the right of Cornwallis, who was then at Winsboro, South Carolina.  While encamped at this place he was joined by the legionary corps of cavalry under Lieutenant-Colonel Henry Lee, more familiarly known as “Light Horse Harry,” and father of the late distinguished Gen. Robert E. Lee, of the Confederate army, whose memory the Southern people and an impartial world will ever delight to honor!  The other detachment of the army, about one thousand strong, under Brig.  Gen. Morgan was placed about fifty miles to the left to disperse bands of Tories and protect the country between the Broad and Pacolet rivers.  Gen. Morgan’s division, near the close of 1780, consisted of four hundred of Continental infantry under Lieutenant-Colonel Howard, of the Maryland line, two companies of the Virginia militia under Captains Triplett and Tate, and about one hundred dragoons under Lieutenant-Colonel William Washington.  This force, at the time just mentioned, was considerably augmented by North Carolina militia under Major McDowell—­“Mountain boys,” ever reliable, and some Georgia militia, under Major Cunningham.  Gen. Morgan encamped on the northern bank of Pacolet river, and near Pacolet Springs.  From this point Col.  Washington frequently sallied forth to disperse bodies of Tories who assembled at different places and plundered the Whig inhabitants.  He attacked and defeated two hundred of them at Hammond’s store, and soon afterward a section of his command dispersed another Tory force under the “bloody Bill Cunningham.”

Cornwallis, who was still at Winnsboro, perceived these successes with alarm, and fearing an attack upon his important post at Ninety-Six, determined to disperse the forces under Morgan or drive them into North Carolina before he should rally the Mountain Men in sufficient numbers to cut off his communication with his post at Augusta.  He accordingly dispatched Tarleton with his legion and a strong force of infantry, with two field pieces, to compel Morgan to fight or hastily retreat.  Tarleton’s entire force consisted of about eleven hundred well-disciplined men, and in every respect he had the advantage of Morgan.

It is related of Tarleton that when he heard of Morgan’s forces being encampted near the post of Ninety-Six, he begged of Lord Rawdon the privilege of attacking the American officer.  “By Heaven, my lord, said he, I would not desire a finer feather in my cap than Colonel Morgan.  Such a prisoner would make my fortune.  Ah, Ban,” (contraction of Banastre, Tarleton’s Christian name) replied Rawdon, “you had better let the old wagoner alone.”  As no refusal would satisfy him, permission was given, and he immediately set out with a strong force in pursuit of Morgan.  At parting Tarleton said to Rawdon with a smile, “My lord, if you will be so obliging as to wait dinner, the day after to-morrow, till four o’clock, Colonel Morgan shall be one of your lordship’s guests.”  “Very well, Ban, said Rawdon, we shall wait; but remember, Morgan was brought up under Washington.”