Thus reinforced, they made a gallant charge, drove the enemy out of the wood into the plain, and were pressing him still farther, when the General, content with the present advantage, called back his troops to their intrenchments.[44] [Footnote 44: The author received the account of this skirmish from the Colonel of the third Virginia Regiment, and from the Captains commanding the companies that were engaged.] In this sharp conflict, the loss of the Americans, in killed and wounded, did not exceed fifty men.

The British lost more than double that number.

But the real importance of the affair was derived from its operation on the spirits of the whole army.

It was the first success they had obtained during this campaign; and its influence was very discernible.

To give it the more effect, the parole the next day was Leitch; and the General, in his orders, publicly thanked the troops under the command of that officer, who had first advanced on the enemy, and the others who had so resolutely supported them.