his baggage waggons must have been sent on before he took the command again,
that morning; otherwise, in making the very quick march he did,
they must have been left far in his rear. But Tarleton blames him,
for sending them ahead, because they might have served him as a rampart,
and other historians have adopted his account. After a pursuit
of one hundred miles, in fifty-four hours, Tarleton approached Buford,
about forty miles from Camden, and twenty-six from Clermont;
and dispatched Capt. David Kinloch with a flag, summoning him to surrender
upon the terms granted to the garrison of Charleston.
Buford called a council of his officers, who deeming it a deception,
he continued his march. In the afternoon, Tarleton overtook him,
unfortunately, in an open wood, and cut to pieces his rear guard.
At the sound of his bugle, Buford drew up his men, all infantry;
but Capt. Carter, (not Benjamin,) who commanded his artillery,
and led the van, continued his march. Tarleton advanced,
with his infantry in the centre, and his cavalry on the wings.
He was checked by Buford's fire; but the cavalry wheeling, gained his rear.
Seeing no hope of any longer making a defence, Buford sent Ensign Cruitt
with a flag of truce, and grounded his arms. Disregarding the flag,
and the rules of civilized warfare, Tarleton cut Cruitt down,
and charged upon Buford, with his cavalry in the rear; while Maj. Cochrane,
an infuriated Scotchman, rushed with fixed bayonets, in front.
A few of Buford's men, resumed their arms, and fired, when the British
were within ten steps, but with little effect;* as might have been expected,
from what has been stated.

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* See Dr. Brownfield's account of this affair, which throws
more light upon it, than any thing heretofore written. Appendix, p. 1.
To paliate his conduct, Tarleton has written a most partial account of it,