A number of officers were with General Greene, and they seemed to be deeply interested in some maps which lay upon the table before them. General Greene at length looked up.
“Deering,” said he, “I have sent for you because you are well acquainted with this country in every direction and because you are very well spoken of by General Marion,” for the American leader had now attained that rank.
“Yes, general,” answered Tom, wondering what was to come.
“As you have probably heard,” continued the officer, “General Morgan is operating in the western section of the state; it is positively necessary that I, in person, reach his force without delay.”
“I can guide you, general,” said Tom promptly. “I have been over the ground many times.”
“Very well,” said Greene, briefly. “See that your mount is rubbed down, fed and well rested; and get some sleep yourself. We start in the morning at daylight.”
Tom saluted and left the tent to communicate the intelligence to Cole. The General Morgan of whom Greene had spoken was in command of a corps of light infantry, of the Maryland line, numbering over three hundred men, two hundred Virginia militia, and the cavalry force that had, under Lieutenant-Colonel Washington, just beaten the British at Clermont. Sumpter had been wounded in the fight at Blackstock and was, as yet, unable to leave his bed, so his force, also, joined itself to Morgan’s.
Cornwallis had been on the point of advancing into North Carolina; but being unwilling to leave Morgan’s brigade in his rear, he despatched Colonel Tarleton against him. Morgan had, at first, retreated before the superior numbers of the British; but being closely pursued, he halted at a place called the Cowpens, and arranged his men in the order of battle. Tarleton’s headlong dragoons rushed upon him; the militia had given way and the regular troops followed. Just when it seemed that Morgan was beaten, he succeeded in reforming his scattered ranks and ordered a general charge. Shamed, and eager to show their gallant leader that his faith in them had not been misplaced, the Americans dashed at the astounded enemy and sent them flying in all directions.
Upon receiving intelligence of Tarleton’s repulse, Cornwallis left the banks of the Broad River, after destroying his heavy baggage, and commenced one of his rapid marches toward the fords of the Catawba, hoping to reach there in time to intercept the retreat of Morgan, who would, of course, know that he would now be pursued by the main body of the enemy.
This was the news which General Greene had just received, and which made him so anxious to go to Morgan and personally see that no rash measures were attempted that would endanger the brigade. He, with Tom Deering, Cole and a half dozen mounted infantry, started next morning. After a hard ride of almost two days they reached Morgan where he had encamped upon the Catawba. He had reached the fords about two hours before Cornwallis; the camp-fires of the latter could be seen across the river, for the British general had put off the crossing until morning, being sure that he would overtake his adversary then.