As the day dawned they reached Musgrove's Ford, on the Enoree, having gone forty miles.

Here they hoped to find a detachment of tory militia; but it had been joined by a body of provincial regulars, the united force being probably somewhat more numerous than that of the Americans.

The latter were discovered by a patrol, and the British after a short delay marched out to attack them.

The Americans in the meantime made good use of their axes, felling trees for a breastwork, and when assailed they beat back and finally completely routed their assailants.

[Footnote: Shelby's account of this action, written in his old age, is completely at fault; he not only exaggerates the British force and loss, but he likewise greatly overestimates the number of the Americans--always a favorite trick of his.