Before another four and twenty hours had passed those who were left in charge of the supplies at Snow’s Island arrived with all the led horses that could be procured, each bearing a full burden of provender or provisions, and on the third day twenty of our people rode across the swamp to bring back yet more stores; therefore when this last expedition returned we had no fear of suffering from lack of food even though we remained fully two weeks in this encampment at the foot of the mountain. The days were passed in idleness, save for the grooming of the horses, and although not a trooper left the camp, we were kept well informed regarding the movements of the enemy, by such of the people roundabout as were friendly to the Cause. Therefore it was we heard sad news from Camden, when the humane and tender-hearted Lord Cornwallis hanged eight old men and seven boys, prisoners he had taken after the battle, simply because there was a suspicion that they may have been in the so-called rebellion. From every quarter came stories of barbarity and excesses committed by the British officers, and that which seemed like a great misfortune soon proved, despite the horror, to be a blessing in disguise, for it drove into our ranks every man from the surrounding country, who had ever been charged, whether rightfully or no, with taking any part whatsoever in resistance to the king’s oppressions. Within six days there were enrolled among the followers of General Marion no less than five hundred and fifty good men, tried and true, but it is not to be supposed that the entire force remained in camp. In fact, although the brigade was being strengthened daily, the army was decreasing, and for two good reasons: first, such a body could not be readily supplied with provisions, and secondly, because the majority of these troopers were men of families, who, during this season of inactivity, took advantage of the opportunity to provide for the needs of those at home. Then came the day when word was brought to us by some of the patriots who lived near about Georgetown, that Lord Cornwallis was secretly disturbed by what we had already done, and was deeply fearing that which we might do, therefore he was about to send against us not only Tarleton’s Legion, but a strong force of the Sixty-third Regulars under Colonel Wemyss. By this time not only had the “ragged regiment” increased in size, as I have said before, but the number of our Minute Boys had been added to until seventeen responded to the roll-call. Gabriel had, a few days before word was brought as to how high we patriots stood in the estimation of the British commander, begun drilling us that we might be able to present somewhat of a military appearance, and right glad were we for the occupation, because the monotony of camp-life, which had begun to grow wearisome, was thus broken.