No higher encomium of the principles and patriotism of the people of North Carolina could have been well given.  It is the testimony of an eye-witness, and he a cruel enemy, with the best means of information before him.  Tarleton goes on to say, “The town and its environs abounded with inveterate enemies.  The plantations in the neighborhood were small and uncultivated; the roads narrow and crossed in every direction; and the whole face of the country covered with close and thick woods.  In addition to these disadvantages, no estimation could be made of the sentiments of half the inhabitants of North Carolina whilst the royal army remained in Charlotte.”

And, again, Tarleton informs us, “The foraging parties were every day harassed by the inhabitants, who did not remain at home to receive payment for the product of their plantations, but generally fired from covert places to annoy the British detachments.  Ineffectual attempts were made upon convoys coming from Camden, and the intermediate post at Blair’s Mill, but individuals with expresses were frequently murdered.  An attack was directed against the picket at Polk’s Mill, two miles from the town.  The Americans were gallantly received by Lieutenant Guyon, of the 23rd Regiment; and the fire of his party, from a loop-holed building adjoining the mill, repulsed the assailants.  Notwithstanding the different checks and losses sustained by the militia of the district, they continued their hostilities with unwearied perseverance; and the British troops were so effectually blockaded in their present position, that very few, out of a great many messengers, could reach Charlotte in the beginning of October, to give intelligence of Ferguson’s situation.”

The repulse at McIntyre’s, elsewhere noticed in these sketches, is a good illustration of what Tarleton says in these quotations.  Truly, the “Hornets” were enraged about that time—­more vigilant and out-flying than ever before; but it should be borne in mind they were then fighting the invaders of their own soil, and in defence of the undisturbed enjoyments of “home, sweet home.”

Stedman describes, in much the same terms as Tarleton has done, the difficulties encountered by the British in procuring supplies for their army.  He says: 

“In Col.  Polk’s mill were found 28,000 lbs. of flour and a quantity of wheat.  There were several large cultivated farms in the neighborhood of Charlotte.  An abundance of cattle, few sheep; the cattle mostly milch cows, or cows with calf, which, at that season of the year, was the best beef.  When the army was in Charlotte we killed, upon an average, one hundred head per day.  The leanness of the cattle will account for the number killed each day.  At this period the royal army was supported by Lord Rawdon’s moving with one half of the army one day, and Colonel Webster with the other half the next day, as a covering party to protect the foraging parties and cattle drivers.”

The English people had then, as now, the reputation of being great beef-eaters; nor should we blame them, as the florid complexion the Englishman generally wears is mainly owing to the free use of this non-febrile and healthy food, washed down with a few potations of good old London ale.