Page:The Marquess of Hastings, K.G..djvu/25

Rh Sumpter, a determined Colonial leader, at the head of some partisans, attacked a post at Hanging Rock, on the 6th August, and nearly captured it. This news brought Cornwallis to Camden, where Rawdon was concentrating his forces and constructing defensive works, and on the 16th, Gates was engaged and was completely defeated, losing all his artillery and most of his baggage. Two days later Sumpter's force was also cut to pieces.

No victory could be more complete, and Cornwallis now determined to advance into North Carolina; but his force was weak, sickness prevailed, and transport was deficient. He met with little resistance, and was pushing on towards Salisbury, when he heard of the total destruction, 9th October, at King's Mountain, of a body of Loyalist Militia, nearly 1,000 strong, under Major Ferguson, who had pursued an American partisan force which was forming near Ninety-Six. The disaster dispirited the royalists and obliged the British to retire; the retreat was not effected without loss, provisions failed, the roads were almost impassable, and the hostile militia hung upon the march; Cornwallis was suffering from fever, and so the command devolved upon Rawdon. On the 29th October, Winnsborough was reached and the army was reformed.

Clinton having heard of the success at Camden,