The incendi-ary barbarities which characterized the Poundridge excursion, were known to have been dictated by his superiors. When, however, he was transferred to the Southern department, his exactions, and severities were such, as drew upon him, from the people of Virginia and the Carolinas, the most unmitigated hatred. During the siege of Yorktown he commanded the neighboring post of Gloucester, where he was blockaded by Brigadier-general de Choisy at the head of a strong detach-ment of the combined forces. This post was delivered up on the same day that Cornwallis surrendered. "Previous to the surrender," says the celebrated Henry Lee in his memoirs,

CAPTURE OF POUNDRIDGE 49

"Tarleton waited upon General Choisy and communicated to that officer his apprehensions for his personal safety, if put at the disposal of the American militia. This conference was sought, for the purpose of inducing an arrangement which should shield him from the vengeance of the inhabitants. General Choisy did not hesitate a moment in gratifying the wishes of Tarleton. The legion of Lauzun and the corps of Mercer were selected by the General to receive the submitting enemy, while the residue of the allied detachment was held back in camp." Tarleton was the most successful, and perhaps the ablest partisan officer, Great Britain has produced. In person, he is said to have been scarcely above the middle size, although when in the saddle, he seemed much taller. His physical conformation was robust, with large muscular limbs, but all his movements indicated uncommon activity. His eyes were black and piercing, his complexion dark, and his appearance on horseback imposing. His strategy, simple, but almost always successful, consisted in surprising his antagonist, coming upon him often from the most unexpected quarter, and charging home, without a moment's suspense. Although his manner of attack was generally the same, and his audacity, and the celerity of his advances were well known yet to the last, he almost always appeared before his adversary unex-pectedly.

His eyes were black and piercing, his complexion dark, and his appearance on horseback imposing. His strategy, simple, but almost always successful, consisted in surprising his antagonist, coming upon him often from the most unexpected quarter, and charging home, without a moment's suspense. Although his manner of attack was generally the same, and his audacity, and the celerity of his advances were well known yet to the last, he almost always appeared before his adversary unex-pectedly. His military character may be summed up, in these few words.--Great personal intrepidity,--incessant restlessness,--and unparalleled rapidity of movement.