They persisted in firing till the torch stopped their progress, after which not a shot was fired."

With pleasure I relate to your excellency, that the loss sustained by his

» Major Leavenworth commanded the militia.

14 HISTORY OF THE

majesties troops is trifling, one hussar of the legion killed, one wounded, one

horse of the 17ih dragoons killed. The whole of the detachment, except the

above, being returned to camp. The infantry of the legion mounted on horses,

were extreme!}' fatigued by a march of sixty-four miles, in twenty-ihree

hours.

t I have the honor to be, &c.

Signed, Banastre Tarleton,

. * Lt. Col. British Legion.

The following additional particulars respecting this engagement, are contained in a letter from an officer (of Sheldon's regiment as supposed) dated at Salem, July 3rd, 1779.

" Yesterday morning about sunrise, a detachment of the second regiment of light dragoons, consisting of ninety men, commanded by Col. Sheldon, posted near Poundridge meeting house, was notified of the advance of the enemy by our videttes. Our horses being previously saddled and bridled, the men were ordered immediately to mount. As soon as we were paraded, the enemy's horse were discovered rapidly advancing, about three or four hundred in number.

The enemy having driven in our advanced parties, they began the charge on the detachment, which from the great superiority of the enemy, was obliged to move off. The enemy pushed hard on our rear for more than two miles, in the course of which, a scattering fire was kept up between their advance and our rear, and a constant charge with the sword, the country through which we passed being very mountainous and rocky, caused many of our horses to blunder and fall, which occasioned some to fall into the hands of the enemy.