In his youth he had a great passion for the sex, which led him into frequent difficulties.
These, though never very serious, he most seriously relates.

He was brave, and ambitious of distinction.

This ambition led him to desire a command of cavalry rather than of infantry.

But he was no rider--was several times unhorsed in combat, and was indebted to the fidelity of his soldiers for his safety.* On one occasion his escape was more narrow from a different cause.

He gives us a ludicrous account of it himself.
Crossing the swamp at Lynch's Creek, to join Marion, in the dark, and the swamp swimming, he encountered the bough of a tree, to which he clung, while his horse passed from under him.