted and equipped with swords, under lieut. col. M'Call, were drawn up at some distance in the rear of the whole. The open wood in which they were formed, was neither secured in front, flank or rear. Without the delay of a single moment, and in despite of extreme fatigue, the light-infantry, legion and fusiJeers were ordered to form in line. Before the order was executed, and while major Newmarsh, who commanded the latter corps, was posting his officers, the line, though far from complete, was led to the attack by Tarleton himself. The British advanced with a shout, and poured in an incessant fire of musketry. Col. Pickens directed the militia not to fire till the British were within 40 or 50 yards. This order, though executed with great firmness and success, was not sufficient to repel the enemy. The American militia gave way on all quarters. The British advanced rapidly, and engaged the second line. The continentals, after an obstinate conflict, were compelled to retreat to the cavalry. Col. Ogilvie, with his troop of 40 men, had been ordered to charge the right flank of the Americans, and was engaged in cutting down the militia; but being exposed to a heavy Are, and charged at the same time by Washington's dragoons, was forced to retreat in confusion. A great number of the British infantry officers had already fallen, and nearly a proportionable one of privates. The remainder, being too few and too much fatigued, could not iniprove the advantage gained over the continentals; and Tarleton's legion cavalry standing aloof instead of advancing, lieut. col. Howard seized the favorable opportunity, rallied the continentals, and charged with fixed bayonets, nearly at the same moment when Washington made his successful attack. The example was instantly followed by the militia. Nothing could exceed the astonishment of the British, occasioned by these unexpected charges, Their advance fell back, and communicated a panic to others, which soon became general. Two hundred and fifty horse, which had not been engaged, fed through the woods with the utmost precipitation, bearing down such officers as opposed their flight; and the cannon were soon seized by the Americans, the detachment from the train being either killed or wounded in their defence. The greatest confusion now followed among the infantry. In the moment of it lieut. col. Howard called to them to lay downL their arms, and promised them good quarters. Some hundreds accepted the offer and surrendered. The first bettalion of the VOL. III.

T

71st