George Bancroft, History of the United States from the Discovery of the American Continent, Vol. 10

[343] After a march of twenty-four miles with mounted

Chap. XVI.} 1780. Nov.

infantry, Wemyss reached Fishdam on Broad river, the camp of General Sumpter, and at the head of his corps charged the picket. The attack was repelled; he himself was wounded and taken prisoner. A memorandum was found upon him of houses burned by his command. He had hanged Adam Cusack, a Carolinian, who had neither given his parole nor accepted protection nor served in the patriot army; yet his captors would not harm a man who was their prisoner.

The position of the British in the upper country became precarious. Sumpter passed the Broad river, formed a junction with Clark and Brennan, and threatened Ninety-Six. Tarleton was therefore suddenly recalled from the pursuit of Marion, and ordered to take the nearest path against Sumpter. One regiment was sent forward to join him on his march; another followed for his support. Apprised of Tarleton's approach, Sumpter posted himself strongly on the plantation of Blackstock. At five in the afternoon of the twentieth of November, Tarleton drew

20.

near in advance of his light infantry; and with two hundred and fifty mounted men he made a precipitate attack on Sumpter's superior force. The hill-side in front of the Americans was steep; their rear was protected by the rapid river Tyger; their left was covered by a large barn of logs, between which the riflemen could fire with security. The sixty-third British regiment having lost its commanding officer, two lieutenants, and one-third of its privates, Tarleton retreated, leaving his wounded to the mercy of the victor. The loss of Sumpter was very small; but being himself disabled by a severe wound, he