The dispatch of Cornwallis to which he refers, was dated at Winnsboro' on the 9th of the month.
It was on the night of the 10th, as we see by Tarleton's own statement, that he commenced the close and earnest pursuit of Marion.

The distance from Winnsboro' to the 'wood-yard', even allowing that the instincts and information of the express should bring him directly upon the trail of the Legion, would have employed him fully two days to overcome.

These two days would have brought him to the close of the twelfth, up to which period, had Tarleton continued the chase, he might have enjoyed the satisfaction of shaking hands with his antagonist in his defences at Benbow's Ferry.

There, at the first proper position in which he might, with any hopes of success, oppose his adversary, had Marion taken his stand.

There, having entrenched himself, he was busy in bringing together his forces.