miles, and not being able to overtake them, the detachment returned to the fort.  In 1777, Gen. Forney volunteered as a Lieut. in Capt James Reid’s company, for the purpose of quelling a considerable body of Tories assemble not far from the South Carolina line.  The detachment was commanded by Col.  Charles M’Lean, who marched into South Carolina and pursued after the Tories until it was ascertained Gen. Pickens, considerably in advance with his forces, had commenced the pursuit of the same, and was too far ahead to be overtaken.  The detachment then returned to North Carolina, and, having taken several prisoners on the way, suspected of being inimical to the American cause, Capt.  Reid was ordered to convey them to Salisbury.  Gen. Forney still remained in service, and attached himself to Capt.  Kuykendal’s company until some time in June.  After this time he was frequently out in short expeditions for the purpose of intimidating and keeping down the rising spirit of the Tories, and arresting them, whenever the good of the country seemed to require it.  In the fall of 1779 Gen, Forney volunteered with a party to go to Kentucky (Harrod Station) and after staying there a short time returned home.  At this time, there being a call made upon the militia to march to the relief of Charleston, he volunteered as a Lieut. in Capt.  Neals’ company, which was ordered to rendezvous at Charlotte, whilst there, waiting for the assemblage of more troops, he was appointed Captain by Col.  Hampton and Lieut.  Col.  Hambright, Capt.  Neal being superseded in his command on account of intemperance.  From Charlotte the assembled forces march by way of Camden to Charleston, under the command of Cols.  Hall, Dickson and Major John Nelson, continental officers.  The militia of North Carolina, at the time, was commanded by Gen. Lillington.  The term of service of Gen. Forney’s company having expired shortly after his arrival at Charleston, and the British being in considerable force off that city, he induced the greater portion of his company to again volunteer for about six weeks longer, until fresh troops, then expected, would come to their relief.  In the spring of 1780 Gen. Forney, immediately after his return from Charleston, volunteered under Lieut.  Col.  Hambright, and went in pursuit of Col.  Floyd a Tory leader on Fishing Creek, S. C. Hearing of their approach Floyd hastily fled to Rocky Mount, and the expedition, not being able to accomplish anything more at that time, returned to North Carolina.  On the night of his arrival at home Gen. Forney was informed that the Tories, under Col.  John Moore, were embodied in strong force at Ramsour’s Mill near the present town of Lincolnton.  On the next day he left home and went up the Catawba river, when, encountering a considerable body of Tories near Mountain Creek, he returned and immediately hastened to inform Gen. Rutherford.  He found him encamped at Col.  Dickson’s, three miles northwest of Tuckaseege Ford, with a strong