SECTION XXXIV.

CAMPAIGN OF 1781 CONTINUED-DEFEAT OF LORD RAWDON, BY GENERAL GREENE.

At Wilmington, Lord Cornwallis made a halt for three days, for the purpose of giving his troops some rest; and at the end of that time, resolving to carry the war into Virginia, he marched to Petersburgh, an inland town of that province, situated on James river. Hither it was expected that he would have been followed by the enemy; but Greene being aware that his lordship had by this movement approahed nearer to the main army of the Americans, and confident that his motions would be closely watched by the Virginia militia, after mature consideraation adopted the bold measure of again penetrating into South Carolina. That province was in the military occupation of the British, who were, indeed, harassed by the partisan troops of Marion and Sumpter, but were in such apparent strength, that there was reason to fear that the republicans, if not aided by further support, would abandon the cause of their country in despair.* The British had

There were yet some citizens, who, in all fortunes, adhered with firmness to the cause of independence. Of these, in one part of the State, General Sumpter was the leader, in another, General Marion. The cavalry of the latter were so destitute of the weapons of war, that they were obliged to cut their swords from the saws of the saw mills. He was so successful in concealing himself in woods and marshes, that the enemy were never able to attack or discover him. From these dark retreats he often sallied forth, and fell unexpectedly upon parties of the enemy, when marching through the coun try, or posted in garrisons to overawe the inhabitants. In one of these sallies, he released one hundred and fifty continentals captured at Camden. His

What did Cornwallis resolve?

What measure did Greene adopt?

What was the state of affairs in South Carolina at this time?

formed chains of posts, which extending from the sea to the western extremity of the province, maintained a mutual communication by strong patrols and bodies of horse. The first of these lines of defence was established on the Wateree, on the banks of which river the British occupied the well-fortified town of Camden, and fort Watson, situated between that place and Charleston. The attack of the fort, Greene intrusted to Marion, who soon compelled its garrison to surrender on capitulation. In encountering Lord Rawdon, near Camden, Greene was not so fortunate. In consequence of the unsteadiness of a few of his troops, he was defeated, but moved off the ground in such good order that he saved his artillery, and though wounded, he took up a position, at the distance of about five miles from Camden, from which he sent out parties to intercept the supplies, of which he was apprised that his antagonist was in the utmost need. In consequence of the vigilance of Greene, in cutting off his resources, and of the loss of Fort Watson, which had been the link of his communication with Charleston, Lord Rawdon, after having in vain endeavored to bring on a second general engagement with the Americans, was reduced to the necessity of destroying a part of his baggage, and retreating to the south side of the river Santee. This retrograde movement encouraged the friends of Congress to resume their arms, and hasten to reinforce the corps of Marion, who speedily made him

repeated and successful excursions preserved alive the spirit of resistance, and his high fame as a partizan was never tarnished by any violation of the laws of war or humanity."

self master of the British posts on the Congaree, the garrisons of which were in general made prisoners, whilst those which escaped that fate by a timely evacuation of their positions, made good their retreat to the capital of the province. Savannah river now presented the last line of defence held by the British, who there possessed the town of Augusta and the post of Ninety-six. The former of those places was attacked by Lieutenant-Colonel Lee, and after a defence of unprecedented obstinacy on the part of its commander, Colonel Brown, it surrendered on honorable terms. The important post of Ninety-six, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Cruger, was strongly fortified, and defended by 500 men. On reconnoitering the place, General Greene, whose army was not much more numerous than the garrison, determined to besiege it in form. He accordingly broke ground on the 25th of May, and pushed his works with such vigor, that he had approached within six yards of the ditch, and had erected a mound thirty feet high, from which his riflemen poured their shot with fatal aim upon the opposite parapet of the enemy, who were hourly expected to beat a parley. But this bright prospect of success was at once overclouded by the arrival of intelligence that Lord Rawdon, having received reinforcements from Ireland, was hastening to the relief of his countrymen, at he head of 2000 men. In this extremity, Greene made a desperate effort to carry the place by assault, but was repulsed, and evacuating the works which he had constructed with so much labor, he retreated to the northward

Of what posts did Marion make himself master?

What were the possessions of the British now confined to?
Who took the town of Augusta?

What was the situation of the post of Ninety-six?

By whom was it attacked?

Describe the plan of the battle?

across the Saluda, from whence he was chased by Lord Rawdon beyond the Ennoree.

The feelings of the American commander on seeing the fruit of his toils thus suddenly and unexpectedly torn from his grasp, must have been of a most agonizing nature. But Greene was gifted with an elasticity of spirit which prevented him from yielding to the pressure of misfortune, and his opponents seldom found him more dangerous than immediately after suffering a defeat. On the present occasion, when some of his counsellors, in the moment of despondency, advised him to retreat into Virginia, he firmly replied, that he would save South Carolina, or perish in the attempt.' On maturely deliberating on the object of the campaign, and on the relative situation of himself and the enemy, he was well aware that though Lord Rawdon was superior to him in the number as well as the discipline of his troops; yet, if his lordship kept his army concentrated, he could afford no encouragement, or even protection, to the royalists, and that if it were divided, it might be beaten in detail. As he expected, the British commander, finding that he could not bring him to an engagement, took the latter course, and withdrawing a detachment from Ninety-six, re-established himself on the line of the Congaree. Within two days, however, after his arrival at the banks of that river, he was astonished to find his indefatigable enemy in his front, with numbers so recruited, that he thought it prudent to decline the battle which was offered him, and retreated to Orangeburgh, where he was joined

What were the feelings of Gen. Greene at this time?

What was a peculiar characteristic of him?

On this occasion what was he advised to do?

What was his reply?

On mature deliberation what was he well aware of?
What course did the British commander adopt?
By what was he astonished?

by Lieutenant-Colonel Cruger, who, in the present circumstances, had thought it expedient to evacuate his post at Ninety-six. On the junction of the forces of these two commanders, Greene retired to the heights above Santee, from whence he sent his active coadjutors, Marion and Sumpter, with strong scouting parties, to interrupt the communication between Orangeburgh and Charleston. As a last effort to maintain their influence in the center of the province, the British took post in force near the confluence of the Wateree and the Congaree; but on the approach of Greene, they retreated for the space of forty miles, and waited his threatened attack at the Eutaw Springs.* Here

* "On the 8th of September, at four in the morning, General Greene advanced with 2000 men, to attack them in their encampment. His army moved from the ground in the following order. The South and North Carolina militia, com. manded by Generals Marion and Pickens, and by Colonel Malmedy, composed the front line; the continental troops, from North Carolina, Virginia, and Ma ryland, led on by General Sumner, Lieutenant-Colonel Campbell, and Colonel Williams, composed the second line. The legion of Lieutenant-Colonel Lee covered the right flank; and the State troops of South Carolina, under Lieutenant-Colonel Henderson, covered the left. Lieutenant-Colonel Washington with his cavalry, and Captain Kirkwood with the Delaware troops, formed a corps de reserve. As the army advanced, the van fell in with two parties of the British, about four miles from the camp of Eutaw, and was briskly attacked: but the enemy, on receiving a heavy fire from the State troops, and a charge with the bayonet from the infantry of the legion, soon retired. On notice of the approach of the Americans, Lieutenant-Colonel Stewart, who commanded the British army, immediately formed the line of battle. It was drawn up obliquely across the road, on the heights near Eutaw Springs. The right flank was covered by a battalion, commanded by Major Majoribanks, the left of which approached the road, and was concealed by a thick hedge. The road was occupied by two pieces of artillery, and a covering party of infantry. The front lines of the Americans continuing to fire and advance, the action soon became general. In the heat of the engagement, Colonel Williams and Lieuten

To what place did he then retreat?

Where did Greene then retire to?

Where did he send Marion and Sumpter?
As a last effort what did the British do?