CAMPAIGN OF 1781-OPERATIONS IN THE CAROLINAS AND GEORGIA.

ENERAL GREENE found that he could not long remain inactive at Charlotte, for the country between that place and Canada, having been traversed by the contending armies, was quite exhausted. In order to procure subsistence for his troops, as well as to distract and harass the enemy, he was constrained to divide his little army. General Morgan's detachment was reinforced by 400 infantry, under Lieutenantcolonel Howard, 170 Virginia riflemen, under Major Triplett, and 80 light dragoons, under Colonel Washington.

With this small force, Morgan was sent to the south of the Catawba, to observe the British at Wynnesborough and Camden, and to shift for himself. Greene, with the other division, marched to Hick's Corner, on the east side of the Pedee, where he arrived on the 29th of December. The object of this movement was to obtain subsistence for the army.

Morgan did not remain inactive. On the 27th of December, he detached Colonel Washington, with his dragoons and 200 militia, who next day marched forty miles, surprised a party of loyalists at Ninety-Six, killed or wounded 150 of them, and took 40 prisoners, without sustaining considerable loss. About the same time, Morgan was joined by Major

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M'Dowell, with 200 North Carolina militia, and by Colonel Pickens, with 70 from South Carolina.

Cornwallis had ordered General Leslie, with between 1500 and 2000 troops, to join him at Charleston, and he waited impatiently for his arrival, to begin a vigorous campaign. In the meantime, alarmed at the active operations of Morgan, he detached Colonel Tarleton, with about 1100 men, and several pieces of artillery, to drive him from the province or disperse his troops. As Tarleton's force was much superior to that of Morgan, no doubt was entertained of his success. main body, advanced up the Catawba, followed by General Leslie, with Cornwallis, with the the reinforcement, hoping either to intercept Morgan, or to get between him and Greene.

Tarleton moved forward with his usual rapidity. On the 14th of January, Morgan was informed of the approach of the British detachment. Aware of his danger, he began to retreat, and crossed the Pacolet. Tarleton crossed the river six miles above, and as Morgan retreated, took possession of the ground the Americans had occupied a few hours before. Morgan, though retreating, was too daring and determined to recede to a distant point, without having a skirmish, at least. Tarleton's force was

much superior in numbers, but more so in quality of troops. Leaving his baggage under a guard, he pursued the retreating Americans. Morgan halted at a place called the Cowpens, about three miles from the line of separation between North and South Carolina. The ground had no great advantages, but the American commander's dispositions were judicious. The front line was composed of militia, under General Pickens, the second of the continentals, under Colonel Howard, and the cavalry, under Colonel Washington, was posted in the rear.

Before daylight, the van of the British appeared. Tarleton, assured of victory, ordered his front line to advance before it was well formed. The British rushed forward, shouting and firing as they advanced. The and militia received them with a well-directed fire, but soon gave way, retreated to the rear of the Continentals. Tarleton eagerly pressed on, An obstinate but the Continentals received the attack like veterans. struggle ensued, and Morgan ordered his men to retreat to the summit of an eminence. The British, exhausted by pursuit, and believing the victory won, followed in some disorder. Howard ordered his men to wheel and fire. This unexpected and destructive volley threw the enemy into confusion; Howard followed up his advantage with the bayonet, and the line of the enemy was soon broken. At the same time, Washington attacked and routed the British cavalry, who were cutting down the militia. The whole force of the Americans was now brought to bear, and the British About 200 were totally routed. A large number laid down their arms.

cavalry, which had been kept in reserve, fled through the woods, but the guard left with the baggage was the only portion of the infantry which escaped. Three hundred of the British were killed or wounded and 500 taken prisoners. Eight hundred muskets, two field-pieces, 35 baggagewagons, and 100 dragoon horses, fell to the victors, who had only twelve killed and sixty wounded. General Morgan received a gold medal from Congress for his good conduct upon this memorable day, and silver medals. were presented to Colonels Washington and Howard, and a sword to Colonel Pickens. The impetuosity of Tarleton, which had been the cause of his former success, was in this battle one of the causes of his defeat. But, taking all the disadvantages of the British into consideration, it is easy to perceive that the principal cause of the victory was the skill of the officers, and the determined bravery of the Americans.

Cornwallis, confident in the number and discipline of his troops, was

indulging pleasing reveries of the speedy subjugation of the southern states, when he received intelligence of the complete defeat of Tarleton's detachment. It mortified and perplexed him; but nothing remained but to endeavor to compensate for the disaster. He was as near the fords of the Catawba as Morgan; and he hoped that officer might be overtaken before he could pass those fords. On the 19th of January, he started in pursuit, after destroying his superfluous baggage: but he missed his aim. Morgan, fully aware of his danger, left his wounded under a flag of truce, and set off with his prisoners and trophies. He hastened across the Broad River, and reached the Catawba on the evening of the 28th. The next day, he crossed the river, and gained the northern bank just two hours before the van of the British army appeared on the opposite side. Much rain having fallen in the morning, the river was impassable; and thus was Morgan's division saved, as if by the interposition of Providence. This circumstance was generally regarded by the Americans as an evidence of the justice of their cause.

It was two days before the inundation subsided, and in the interval, Morgan sent off his prisoners to Charlotteville, Virginia, and they were soon beyond the reach of pursuit. Morgan now called for the aid of the neighboring militia, and prepared to dispute the passage of the river. On the 31st of January, while he lay at Sherwood's Ford, General Greene unexpectedly appeared in camp, and took upon himself the command.

N the 12th of January, while in camp at Hick's Creek, Greene had been joined by Colonel Lee's partisan legion, which consisted of 100 horse and 120 infantry. On the 24th, Lee surprised Georgetown, and killed some of the garrison; but the greater part fled into the fort, which he was not in a condition to besiege. This daring and intelligent partisan was of great service to General

Greene in the course of the campaign.

On hearing of Morgan's danger, Greene's aim was to effect a junction of the two divisions. Leaving General Huger in command of his division, he rapidly proceeded to join Morgan. After a ride of 150 miles, with but two or three companions, he reached Morgan's camp on the 21st. On the evening of that day, the river having subsided, Cornwallis resolved to attempt the passage. As the fords were all guarded, he perplexed the Americans by a show of intention to cross at different points. Colonel Webster, with one division of the army, was sent to Beattie's Ford to command the enemy, as if that was the place where the attempt to cross would be made. General Davidson, with 300 militia, guarded the ford where the real attempt was made. The British were discovered when in