There still remained General Sumpter, with 1000 men well armed and equipped, on the south side of the Wateree (Upper Santee), who was now preparing to retreat to North Carolina. Tarleton with a mixed force of 350 men was at once sent across the river after him; but by noon on the day after the [Sidenote: 17th Aug.] battle his troops were so exhausted by fatigue and by the heat that he was forced to pick out 100 cavalry and 60 infantry, and proceed with these alone. After marching five miles further his advanced party came upon two American vedettes, who fired and killed one dragoon. But the shots caused no alarm in the American camp, for it was assumed that the American militiamen, according to their usual habit, were merely shooting at cattle. Tarleton’s men at once captured the vedettes, and moved on to a neighbouring height, from which on peering over the crest they discovered the Americans comfortably resting, without the least suspicion of danger, during the heat of the day. General Sumpter was not even dressed, so hot was the weather; and altogether Tarleton’s task, thanks to his own energy, was once more an easy one. The Americans were promptly attacked and dispersed with the loss of 150 killed and wounded, and 300 prisoners. [Sidenote: 1780.] Two guns, a great quantity of stores and ammunition, and 250 loyalist prisoners previously captured by Sumpter, also fell into Tarleton’s hands. Emboldened by this success, Lord Cornwallis advanced into North Carolina, but owing to the destruction of one of his detachments was compelled to fall back once more into South Carolina, and thus, notwithstanding his victory at Camden, found himself in as bad a position as ever. In November the indefatigable Sumpter, undismayed by previous defeats, collected another force and again threatened the British communications between Camden and Charleston. Once again Tarleton was ordered to checkmate him; but this time fortune sided with Sumpter. Tarleton on receiving his instructions moved off with his usual swiftness, and interposing between Sumpter’s force and the line of retreat into North Carolina, was on the point of cutting him off before Sumpter had received the least warning of an enemy’s approach. Unluckily, however, a deserter betrayed Tarleton’s movements, and thus enabled Sumpter to get the start of him on his retreat. Tarleton none the less followed hard after him, and having overtaken his rear-guard, and cut it to pieces, hurried forward with a handful of 170 of the Seventeenth and legion cavalry, and 80 mounted infantry, to catch the main body before it could cross a rapid river, the Tyger, that barred its line of march. At 5 P.M. on the 20th November he finally overtook Sumpter at Blackstocks, and with his usual impetuosity attacked him forthwith. The American force was 1000 strong, skilfully posted on difficult ground, and sheltered by log huts. Tarleton’s men were beaten back from all points, and being very heavily punished, were