guard in advance, which consisted of thirty-three men, including officers, with orders, in case of disaster, to move toward Augusta. When the guard heard the result of the engagement, they voluntarily surrendered themselves prisoners to those whom they had in captivity, upon a promise of their influence for pardon and permission to return home. This promise was complied with, upon condition that they would take the oath of allegiance to the American government.

After the action was ended, colonel Pickens went to colonel Boyd and tendered him any services which his present situation would authorize, and observed, that as his wounds appeared to be mortal, he would recommend those preparations which approaching death required: Boyd thanked him for his civilities, and enquired, what had been the result of the battle? upon being informed that victory was with the Americans; he observed, that it would have been otherwise if he had not fallen. He said, that he had marched from his rendezvous with eight hundred men; one hundred of that number was killed and wounded, or deserted at Savannah river; and that on the morning of the action, he had seven hundred men under his command. He had the promise of colonel Campbell, that M'Girth with five hundred more, should join him on Little river, about six miles from the field of battle, on that evening or the ensuing morning; he concluded by saying, that he had but a few hours to live, and requested

that colonel Pickens would leave two men with him to furnish him with water, and bury his bo. dy after he died; and that colonel Pickens would write a letter to Mrs. Boyd to inform her of his fate, and therewith send to her a few articles which he had about his person: he expired early in the night, and his requests of colonel Pickens were faithfully complied with.

Dispirited by the loss of their leader, and sore under the lashes of the Americans, the enemy fled from the scene of action; their army exploded, and some of the fragments fled to Florida, some to the Creek nation, some found their way to the Cherokees, some returned to their homes and submitted to the mercy of the American government, and the remnant under the command of colonel Moore, fled to Augusta, where they expected some repose from fatigue and defeat; about two hundred of the insurgents reached Augusta, who had little claim to merit or the respect of the British army, and were neglected and treated accordingly.

The parties of Boyd and M'Girth would have formed a junction in a few hours, if the Americans had not over-hauled the former: hearing of the fate of their friends, M'Girth and his party made a precipitate retreat to Augusta and rejoined the British troops under Campbell.

The insurgents taken at Kettle creek, were conveyed to South-Carolina and tried by laws of the state; found guilty of treason, and sentenced

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to suffer death: the sentence was executed on five of the most atrocious offenders, and the others were pardoned.

The Americans returned from the field of action, and encamped for the night near the place where the town of Washington now stands, and re-crossed the Savannah river on the 15th, near fort Charlotte.

In the several engagements at Carr's fort and Kettle creek, the Americans took as booty, about six hundred horses and their equipments, with a quantity of arms, accoutrements, and clothing.

Colonel Campbell had secured the submission of the eastern and many of the western inhabitants of Georgia, by the lures of peace and security persons and property, without being compelled to take up arms: this illusion was but of short duration.

of

Shortly after the action of Kettle creek, gene. ral Andrew Williamson, with a part of the militia of his brigade, and some of the Georgia militia, took a position near Augusta, on the Carolina side of the river. Colonel Leonard Marbury, with fifty dragoons of his regiment and some militia, took post near Brownsborough, in Richmond county. Colonel Twiggs, and lieutenant-colonel John M'Intosh, assembled some of the militia of Richmond county, and passing downward in the rear of the British, at Augusta, surprised one of their out-posts at Herbert's, consisting of seventy

men; killed and wounded several of the British reuglars and militia, and compelled the remainder to surrender.

A reconnoitering party of twenty of the king's rangers, under the command of captain Whitley, and lieutenants M'Kenzie, and Hall, was sent toward Brownsborough to ascertain if there was any American force assembling in that quarter. Colonel Marbury's spies gave him intelligence of Whitley's position and force. Marbury detached captain Cooper, with twelve dragoons, to gain Whitley's rear, while he advanced on his front, giving sufficient time for Cooper to get to the position assigned to him: Cooper gained the rear much sooner than was expected, and charged the enemy while at dinner; Whitley and his party were surprised, and surrendered without resistLieutenant Hall was a native of SouthCarolina, and had formerly been in the American service, commanded in a small fort on the frontier of that state, which he treacherously surrendered to the Cherokee Indians, by which the women and children, as well as the men who garrisoned the fort, fell a sacrifice under the knife and hatchet of the Indians. Hall was sent to the gaol at Ninety-six, and tried for treason, found guilty, and condemned to be hanged on the 17th of April. When at the gallows, he confessed his crime, and acknowledged the justice of his

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sentence.

CHAPTER VIII.

GENERAL John Ash, with a body of North-Carolina militia was advancing to re-enforce general Samuel Elbert, and about to form a junction. Colonel Campbell finding his position was unsafe, suddenly abandoned it and retreated to Hudson's ferry, about fifty miles from Savannah, where lieutenant-colonel Provost had constructed a fortified camp, and mounted some light artillery: he evacuated Augusta so precipitately, that he did not take time to destroy a considerable quantity of provisions which he had collected at that place.

General Ash passed the river at Augusta on the 28th of February, and pursued Campbell as far as Brier creek, where he halted and encamped. General Lincoln with three thousand men, was encamped at Purysburgh: general Rutherford, from North-Carolina, with seven hundred men, was encamped at Black swamp: general Williamson, with twelve hundred men, was encamped at Augusta and general Ash, with seventeen hundred men, was encamped at Brier creek; in a position the most completely calculated for the de struction of his army, of any which he could have selected, if the enemy should attack and defeat him; with a deep impassable creek on his left, the