“Greene was given the post at West Point after it was left vacant by Arnold’s treason. Greene assumed the command early in October, 1780, but the failure of Gates in the southern field caused his recall in August, and by common consent Greene was considered the best man fit to retrieve the fortunes of the southern army.
“Congress empowered Washington to ask Greene to take Gates’ late command. Greene accepted the offered post and found a formidable task awaiting him. He took the command at Charlotte, 2d of December, 1780. In front of him was an army of three thousand two hundred and twenty-four men abundantly clothed and fed, well disciplined, elated with victory and led by an able general.
“To oppose this force he had an army of two thousand three hundred and seven, of whom one thousand four hundred and eighty-two were present and fit for duty, five hundred and forty-seven were absent on command, and one hundred and twenty-eight were detached on extra service; all these were half fed, scantily clothed, cast down by defeat, and many of them defiant of all discipline. Also the country was infested with Tories.
“To Greene’s bright mind it was evident that he could not face Cornwallis with such inferior numbers, and he resolved to divide his forces, by which means he might secure an abundance of food, keep the enemy within narrow bounds, cut them off from supplies from the upper country, revive the drooping spirits of the inhabitants, threaten the posts and communications of the enemy, and compel him to delay his threatened invasion of North Carolina.
“With the purpose of threatening the British left flank, Morgan was detached with his famous Maryland brigade, and Colonel Washington’s light dragoons, to take up a position near the confluence of Pacolet and Broad Rivers.
“With the other division, Greene, after a laborious march through a barren country, took post at Hick’s Creek on the Pedee, near the South Carolina line.
“Tarleton was hastening forward with his troops, expecting to strike a decisive blow at Morgan, whom it seems he despised, probably deeming him very inferior to himself in military knowledge and skill.
“He found Morgan, Colonel Washington and their troops prepared to receive him and his. Then followed the battle of the Cowpens, of which I told you the other day.
“Cornwallis was furious over that defeat, and set out at once in pursuit of Morgan, leaving behind whatever might hinder his movements.”
“But he didn’t catch him,” cried Ned, clapping his hands with a gleeful laugh.