THE TOWN OF MOUNT PLEASANT. 555 



Roberts, who was mortally wounded, lived hut a few minutes. Seven- 

 teen others were wounded, several of whom died. Lieut. -Colonel 

 Thompson, of Marshall's; Capt. Watson, of Greaton's; Capt. -Lieut. 

 Farley, of Wesson's; Lieut. Burley, of Tupper's; Lieut. Maynard, of 

 Greaton's; Ensign Fowler, of Nixon's; Ensign Bradley, of Bigelow's; 

 with eighty-nine others, were taken prisoners. The enemy left three 

 men dead on the field, and a captain of grenadiers was wounded in the 

 hip, and a lieutenant of infantry in the thigh. The British, in their ac- 

 count of their action, acknowledged that they had five men killed, and 

 eighteen wounded. Lieut.-Colonel Badlam, with the relief for the lines, 

 was at the time of the action far advanced on his march ; but not within 

 reach of those engaged. 



One Mayhew, a pedler, well known in Massachusetts, was of this de- 

 tachment ; he made off up the road, but finding the horse rushing on, 

 he struck off into the snow, almost up to his hips. Two of the enemy's 

 horse turned in his track after him; and, gaining fast upon him, he asked 

 them if they would give him quarter; they replied, "Yes, you dog, we 

 will quarter you." This was twice repeated, when Mayhew, finding them 

 inflexible, determined to give them one shot before he was quartered ; 

 and, turning round, discharged his piece at the first horseman, who 

 cried out, " The rascal has broken my leg ; " when both of them turned 

 their horses round, and went off, leaving Mayhew at liberty to tread back 

 his path to the road, and come off." a 



Thacher, in his Military Journal, thus describes the action : — 



"February, 1780, Lieutenant Colonel Thompson had the command of about 

 two hundred and fifty men, as an advanced party, on our lines. He was in- 

 structed to be constantly alert, and in motion, that the enemy might not be able 

 to take advantage, and form a plan for his destruction. It happened, however, 

 that a detachment of British, Hessians, and mounted refugees, were discovered 

 advancing towards him ; but on account of a very deep snow obstructing the 

 road, they marched slowly, and Col. Thompson resolved to defend his ground. 

 The- enemy's horse first advanced and commenced skirmishing till their infantry 

 approached, when a sharp conflict ensued, which continued about fifteen min- 

 utes ; some of our troops manifested symptoms of cowardice, and gave way. 

 The enemy secured the advantage, and rushed on with a general shout, which 

 soon decided the contest. The Americans lost thirteen men killed, and Captain 

 Roberts, 6 being mortally wounded, soon expired; seventeen others were 



a Heath's Mem., p. '229. 



b It was afterwards related by Isaac van Wart, that the day previous to this fatal occur- 

 rence, Captain Roberts, in a conversation with him. mentioned that his father had been 

 killed in the old French war, and he was sure he should fall in the present struggle. He 

 fell, alas ! not by the hand of a foe, but by one of his own countrymen, a refugee named 

 Hammond, who, as he recognized this brave officer, exclaimed, " Now I will give it vou ! " 

 and fired with deadly effect. His body was found after the conflict, with one of his fingers 

 barbarously bitten for the purpose of obtaining a gold ring. His murderers had also inhu- 

 manly placed their feet upon the body to draw off his boots. It may be as well to mention 

 here that Col. Norton was promoted for his services on this occasion.— Editor. 



