they must have been
left far in his rear. But Tarleton blames him, for sending them ahead,
because they might have served him as a rampart, and other historians
have adopted his account. After a pursuit of one hundred miles, in
fifty-four hours, Tarleton approached Buford, about forty miles from
Camden, and twenty-six from Clermont; and dispatched Capt. David Kinloch
with a flag, summoning him to surrender upon the terms granted to the
garrison of Charleston. Buford called a council of his officers, who
deeming it a deception, he continued his march. In the afternoon,
Tarleton overtook him, unfortunately, in an open wood, and cut to pieces
his rear guard. At the sound of his bugle, Buford drew up his men, all
infantry; but Capt. Carter, (not Benjamin,) who commanded his artillery,
and led the van, continued his march. Tarleton advanced, with his
infantry in the centre, and his cavalry on the wings. He was checked by
Buford's fire; but the cavalry wheeling, gained his rear. Seeing no hope
of any longer making a defence, Buford sent Ensign Cruitt with a flag
of truce, and grounded his arms. Disregarding the flag, and the rules
of civilized warfare, Tarleton cut Cruitt down, and charged upon
Buford, with his cavalry in the rear; while Maj. Cochrane, an infuriated
Scotchman, rushed with fixed bayonets, in front. A few of Buford's men,
resumed their arms, and fired, when the British were within ten steps,
but with little effect;* as might have been expected, from what has been
stated.

* See Dr. Brownfield's account of this affair, which throws
more light upon it, than any thing heretofore written.
Appendix, p. 1. To paliate his conduct, Tarleton has written
a most partial account of it, which has been followed by
Moultrie, and substantially by Ramsay. The faults committed
by Buford, he says, were his sending his baggage ahead, and
not firing till the cavalry were within ten steps.--But
Buford, notwithstanding all the odium excited against him by
his ill fortune, was tried by a court martial, and
acquitted. Tarleton excuses his cruelty, by stating, that
his horse was knocked down, at the first fire: and his men,
thinking him killed, to avenge his death, were more
sanguinary than usual, and he was unable, from that
circumstance, for a while to restrain them. But Lord
Cornwallis approved the whole, and praised and caressed
Tarleton, while he