The War in the Northwest 333 



equal in number. What difference there was, was 

 probably in favor of the British and tories. There 

 was not a bayonet in the American army, whereas 

 Ferguson trusted much to this weapon. All his 

 volunteers and regulars were expert in its use, and 

 with his usual ingenuity he had trained several of 

 his loyalist companies in a similar manner, impro- 

 vising bayonets out of their hunting-knives. The 

 loyalists whom he had had with him for some time 

 were well drilled. The North Carolina regiment 

 was weaker on this point, as it was composed of re- 

 cruits who had joined him but recently. 50 



one hundred killed, ninety wounded, and "about" six hun- 

 dred captured. This does not take account? of those who 

 escaped. From Ramsey and De Peyster down most writers 

 assert that every single individual on the defeated side was 

 killed or taken; but in Colonel Chesney's admirable "Mili- 

 tary Biography" there is given the autobiography or memoir 

 of a South Carolina loyalist who was in the battle. His ac- 

 count of the battle is meagre and unimportant, but he ex- 

 pressly states that at the close he and a number of others 

 escaped through the American lines by putting sprigs of 

 white paper in their caps, as some of the whig militia did 

 for the militia had no uniforms, and were dressed alike on 

 both sides. A certain number of men who escaped must 

 thus be added. 



50 There were undoubtedly very many horse - thieves, 

 murderers, and rogues of every kind with Ferguson, but 

 equally undoubtedly the bulk of his troops were loyalists 

 from principle, and men of good standing, especially those 

 from the seaboard. Many of the worst tory bandits did 

 not rally to him, preferring to plunder on their own ac. 

 count. The American army itself was by no means free 

 from scoundrels. Most American writers belittle the char- 

 acter of Ferguson's force, and sneer at the courage of the 

 tories, although entirely unable to adduce any proof of their 



