The War in the Northwest 307 



However, the victory was of little effect, for just 

 as it was won word was brought to Shelby that the 

 day before Cornwallis had met Gates at Camden, 

 and had not only defeated but practically destroyed 

 the American army; and on the very day of the 

 fight on the Enoree, Tarleton surprised Sumter, 

 and scattered his forces to' the four winds. The 

 panic among the whigs was tremendous, and the 

 mountaineers shared it. They knew that Ferguson, 

 angered at the loss of his detachment, would soon 

 be in hot pursuit, and there was no time for delay. 

 The local militia made off in various directions; 

 while Shelby and his men pushed straight for the 

 mountains, crossed them, and returned each man 

 to his own home. Ferguson speedily stamped out 

 the few remaining sparks of rebellion in South 

 Carolina, and crossing the boundary into the North 

 State he there repeated the process. On September 

 1 2th he caught McDowell and the only remaining 

 body of militia at Cane Creek, of the Catawba, and 

 beat them thoroughly, 12 the survivors, including 



of the glory of the day. Hay wood, Ramsey, and even Phelan 

 simply follow Shelby. Draper gives all the different ac- 

 counts; it is quite impossible to reconcile them; but all admit 

 that the British were defeated. 



I have used the word "British"; but though there were 

 some Englishmen and Scotchmen among the tories and pro- 

 vincials, they were mainly loyalist Americans. 



19 Draper apparently indorses the absurd tradition that 

 makes this a whig victory instead of a defeat. It seems 

 certain (see Draper), contrary to the statements of the Ten- 

 nessee historians, that Sevier had no part in these prelimi- 

 nary operations. 



