“In the chieftains by which he was surrounded, the virtues of patriotism, disinterestedness, caution, enterprise and courage exhibited themselves in the highest perfection.  As military leaders, Marion was particularly distinguished for enterprise, vigilance and courage; Sumter was his equal in enterprise and courage, but had less circumspection; Davie, who was generally the leader of the Waxhaw settlers, appears to have united the virtues of the two.  Perhaps in no instance, where the chief command was in him, did he fail to accomplish the object he undertook.  His intelligence was accurate; his plans judicious, and kept profoundly secret; his movements rapid; his blows sudden as the lightning, and his disappearance almost as quick.  To pursue him was useless, and it was seldom or never attempted.  He frequently dared, with a handful of men, to face an army; and we have seen, by his encounter with the British van at Charlotte, that he knew how to strike terror into an enemy he was not strong enough to conquer.”

The situation of Cornwallis in Charlotte was far from being agreeable.  The sentinels placed around his encampment were frequently shot down, compelling him to have pits sunk, five or six feet deep, for their protection.  He possessed, it is true, a few timid friends and supporters in the adjacent country, but these could not render him any material aid.  The panic which had overspread South Carolina, after the British successes in that State. had extended itself, though in a less degree, into North Carolina, and had driven many of the wealthier class to “take protection,” and thus save their property.  But notwithstanding the terror of arms which preceded his arrival, Cornwallis soon became convinced that his situation was surrounded with humiliating realities which he could not easily remove.  The reasons assigned by Tarleton are truthfully set forth, when he says, “Charlotte town afforded some conveniences, blended with great disadvantages.  The mills in its neighborhood were supposed of sufficient consequence to render it for the present an eligible position, and in future a necessary post, when the enemy advanced.  But the aptness of its intermediate situation between Camden and Salisbury, and the quantity of mills did not counterbalance these defects.”  And again he says, “It was evident, and had been frequently mentioned to the King’s officers, that the counties of Mecklenburg and Rohan (Rowan) were more hostile to England than any others in America.  The vigilance and animosity of these surrounding districts checked the exertions of the well-affected, and totally destroyed all communication between the King’s troops and loyalists in other parts of the province.  No British commander could obtain any information in that position which would facilitate his designs, or guide his future conduct.”