toward the main body, many of them throwing away their arms without discharging them.  These the patriots secured; and, pursuing this advantage, Sumter next fell upon Brown’s corps, which, by being concealed in a wood, poured in a heavy fire upon the Americans.  The latter also quickly availed themselves of the trees and bushes, and returned the British fire with deadly effect.  The American riflemen, taking deliberate aim, soon cut off all of Brown’s officers and many of his soldiers; and at length, after a fierce conflict, his corps yielded, and dispersed in confusion.  The arms and ammunition procured from the enemy were of great service, for when the action commenced, Sumter’s men had not two rounds each.

Now was the moment to strike for decisive victory; it was lost by the criminal indulgence of Sumter’s men in plundering the portion of the British camp already secured, and drinking too freely of the liquor found there.  Sumter’s ranks became disordered, and while endeavoring to bring order out of confusion, the enemy rallied.  Of his six hundred men only about two hundred, with Major Davie’s cavalry, could be brought into immediate action.  Colonel Sumter, however, was not to be foiled.  With his small number of patriots he rushed forward, with a shout, to the attack.  The enemy had formed a hollow square, with the field pieces in front, and in this position received the charge.  The Americans attacked them on three sides, and for a while the contest was severe.  At length, just as the British line was yielding, a reinforcement under Captains Stewart and McDonald, of Tarleton’s Legion, made their appearance, and their number being magnified, Colonel Sumter deemed it prudent to retreat.

All this was done about mid-day, but the enemy had been so severely handled that they did not attempt a pursuit.  A small party appeared upon the Camden road, but were soon dispersed by Davie’s cavalry.  Could Sumter have brought all of his forces into action in this last attack, the rout of the British would have been complete.  As it was,

     “He beat them back! beneath the flame
       Of valor quailing, or the shock! 
     He carved, at last, a heroe’s name,
       Upon the glorious Hanging Rock!”

This engagement lasted about four hours, and was one of the best-fought battles between militia and British regulars during the war.  Sumter’s loss was twelve killed and forty-one wounded.  Among the killed were the brave Colonel McLure (lately promoted to that rank), of South Carolina, and Captain Reid, of North Carolina; Colonel Hill, Captain Craighead, Major Winn, Lieutenants Crawford and Fletcher, and Ensign McLure were wounded.

Colonel McLure, being mortally wounded, was conveyed under the charge of Davie’s cavalry to Charlotte.  He lingered until the 18th of August, on which day he died in Liberty Hall Academy.  “Of the many brave men,” said General Davie, “with whom it was my fortune to become acquainted in the army, he was one of the bravest; and when he fell we looked upon his loss as incalculable.”