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in camp at Charlotte； he received the news that Col。 Washington had taken
Rugely and one hundred men； by the well known stratagem of mounting a
pine log over against his block house； which he mistook for a field piece。*
Gen。 Greene had not only no more than one thousand continentals and
about as many militia； but was also bare of ammunition and clothing； and
had no money to pay them。 With this force he marched down to Pedee； in
South Carolina； and took a position near Hick's creek； on the east side of
the river； not many miles from Chatham。 From this place his first despatch
to Gen。 Marion is dated； the 19th Jan。 1781； in which he says； 〃by the last
accounts； Lieut。 Col。 Tarleton was in motion； with about one thousand
troops； towards Gen。 Morgan。〃 On the 23d Jan。 Gen。 Greene congratulates
Marion on Morgan's victory over Tarleton； and writes him the particulars。
On the 25th he says； 〃before this I hope you have received the agreeable
news of the defeat of Lieut。 Col。 Tarleton。 After this nothing will appear
difficult。〃
* This was the same Rugely who behaved so generously to
Governor Rutledge。 It seems Lord Cornwallis intended to have promoted
him； but after this affair he wrote to Tarleton； 〃Rugely will not be made a
brigadier。〃
As the defeat of Tarleton at the Cowpens has been related by many
American writers； whose works are generally read； the account of the
renowned chief himself； who was unexpectedly foiled； and which is now
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Life of Marion。
out of print； will be extracted for the amusement of the historical reader。
〃Near the end of the last year； （1780） information had been received by
Lord Cornwallis； that Gen。 Greene had made a division of his troops；
which did not exceed fourteen hundred men； exclusive of militia； and that
he had committed the light infantry and Col。 Washington's cavalry to Gen。
Morgan； with directions to pass the Catawba and Broad rivers； to collect
the militia； and threaten Ninety…Six。 It is not to be supposed Gen。 Greene
would have adopted the hazardous plan of dividing his forces； if he had
received information of Gen。 Leslie's command being withdrawn from
Virginia； and united to the force in South Carolina； because such an
accession of strength would produce a movement from Winnsborough
（where Cornwallis then lay；） and might separate the two divisions of the
American army； and endanger their safety。 To attain this object； （the
separation of the two divisions of the American army；） Col。 Tarleton was
now detached from the main army of Lord Cornwallis； and was to be
supported by his lordship； and Gen。 Leslie as soon as he arrived； with
orders to push Morgan to the utmost。 Tarleton's force was his corps of
cavalry and infantry of five hundred and fifty men； the first battalion of
the 71st； of two hundred men； two hundred men of the 7th regiment； new
recruits； and fifty dragoons of the 17th regiment total one thousand men。
Morgan retreated before Tarleton till the commanding officer in front of
the British reported the American troops were halted and forming。 （17th
Jan。） Lieut。 Col。 Tarleton； having obtained a position he certainly might
deem advantageous； did not hesitate to undertake the measures his
commander and his own judgment recommended。 He ordered the legion
dragoons to drive in the militia； that Morgan's disposition might be
inspected。 The American commander had formed a front line of about one
thousand militia； his reserve of five hundred continental infantry； one
hundred and twenty of Washington's cavalry； and three hundred back
woodsmen。 Tarleton ordered his infantry to disencumber themselves of
every thing except arms and ammunition； to file to the right； till they
became equal to the flank of the American front line； the legion infantry
were added to their left； and under the fire of a three pounder they were to
advance within three hundred yards of the enemy。 This situation being
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Life of Marion。
acquired； the 7th regiment was commanded to form on the left of the
legion infantry； and the other three pounder was given to its right。 A
captain with fifty dragoons； was placed on each flank。 The first battalion
of the 71st extended to the left of the 7th； one hundred and fifty yards in
the rear； and composed； with two hundred cavalry； the reserve。 The
animation of the officers and soldiers promised assurances of success。 The
troops moved in as good line as troops could move； at open files。 The
militia； after a short contest； were dislodged。 The British approached the
continentals； and the fire on both sides produced much slaughter。 The
cavalry on the right were ordered to charge the enemy's left； and executed
the order with great gallantry； but were driven back by the reserve and Col。
Washington's cavalry。 As the contest between the British infantry and
continentals was equally balanced； Tarleton brought the 71st into line； and
ordered a movement in reserve to threaten the enemy's right flank。 Upon
the advance of the 71st all the infantry again moved on； the continentals
and back woodsmen gave ground； the British rushed forwards； an order
was despatched to the cavalry to charge； an unexpected fire at this instant
from the Americans who came about； stopped the British and threw them
into confusion。 Exertions to make them advance were useless。 The part of
the cavalry which had not been engaged； fell likewise into disorder； and an
unaccountable panic extended along the whole line。 The Americans
advanced and augmented their astonishment。 A general flight ensued。
Neither promises nor threats could gain attention。 All attempts to restore
order； recollection or courage proved fruitless。 Two hundred dragoons
forsook their leader； fourteen officers and forty horsemen were； however；
not unmindful of their own reputation； or their commanding officer。 Col。
Washington's cavalry were charged and driven back into the continental
infantry by this handful of brave men。 Another par