in the Eutaw Springs. They stove between twenty and thirty
puncheons of rum, and destroyed a great variety of other stores,
which they had not carriages to carry off. We pursued them the
moment we got intelligence of their retiring; but they formed a
junction with Major McArthur at this place, General Marion and
Lieutenant-Colonel Lee not having a force sufficient to prevent
it; but on our approach they retired to the neighbourhood of
Charleston. We have taken five hundred prisoners, including the
wounded the enemy left behind; and I think they cannot have
suffered less than six hundred more in killed and wounded. The
fugitives that fled from the field of battle spread such an alarm
that the enemy burnt their stores at Dorchester, and abandoned
their post at Fair Lawn; and a great number of negroes and others
were employed in felling trees across the roads for some miles
without the gates at Charleston. Nothing but the brick house, and
the peculiar strength of the position at Eutaw, saved the remains
of the British army from being all made prisoners.

We pursued them as far as this place; but not being able to
overtake them, we shall halt a day or two to refresh, and then
take our old position on the high hills of Santee. I think myself
principally indebted for the victory we obtained to the free use
of the bayonet, made by the Virginians and Marylanders, the
infantry of the legion, and Captain Kirkwood's light infantry,
and though few armies ever exhibited equal bravery with ours in
general, yet the conduct and intrepidity of these corps were
peculiarly conspicuous. Lieutenant-Colonel Campbell fell as he
was leading his troops to the charge, and though he fell with
distinguished marks of honour, yet his loss is much to be
regretted; he was the great soldier and the firm patriot.

Our loss in officers is considerable, more from their value than
their number; for never did men or officers offer their blood
more willingly in the service of their country. I cannot help
acknowledging my obligations to Colonel Williams for his great
activity on this and many other occasions in forming the army,
and for his uncommon intrepidity in leading on the Maryland
troops to the charge, which exceeded anything I ever saw. I also
feel myself greatly indeb