Page:The Marquess of Hastings, K.G..djvu/28

20 enemy, having barely time to form, met the attack by grape, and under cover of their artillery, attempted to charge; but the assaulting columns were immediately deployed, and having very soon dispersed the Americans, the latter were defeated with loss. Brilliant as the success was, it brought Rawdon only a small measure of relief, for the province was swarming with the enemy's partisans and post after post was capitulating; he profited by his victory, however, in so far that he completed his concentration (7th May), and then having made a dash at Greene, he evacuated Camden and crossed the Santee river. Arrived there, he heard the worst accounts of the state of the province; the revolt was universal, and Charleston itself was not free from danger, but being of opinion that offence is good defence, he recrossed the Santee to disperse the enemy who were now gathering thick about him. He could get no information from the inhabitants, and his difficulties were increasing, so much so that believing Greene had got round his rear, he retraced his steps and took up a position at Monks Corner, where he covered Charleston.

The important post at Ninety-Six was by this time completely exposed to the enemy, and was invested by Greene, 22nd May. Rawdon had previously sent many messengers by various routes to the commandant ordering him to evacuate it, but none of these reached their destination. To add to his troubles the British Army, notwithstanding its exhausted condition, had been further weakened by the absence of