ought at long shot. A convincing testimony
that this was generally the case, is that none or very few of our
men were wounded with buck shot or bayonet. The baggage of our army
was sent off to Rugely's, and the troops halted at Saunder's Creek,
about two miles South of where we fought last year, and about five
miles from Camden. The loss was nearly equal on both sides, if we
do not consider the loss of opportunity. We lost about 130 killed
and wounded, and from every account the enemy were not more lucky.
"The cavalry, the light infantry, and the guards, acquired all the
honor, and the infantry of the battalions all the disgrace that
fell upon our shoulders. The cavalry, led on by Washington, behaved
in a manner truly heroic. He charged the British army in the rear,
took a great number of prisoners, sent many of them off with small
detachments, and when he saw we were turning our backs upon victory
in front, by a circuitous manoeuvre, he threw his dragoons into
our rear, passed the line and charged the York volunteers, (a fine
corps of cavalry,) killed a number and drove the rest out of the
field. Washington is an elegant officer; his reputation is
deservedly great. Many of our officers are mortally mortified at
our late inglorious retreat. I say mortally, because I cannot doubt
that some of us must fall, in endeavoring the next opportunity, to
re-establish our reputation. Dear Reputation, what trouble do you
not occasion, what danger do you not expose us to! Who but for it,
would patiently persevere in prosecuting a war, with the mere
remnant of a fugitive army, in a country made desolate by repeated
ravages, and rendered sterile by streams of blood. Who but for
reputation would sustain the varied evils that daily attend the
life of a soldier, and expose him to jeopardy every hour. Liberty,
thou basis of reputation, suffer me not to forget the cause of my
country, nor to murmur at my fate."
The events of this campaign being active, and following in quick
succession, we have an account of the siege of Ninety-six, a very
important post. The fortunes of the war had turned generally in favor of
the Americans, although their troops were several times defeated in this
campaign. Lord Rawdon was forced to abandon Camden shortly after the
events narrated by Williams, and the posts of
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