1780.

General Greene perceiving that he could not bring provifions to his army from any distance, refolved 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 Peedee afforded the nearest fupply; and what was a confiderable inducement to repair thither, the canebrakes in that part of the country afforded good pasturage for the horses. The only difficulty was, that the fituation proposed to be taken was more diftant 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 fuch a manœuvre. Such was his dilemma, that he must either relinquish a confiderable part of the country, or divide his finall force fo as to render each part too inconfiderable for the defence of it. He faw the danger of feparating his force, but was obliged to fubmit to neceffity. Brigadier general 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, 170 Virginia riflemen under major Triplett, and about 70 light dragoons under lieut. col. Washington. The light troops were detached to the weftward of the Wateree into South Carolina, to watch the motions of the enemy at Wynfborough and Camden, and to shift for themselves. They took their position in the western extremity of the state on the 25th of December.

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

General Greene with the remainder of his army, confifting 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, and arrived at Hicks's Creek on the east fide of the Peedee on the 26th, where he remained for fome time. Here the fpirit 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, deftroyed and killed each other, wherever they met, with as much relentless fury as beafts of prey. He regretted, that most people appeared to be in purfuit of revenge, private gain, or perfonal glory *.

Morgan on the 27th detached Washington with his dragoons, and about 200 militia, who marched 40 miles on the 28th, and the next day furprised a body of tories in Ninety Six, about 150 of whom were killed and wounded, and 40 made prifoners, and a number of horfes taken, without any lofs on the part of the Americans. Major M'Dowal, with 190 North Carolina 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

General Greene's letters,

1780.

Dec.

26.

1781. to adhere to the American cause. On the 8th of January Greene fent word to Morgan, that the enemy had a movement in contemplation; and eleven days after, forwarded fome advice which will foon be mentioned.

Jan.

12.

Greene had in camp at Hicks's Creek, 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 confifted of about one hundred horfemen well mounted, and one hundred and twenty infantry. On the 13th the legion was detached on a fecret expedition. To take off the attention of the enemy and favor the enterprife, major Anderfon was fent with a small command down the Peedee. Lee pushed on for George-town, which he furprised the 24th at night. Lieut. col. Campbell was taken in his quarters and paroled; feveral other officers alfo were made prifoners and paroled. Major Irwin and a number more of the garrifon were killed; but the principal part fled to the fort, which Lee was not in a condition to befiege. While this enterprife was carrying on, the enemy aimed a blow at Morgan. Greene before he heard of Morgan's fuccefs, wrote to him on the 19th of January— "The Peedee rofe 25 feet the last week in 30 hours. Put nothing to the hazard. A retreat may be difagreeable, but is not difgraceful. Regard not the opinion of the day. It is not our bufinefs to rifk too much."

General Leslie in compliance with his orders, left Virginia, and arrived at Charlestown 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 difficulty. On

the

the 11th of January his lordship advanced toward North 178* Carolina. He wished to drive gen. Morgan from his station, and to deter the inhabitants from joining him. The execution of this bufinefs was intrufted to lieut. col. Tarleton; who was detached with the light and legion infantry, the fufileers, the first battalion of the 71ft regiment, about 350 cavalry, two field pieces, and an adequate proportion of men from the royal artillery, upward of a 1100 in the whole. This detachment, after a progrefs of fome 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 purfuit recommenced by two o'clock the next morning, and was rapidly continued 17. through marshes and broken grounds till day light, when the Americans were discovered in front. Two of their videttes were taken foon after, who gave information that Morgan had halted and prepared for action, at a place called the Cowpens, near Pacolet river. The British, beside their field pieces, had the fuperiority in infantry, in the proportion of five to four, and in cavalry of more than three to one. Befide, nearly two thirds of the troops under Morgan were militia. Morgan had obtained early intelligence of Tarleton's force and advances; and had drawn up his men in two lines. The whole of the North and South Carolina militia prefent was put under the command of col. Pickens, and formed the first line; which was advanced a few hundred yards before the fecond, with orders to form on the right of the second when forced to retire. The fecond line confifted of the light infantry under lieut. col. Howard, and the Virginia riflemen. Lieut. col. Washington, VOL. IV,

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1781. with his cavalry, and about forty-five militiamen, mounted and equipped with fwords, under lieut. col. M'Call, were drawn up at fome diftance in the rear of the whole. The open wood in which they were formed, was neither fecured in front, flank or rear. Without the delay. of a single moment, and in despite of extreme fatigue, the light legion infantry and fufileers were ordered to form in line. Before the order was executed, and while major Newmarsh, who commanded the latter corps, was pofting 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 inceffant fire of musketry. Col. Pickens directed the militia not to fire till the British were within forty or fifty yards. This order, though executed with great firmness and fuccefs, was not fufficient to repel the enemy. The American militia gave way on all quarters. The British advanced rapidly, and engaged the fecond line. The continentals, after an obftinate conflict, were compelled to retreat to the cavalry. Col. Ogilvie, with his troop of forty 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 fire, and charged at the fame time by Washington's dragoons, was forced to retreat in confufion. 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 improve the advantage gained over the continentals; and Tarleton's legion cavalry ftanding aloof inftead of advancing, lieut. col. Howard feized the favorable opportunity, rallied the continentals, and charged with fixed bayonets, nearly at

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