This stratagem had not been employed more than three days, before General Marion was on the point of falling a sacrifice to it.

He advanced on the 10th before day, with five hundred militia, to attack Lt.-Col.

Tarleton (who had notice of his approach), and arrived within two miles of his post, when a person of the name of Richardson discovered to him his misconception of the British force." But, as we have seen, Marion's advance upon Tarleton was only the continuation of the pursuit which he began under the impression that the latter was still forcing his way to Camden with the small force with which he had crossed the Santee.

Of the descent of the legion from above, he knew nothing, and the three days' strategy of Tarleton were wasted upon him.

The caution of the British Colonel in all this time might have been spared.