The War in the Northwest 299 



Cornwallis speedily found him to be peculiarly 

 fitted for just such service as was needed; for he 

 possessed rare personal qualities. He was of mid- 

 dle height and slender build, with a quiet, serious 

 face and a singularly winning manner; and withal, 

 he was of literally dauntless courage, of hopeful, 

 eager temper, and remarkably fertile in shifts and 

 expedients. He was particularly fond of night at- 

 tacks, surprises, and swift, sudden movements gen- 

 erally, and was unwearied in drilling and disciplin- 

 ing his men. Not only was he an able leader, but 

 he was also a finished horseman, and the best marks- 

 man with both pistol and rifle in the British army. 

 Being of quick, inventive mind, he constructed a 

 breech-loading rifle, which he used in battle with 

 deadly effect. This invention had been one of the 

 chief causes of his being brought into prominence 

 in the war against America, for the British officers 

 especially dreaded the American sharpshooters. 3 It 

 would be difficult to imagine a better partisan leader, 

 or one more fitted by his feats of prowess and in- 

 dividual skill, to impress the minds of his followers. 

 Moreover, his courtesy stood him in good stead 

 with the people of the country; he was always kind 

 and civil, and would spend hours in talking affairs 

 over with them and pointing out the mischief of 

 rebelling against their lawful sovereign. He soon 

 became a potent force in winning the doubtful to 



officers; thus Ferguson was a brigadier-general of militia, 

 lieutenant-colonel of volunteers, a major in the army, etc. 

 3 Ferguson's "Memoir," p. n. 



