but the two hundred light infantry, under Gen. Huger,
and the horse under Col. Washington; which were those mentioned
in Lincoln's order to Gen. Marion; the British were suffered
to detach small parties through the country, and to take all the horses
which were fit, either to transport their cannon and baggage,
or to mount their cavalry. In one month after their landing,
Col. Tarleton had his legion mounted, and began his career of slaughter.
On the 18th March, he surprised a party of 80 militia, at Saltketcher bridge,
killed and wounded several, and dispersed the rest. On the 23d,
he put to flight another party at Ponpon, killed three, wounded one,
and took four prisoners. On the 27th, near Rantowle's bridge, he had
a rencounter with Col. Washington, at the head of his legion of 300 men;
Tarleton was worsted in this affair, and lost seven men, prisoners.
On the 13th April, the American infantry and cavalry under Gen. Huger,
lay, the infantry at Biggen church, and the cavalry under Col. Washington,
at Monk's corner. Col. Tarleton with Ferguson's corps of marksmen,
advanced on from the quarter-house to Goose Creek, where he was joined
by Col. Webster, with the 33d and 64th regiments of infantry.
There an attack upon the American post was concerted,
and it was judged advisable to make it in the night,
as that would render the superiority of Washington's cavalry useless.
A servant of one of Huger's officers was taken on the road,
and he agreed for a few dollars, to conduct the enemy through a by-road,
to Monk's corner. At three o'clock in the morning, they charged
Washington's guard on the main road, and pursued them into the camp.
The Americans were completely surprised. Major Vernier, of Pulaski's legion,
and twenty-five men, were killed. One hundred officers, and dragoons,
fifty waggons loaded with ammunition, clothing and arms,
and four hundred horses, with their accoutrements, were taken.
A most valuable acquisition to the British. Major Cochrane with