ried the talent
and nerve of the most skillful and brave officer. Advance was
hopeless, and retreat impossible. But Shelby was equal to the
emergency. He immediately commenced forming a breast-work of brush and
old logs, while he detailed twenty-five tried men to reconnoiter and
skirmish with the enemy as soon as they crossed the Enoree river. The
drums and bugles of the enemy were soon heard marching upon this
devoted band. Captain Inman had been ordered to fire and retreat. This
stratagem, suggested by Captain Inman himself, was successful in its
object. The enemy advanced in rapid pursuit and in great confusion,
believing that the whole American force was routed. When they
approached the rude breast-work of Shelby, they received from his
riflemen a most destructive fire, which carried great slaughter among
them. This was gallantly kept up; all the British officers were killed
or wounded, and Hawsey, the Tory leader, shot down. The enemy then
began a disorderly retreat. The Americans now in turn pursued, and in
this pursuit the brave Captain Inman was killed, fighting hand to hand
with the enemy. Colonel Shelby commanded the right wing, Colonel
Clarke the left, and Colonel Williams the center.

The British loss in this brilliant and well-planned battle, was
sixty-three killed and one hundred wounded and prisoners; the American
loss was only four killed, including Captain Inman, and Captain Clarke
wounded.

The triumphant victors were about to remount and advance on the
British post at Ninety Six, when an express arrived from Colonel
McDowell, with a letter from Governor Caswell, informing them of the
defeat of General Gates at Camden on the 16th of August, and advising
the retreat of our troops, as the British, flushed with victory, would
advance in strong force and cut off all detachments of our people.
With Ferguson near him, Colonel Shelby, encumbered with more than two
hundred prisoners, acted with energy and promptness. He distributed
the prisoners among the companies, each behind a private, and without
stopping day or night, retreated over the mountains to a place of
safety.

This rapid movement saved his men and himself. On the next day Major
DePeyster, of Ferguson's forces, with a strong body of men, made an
active but fruitless search.

In consequence of the panic after Gates' defeat on the 16th of August,
1780, and the surprise and dispersion of Sumter's forces at Fishing
creek by Tarleton's cavalry on