wrought upon by some
Tory neighbors, such a mitigation of his disloyalty was presented as
to induce the officers holding the court-martial to overlook his
offence and set him at liberty. Soon afterward, true to his promise,
he joined his former Whig comrades, marched to the battle of Guilford
and made a good soldier to the end of the war.

Near the close of the year 1780, hearing that Col. Morgan was
preparing to go upon an expedition into South Carolina, Major Forney
attached himself to the command of Capt. James Little, with the
intention of joining his forces, but did not come up with them until
after the battle of the Cowpens. He then returned home, and remained
there until the 27th of January, 1781, when all the Whigs in his
section of the country had to fly before Cornwallis in pursuit of
Morgan with his large number of prisoners on their way to Virginia.
Major Forney then crossed the Catawba, and joined a detachment of
troops on its eastern bank under Capt. Henderson, placed as a guard by
Gen. Davidson at Cowan's Ford, where it was expected the British might
attempt to cross. Having stood guard for some time at this point, and
being relieved, he went a short distance to a house to procure
refreshments of which he was much in need, and was not present when
the guard was repulsed, and Gen. Davidson killed. He then fled with
the other troops to Adam Torrence's, about ten miles distant, where a
considerable body of militia had assembled, but were greatly
disheartened on account of the death of Gen. Davidson. The day was
damp and unfavorable to the use of firearms. The militia, without much
order, fired once at the British, killing seven, and then dispersed in
all directions. He then retreated until he reached Gen. Greene's army,
in Guilford county. From this place he was advised to return home, and
in doing so was furnished with a ticket to procure provisions on the
way.

On the 25th of March, 1781, the militia being again called out, Major
Forney attached himself to the command of Capt. Samuel Espey, acting
as a Sergeant. The company then joined a detachment of militia under
Gen. Thomas Polk, marched into South Carolina, and came up with Gen.
Greene's army at Rugeley's Mill. The army was then placed under the
command of Col. Dudley, and remained under him until Gen. Greene
commenced his march to the post of Ninety Six. At this time, Capt.
Espey being compelled to leave the service in consequence of a wound
receiv