128 Life of Count Rum ford. 



Richmond, March 9. "A person who left the Southern 

 army, February 13, says Lieutenant-Colonel Thompson has 

 taken command of the British cavalry under Colonel Leslie." 



Philadelphia, March 27. "A considerable force of cav- 

 alry and infantry, commanded by Colonel Thompson, sallied out 

 from Charleston on the side opposite the American camp, and 

 surprised and dispersed a party of militia on Feb. 24 and 

 25. The British retreated before Greene could send re- 

 inforcements." 



Charleston, March 2. " Lieutenant-Colonel Thompson moved 

 on Sunday, Feb. 24, from Daniel's Island, with the cavalry, Cun- 

 ningham's and Young's troops of mounted militia, Yagers, and 

 volunteers of Ireland, with one three-pounder, and a detach- 

 ment of the Thirtieth Regiment. By the spirited exertions of 

 his troops, and by the Colonel's mounting the infantry occasion- 

 ally on the dragoon horses, he carried his corps thirty-six miles 

 without halting. [Having secured the American scouts to pre- 

 vent information being given.] He drove in Horrey's regiment. 

 They were pursued by Major Doyle with mounted militia. On 



seeing the enemy, Colonel T sounded a charge and dashe'd 



forwards. Marion's marque and men refreshed our soldiers. 

 Colonel T marched back, driving the cattle, &c. The ad- 

 mirable conduct of the officer who commanded can only be 

 equalled by the spirit with which his orders were executed." 

 (Rivington, April 17.) 



" This series of actions took place at Warnham Bridge, and 

 at Tydeman's house." 



In the war of posts, of desultory skirmishes, and of 

 inroads into the farming regions for plunder, to which 

 the struggle at the South was reduced, there was indeed 

 little opportunity for Thompson to win laurels. He 

 undoubtedly made use of his energetic and methodical 

 skill in doing what he could to organize and discipline 

 such unpromising materials as he had before him. It 

 is to be remembered that he was only accidentally on 

 the spot, and had no permanent command there. The 



