hundred regular troops, and the Queen’s American regiment from New York, commanded by Colonel Innis, marching to join Ferguson.  Here was a position that would have tried the talent and nerve of the most skillful and brave officer.  Advance was hopeless, and retreat impossible.  But Shelby was equal to the emergency.  He immediately commenced forming a breast-work of brush and old logs, while he detailed twenty-five tried men to reconnoiter and skirmish with the enemy as soon as they crossed the Enoree river.  The drums and bugles of the enemy were soon heard marching upon this devoted band.  Captain Inman had been ordered to fire and retreat.  This stratagem, suggested by Captain Inman himself, was successful in its object.  The enemy advanced in rapid pursuit and in great confusion, believing that the whole American force was routed.  When they approached the rude breast-work of Shelby, they received from his riflemen a most destructive fire, which carried great slaughter among them.  This was gallantly kept up; all the British officers were killed or wounded, and Hawsey, the Tory leader, shot down.  The enemy then began a disorderly retreat.  The Americans now in turn pursued, and in this pursuit the brave Captain Inman was killed, fighting hand to hand with the enemy.  Colonel Shelby commanded the right wing, Colonel Clarke the left, and Colonel Williams the center.

The British loss in this brilliant and well-planned battle, was sixty-three killed and one hundred wounded and prisoners; the American loss was only four killed, including Captain Inman, and Captain Clarke wounded.

The triumphant victors were about to remount and advance on the British post at Ninety Six, when an express arrived from Colonel McDowell, with a letter from Governor Caswell, informing them of the defeat of General Gates at Camden on the 16th of August, and advising the retreat of our troops, as the British, flushed with victory, would advance in strong force and cut off all detachments of our people.  With Ferguson near him, Colonel Shelby, encumbered with more than two hundred prisoners, acted with energy and promptness.  He distributed the prisoners among the companies, each behind a private, and without stopping day or night, retreated over the mountains to a place of safety.

This rapid movement saved his men and himself.  On the next day Major DePeyster, of Ferguson’s forces, with a strong body of men, made an active but fruitless search.

In consequence of the panic after Gates’ defeat on the 16th of August, 1780, and the surprise and dispersion of Sumter’s forces at Fishing creek by Tarleton’s cavalry on the 18th following, Colonel McDowell disbanded, for a time, his little army, and he himself retreated over the mountains.