12. General Greene soon proved himself a great commander. He was gentle, unselfish and true, and loved the cause for which he fought better than his own life. He was brave, cautious and quick to seize upon all the faults of his opponent. He could patiently wait until battle was proper, and even in apparent defeat was really more dangerous than less competent commanders with a foe beaten and in full flight. QUESTIONS. 1. What number of troops did General Nash raise toward the defence North Carolina? 2. What generals were put in command? Where was Colonel Davie? 3. What move did Cornwallis make? To what place was Colonel Ferguson sent? What is said of him as a commander? 4. Where was Colonel Davie? Relate the exploit of Colonel Davie and Major Joseph Graham at Charlotte. 5. What were the movements of Cornwallis and Ferguson? 6. What preparations were made towards attacking Ferguson? Who is put in command of the troops, and why? 7. What was the strength of the command? Where did they find the Enemy? When did the battle begin? 8. Describe the battle of King's Mountain. 9. Mention some of the losses. 10. How did the victory affect Cornwallis? 11. What officer was sent to take the place of General Gates in the South? 12. What was General Greene's military ability? CHAPTER XXXIII. CORNWALLIS'S LAST INVASION. A. D. 1781. General Greene soon became aware that his great trouble would be in obtaining food in sufficient quantities to feed an army large enough to meet the British in open field. Generals Gregory and Jones were ordered back to their homes, and their brigades were disbanded because of this poverty of resources in that section of the country. General Morgan was sent west of the Catawba River; another camp was established at Cheraw, and the militia of Rowan and Mecklenburg, under General Davidson, were allowed to await at their homes for any call that might become necessary. 1781. 2. Such was the state of affairs in General Greene's command when Lord Cornwallis was reinforced by the arrival of another division of troops under the command of Major General Leslie. On January 17th, Lieutenant-Colonel Tarleton, with his famous Legion and the first battalion of the Seventy-first Regiment, assailed General Morgan at Cowpens. These men had so often cut to pieces such American forces that they expected an easy victory on this occasion. 3. They were received by the Americans with the utmost coolness and self-possession. Their deadly fire emptied so many British saddles that the boldest riders were thrown into confusion. Like a thunderbolt, then came a charge of the American lighthorse, under Lieutenant-Colonel William Washington. They rode down and sabred the terrified Britons, chasing them many miles from the field.