4. In less than an hour the eleven hundred British were so thoroughly routed that they lost five hundred and two prisoners, three hundred killed and wounded, with all their artillery and stores. General Morgan had but eight hundred men, and though flushed with victory, he remembered that the main army of the enemy was at Turkey Creek, only twenty-five miles away. He therefore prudently burned his captured stores, and leaving his and the enemy's wounded under protection of a flag, at once began his retreat through North Carolina. 5. He well knew that Lord Cornwallis would be enraged at Tarleton's disaster and would seek the recapture of his prisoners. During twelve days the victors fled from the scene of their glory, while the British were pushing on close behind them. At the expiration of that time, as the day was closing in, and General Morgan had just safely crossed the Catawba River, at the Island Ford, he looked back and saw the British vanguard on the other bank of the stream. 6. The exultant pursuers had overcome the twenty-five miles of start, and feeling sure of their prey, they encamped that night with the utmost confidence that on the next day they could easily overtake the fugitives. But they were doomed to disappointment. Soon a heavy rain began falling, and when the night was past the river had become a great and impassable flood. 7. The baffled foe was compelled to halt, for the passage of the stream was impossible. The high water remained in the river for forty-eight hours, during which time the British were unable to effect a crossing. General Morgan sent his militia with the prisoners on to Virginia, and with his Continentals kept down the left bank of the river and joined General Greene at Sherrill's Ford. There they unhappily disagreed as to future operations, and General Morgan left the service. 8. During the two days that Lord Cornwallis was stopped by the rise in the Catawba River, General Greene made arrangements to dispute its passage. This was attempted at Cowan's Ford, and the British, after some loss, forced a passage. Unfortunately, brave General Davidson, who was in command of the militia, was killed, and upon his fall his men retreated, from the field. They were surprised by Tarleton at Torrence's Tavern, six miles away in the direction of Salisbury. 9. The chase was now renewed and General Greene was again in great danger. When he reached Salisbury he was so dejected at the condition of affairs that a good woman named Mrs. Elizabeth Steele sought to cheer him by words of hope. He explained to her his almost desperate condition, and that though in command of the Southern army, he was wholly without friends and without money. She generously pressed upon him a purse of gold, and, with hope revived by such an exhibition of womanly sympathy and generous patriotism, he resumed his retreat.