Two videttes had been placed by Sumpter, on the road along which Tarlton had advanced, who fired upon his van and killed one of his dragoons, upon which they were both sabred.  We are informed by Colonel Tarlton that the inquiries made by Sumpter respecting the two shots, were answered by an assurance from an officer, just returned from the advanced sentries, that the militia were firing at cattle.

[Sidenote:  August 19.]

Intelligence of this disaster reached Charlotte next day.  Generals Smallwood and Gist were then arrived at that place, and about one hundred and fifty straggling, dispirited, half famished officers and soldiers had also dropped in.  It was thought adviseable to retreat immediately to Salisbury.  From that place, General Gates directed the remnant of the troops to march to Hillsborough, where he was endeavouring to assemble another army, which might enable him yet to contend for the southern states.

CHAPTER VII.

Distress in the American camp....  Expedition against Staten Island....  Requisitions on the states....  New scheme of finance....  Committee of congress deputed to camp....  Resolution to make up depreciation of pay....  Mutiny in the line of Connecticut....  General Knyphausen enters Jersey....  Sir Henry Clinton returns to New York....  Skirmish at Springfield....  Exertions to strengthen the army....  Bank established in Philadelphia....  Contributions of the ladies....  Farther proceedings of the states....  Arrival of a French armament in Rhode Island....  Changes in the quartermaster’s department....  Enterprise against New York abandoned....  Naval superiority of the British.

[Sidenote:  1780.]

While disasters thus crowded on each other in the southern states, the Commander-in-chief found himself surrounded with difficulties, which required his utmost exertions to avoid calamities equally distressing.  His urgent requisitions for men to supply the places of those who were leaving the service, were not complied with, and the soldiers who remained, could scarcely be preserved from either perishing with cold and hunger, or dispersing and living on plunder.

General Greene and Colonel Wadsworth, who had, for the preceding year, been at the head of the quartermaster and commissary departments, possessed distinguished merit, and had employed assistants of unquestionable ability and integrity.  Yet, for a great part of the campaign, the rations were frequently reduced, and the army was rarely supplied with provisions for more than a few days in advance.  Soon after coming into winter quarters, the magazines were exhausted, and afforded neither meat nor flour to be delivered to the men.

This state of things had been long foreseen; and all the means in the power of the Commander-in-chief had been used to prevent it.  Repeated representations of the actual famine with which the army was threatened, had been made to congress, and to the state governments; but no adequate relief was afforded; and such was the condition of the finances, so embarrassing the state of affairs, that it was perhaps attainable only by measures which the governments could not venture to adopt.