A short time afterward a sharp fight ensued between a force under
Colonel Stewart and the army of General Greene. The English were
taken by surprise and were at first driven back, but they recovered
from their confusion and renewed the fight with great spirit, and
after a desperate conflict the Americans were repulsed. Two cannon
and 60 prisoners were taken; among the latter Colonel Washington, who
commanded the reserve. The loss on both sides was about equal, as 250
of the British troops were taken prisoners at the first outset. The
American killed considerably exceeded our own. Both, parties claimed
the victory; the Americans because they had forced the British to
retreat; the British because they had ultimately driven the Americans
from the field and obliged them to retire to a strong position seven
miles in the rear This was the last action of the war in South
Carolina.
CHAPTER XXI.
THE END OF THE STRUGGLE.
Being unable to obtain any supplies at Wilmington, Lord Cornwallis
determined to march on into Virginia and to effect a junction with
the British force under General Arnold operating there. Arnold
advanced to Petersburg and Cornwallis effected a junction with him on
May 20. The Marquis de la Fayette, who commanded the colonial forces
here, fell back. Just at this time the Count de Grasse, with a large
French fleet, arrived off the coast, and, after some consultation
with General Washington, determined that the French fleet and the
whole American army should operate together to crush the forces under
Lord Cornwallis.
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