Cornwallis, seconded by Rawdon, had set the example of ordering all men found in the rebel ranks after having sworn allegiance to the king, to be hung; his under-officers executed the command with zeal, and the Americans, of course, retaliated.

Ferguson's troops themselves had hung some of their prisoners.

[Footnote: Allaire's Diary, entry for Aug.

20th; also see Aug.2d.He chronicles these hangings with much complacency, but is, of course, shocked at the "infamous" conduct of the Americans when they do likewise.] All this was fresh in the minds of the Americans who had just won so decisive a victory.

They were accustomed to give full vent to the unbridled fury of their passions; they with difficulty brooked control; they brooded long over their own wrongs, which were many and real, and they were but little impressed by the misdeeds committed in return by their friends.