and counter-marching through an inhospitable and impracticable country; they had now three hundred more before them, under still worse circumstances than those in which they first set out; for so destitute were they, notwithstanding the supplies received at Wilmington, that his lordship, sadly humorous, declared "his cavalry wanted everything, and his infantry everything but shoes."

There was no time for hesitation or delay. Greene might return and render the junction with Phillips impracticable having sent an express to the latter, therefore, informing him of his coming, and appointing a meeting at Petersburg, his lordship set off on the 25th of April on his fated march into Virginia.

Cornwallis and Lafayette in Virginia.-On arriving at Petersburg on the 20th of May, after a weary march of nearly a month, Lord Cornwallis found his force increased to more than five thousand men. General Phillips had just died of a fever, leaving the command to Arnold, who now, upon Cornwallis's arrival, returned to New York. For more than a month the British forces in Virginia had been watched, annoyed, and to some extent held at bay by Lafayette, whom Washington had sent down for the purpose. The first object of Cornwallis was to strike a blow at Lafayette. The marquis was encamped on the north side of James river, between Wilton and Richmond, with about one thousand regulars, two thousand militia, and fifty dragoons. He was waiting for reinforcements of militia, and for the arrival of General Wayne with the Pennsylvania line. The latter had been ordered to the South by Washington nearly three months previously, but was unavoidably delayed. Joined by these, Lafayette would venture to receive a blow, "that, being beaten, he might at least be beaten with decency, and Cornwallis pay something for his victory."

His lordship hoped to draw him into an action before thus reinforced, and with that view, marched, on the 24th of May, from Petersburg to James river, which he crossed at Westover, about thirty miles below Richmond. Lafayette conscious of the inferiority of his forces, at once decamped and directed his march toward the upper country, inclining to the north, to favor a junction with Wayne. Cornwallis followed him as far as the upper

part of Hanover County, destroying public stores wherever found. He appears to have undervalued Lafayette, on account of his youth. "The boy cannot escape me," said he, in a letter which was intercepted. Nevertheless, Cornwallis soon found it impossible either to overtake Lafayette, or prevent his junction with Wayne; he turned his attention, therefore, to other objects.

Greene, in his passage through Virginia, had urged the importance of removing horses out of the way of the enemy; his caution had been neglected; the consequences were now felt. The great number of fine horses in the stables of Virginia gentlemen had enabled Cornwallis to mount many of his troops in first-rate style. These he employed in scouring the country, and destroying public stores. Tarleton and his legion, it is said, were mounted on race-horses. On the 4th of June they made a dash upon Charlottesville, whither the state legislature had been removed for security, and even tried to capture the governor, Thomas Jefferson, in his house at Monticello, in that neighborhood. The attempts were unsuccessful. Presently Cornwallis turned and retreated, first to Richmond, then down the peninsula to Yorktown, where he intended to wait in a secure position for reinforcements. He was closely followed by Lafayette, who had been reinforced by Steuben and Wayne. The position at Yorktown seemed secure to Cornwallis because it was near the water; and ever since the beginning of the war the British had ruled the water. The position was not so safe as it seemed. But before giving the sequel, we must turn back and follow for a moment the fortunes of General Greene.

Greene and Rawdon in South Carolina. It will be recollected that Greene, on the 5th of April, set out from Deep river on a retrograde march, to carry the war again into South Carolina, beginning by an attack on Lord Rawdon's post at Camden. Sumter and Marion had been keeping alive the revolutionary fire in that state; the former on the northwest frontier, the latter in his favorite fighting ground between the Pedee and Santee rivers. On the reappearance of Greene, they stood ready to aid with heart. and hand.

On his way to Camden, Greene detached Lee to join Marion with his legion, and make an attack upon Fort Watson in order to cut off Rawdon's supplies. For himself, he appeared before Camden, but finding it too strong and too well garrisoned, fell back about two miles, and took post at Hobkirk's Hill, hoping to draw his lordship out. There Rawdon attacked him on the 25th of April, coming upon him partly by surprise. There was a hard-fought battle, but through some false move among part of his troops, Greene was obliged to retreat. His lordship did not pursue, but shut himself up in Camden, waiting to be rejoined by part of his garrison which was absent.

Greene posted himself near Camden Ferry on the Wateree, to intercept these reinforcements. Lee and Marion, who had succeeded in capturing Fort Watson, also took a position on the high hills of Santee for the same purpose. Their efforts were unavailing. Lord Rawdon was rejoined by the other part of his troops. His superior force now threatened to give him the mastery. Greene felt the hazardous nature of his situation. His troops were fatigued by their long marchings; he was disappointed of promised reinforcements from Virginia; still he was undismayed, and prepared for another of his long and stubborn retreats. "We must always operate,” said he, "on the maxim that your enemy will do what he ought to do. Lord Rawdon will push us back to the mountains, but we will dispute every inch of ground in the best manner we can." Such were his words to General Davie on the evening of the 9th of May, as he sat in his tent with a map before him studying the roads and fastnesses of the country. An express was to set off for Philadelphia the next morning, and he requested General Davie, who was of that city, to write to the members of Congress with whom he was acquainted, painting in the strongest colors their situation and gloomy prospects.

The next morning there was a joyful reverse. Greene sent for General Davie. "Rawdon," cried he, exultingly, " is preparing to evacuate Camden; that place was the key of the enemy's line of posts; they will now all fall or be evacuated; all will now go well. Burn your letters. I shall march immediately to the Congaree."