Too humane to cut his way through this crowd, he employed so much time in taking their verbal parole, that he could not reach the rear of the British line until the battle was ended.

These casualties disappointed this very interesting part of Greene's intended operations.[2] [Footnote 2: This account of the battle of Hobkirk's Hill varies in several particulars from that contained in the first edition.

In making the alteration the author has followed the letter of General Davie, published in Mr.
Johnson's biography of General Greene.

General Davie was known to the author to be a gentleman in whose representations great confidence is to be placed on every account, and his situation in the army enabled him to obtain the best information.] The artillery, however, played on the enemy with considerable effect; and the regiments of Gunby and Hawes advanced on the British front with resolution.

Some companies on the right of the Maryland regiment returned the fire of the enemy, and their example was followed by the others.