Captain Moore, one British Major, ninety-three Tories and two hundred and fifty stands of arms and their ammunition greatly needed at that time, were the fruits of this victory.

It was at this period that Major Ferguson of the British army, in his progress to the mountains of North Carolina, made several attempts to surprise Col.  Shelby, but in every instance, he was baffled through his vigilance and activity.

On the first of August, 1780, the advance of the British force came up and attacked Shelby at Cedar Springs.  The situation had been chosen by Shelby and his martial, adventurous spirit did not avoid the issue of battle.  A sharp and animated conflict ensued, which lasted half an hour, when the whole force of Ferguson advanced to the scene of action.  Shelby deemed it prudent to retreat before superior numbers, carrying off as the fruits of his victory thus far obtained, fifty prisoners, including two British officers.  The enemy made a rapid pursuit, but Shelby, availing himself of every advantageous ground, completely eluded their efforts to overtake him and soon afterward joined Gen. McDowell with only a loss of ten or twelve killed and wounded.

On the 19th of August, 1780, Colonels Shelby, Williams and Clarke, under orders from Gen. McDowell, again attacked, with seven hundred mounted men, a large body of Tories near Musgrove’s Mill, on the south side of the Ennoree river.  On the night of the 18th of August, these officers left Smith’s Ford on Broad river, took a circuitous route through the woods to avoid Ferguson, whose whole force lay between, and at dawn of day, after riding about forty miles, attacked the patrol of the Tories, about half a mile from their camp.  A brisk skirmish ensued, several were killed, and the patrol driven in.  At this moment, a countryman living near informed Col.  Shelby the enemy on the night before had been re-inforced by a body of six hundred regulars (the Queen’s American regiment from New York) under Col.  Innis.  This was unexpected news.  Fatigued as were their horses, retreat was impracticable; and to attack an enemy of such superior force, would have been an act of rashness and the certain defeat of his own little band of patriots.

Col.  Shelby met the trying emergency with unflinching courage and great promptness of action.  It was agreed that Colonel Williams should have the chief command.  Accordingly, the whole Whig force, except Capt.  Inman’s command, was ordered to form a breastwork of old logs and brush, and make as brave a defence as circumstances permitted.  Capt.  Inman, with twenty-five men was directed to proceed to the ford of the river, fire across upon the enemy, and retreat when they appeared in strong force.  This stratagem being the suggestion of the brave Capt.  Inman, was successful.  Col.  Innis immediately crossed the river to dislodge the “rebels.”  Capt.  Inman and his little force instantly retreated, hotly pursued by Innis until within the area of the