GENERAL GREENE.

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the strength of the army might have been destroyed, and Greene, no longer covered with light troops, would have fallen an easy victim to Cornwallis.

3. The burden of the retreat, therefore, fell upon Williams, and nobly did he bear it Scarcely a single man was killed or captured, in the face of an active, energetic and superior enemy, whose van for days was constantly in sight of the retiring

rear.

4. Having crossed the Dan, Greene rested his army and recruited. Being reinforced, he thought he could venture an engagement with Cornwallis, which he did in the battle of Guilford Court House, on the 18th of February, 1781. In this fight the first Maryland regiment checked the left wing of the enemy, but the second, which had just been raised, fled.

5. The battalion of guards, which had turned the second Maryland, was now attacked by Col. Howard. Like a torrent the old Maryland regiment broke through their ranks, driving them headlong from the field with terrific slaughter.

6. To save his favorite corps from utter annihilation, and to arrest the progress of the pursuers, Cornwallis was compelled to open his artillery upon

Questions.-3. Upon whom did the burden of the retreat fall? 4. Where did Greene rest and recruit? What battle did he venture? 5. Describe the charge of Howard's battalion? 6. What was Cornwallis compelled to do?

them, although every discharge swept through his own men. The Maryland brigade lost in this fight one hundred and fifty-four officers and men. The British General lost nearly one-third of his men.

7. The enemy remained masters of the field, but the victory was almost as destructive to Cornwallis as a defeat. George Fox, in the British House of Commons, said of it, "another such victory will ruin the British army."

8. Six days afterward, February 25th, Greene was surprised at Hobkirk's hill. The first Maryland regiment, worn down by sufferings, emaciated from the scantiness of their food, and brought suddenly to a charge when only half-formed, was seized with panic and fled. They rallied, but too late to retrieve the day.

9. Notwithstanding the defeat at Guilford Court House, the Americans succeeded in gaining possession of all the strongholds in the south, with the exception of Charleston and Ninety-Six. This latter post Greene now hastened to invest.

10. Learning that Lord Rawdon was approaching at the head of two thousand men to relieve Ninety-Six, Greene determined to attempt it by assault. The resistance was desperate and successful, and Greene was forced to retire.

Questions.-7. What is said of victory? What did George Fox say in parliament? 8. What is said of Hobkirk's hill? 9. What did the Americans succeed in gaining? 10. What is said of Ninety-Six.

EUTAW SPRINGS.

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CHAPTER XIV.

BATTLE OF EUTAW SPRINGS-Disposition of the Troops -Maryland Line charges the Buffs-Desperate Struggle-Marylanders Complimented on the Field -State Threatened with Invasion-La Fayette in Baltimore-Defence of the Bay—Washington's Design-Washington at Annapolis.

1. On the 21st of August, Greene broke up his encampment, and hastened to the south to seek the enemy now under the command of Lieut. Col. Stewart. He overtook them at Eutaw Springs.

2. Greene advanced in two lines-the militia in front, the continentals in the rear. The Maryland brigade under Col. Williams, seconded by Lieut. Col. Howard, was on the left wing.

3. The militia advanced with spirit, and opened a heavy fire upon the enemy, which was soon briskly returned; but they maintained their ground until the British troops pressed close upon them.

4. The North Carolina troops were immediately ordered up to cover their retreat and check the advance of the enemy. This corps, consisting of newly raised regiments never before in action, pushed forward in good style and the conflict be

came warmer.

Questions.-1. When did Greene return south? Where did he overtake the enemy? 2. What was the position of the troops? 3. What is said of the militia? 4. What, of the North Carolina militia?

5. Greene now brought up the Maryland and Virginia lines, which advanced with a shout, and poured in a destructive fire upon the enemy. Stewart called up his reserve; the North Carolinians began to fall back, when Greene ordered the Marylanders and Virginians to charge with . the bayonet.

6. At trailed arms, cheering vehemently, these two gallant brigades, led on by Williams, Howard and Campbell, rushed upon the enemy heedless of the close and deadly fire, which was repeatedly poured in upon them, as they advanced at a rapid pace. The shock was terrible.

7. Howard's regiment was received by the Buffs, an Irish corps, which had just joined the army; and here the fiercest struggle ensued. Neither would yield; but, crossing bayonets their ranks mingled together, opposing files sank down, each pierced with the bayonet of his antagonist.

8. Thus they were found, grappled in death and transfixed together upon the field of the slain, marking the spot where the Marylanders and Buffs had met in deadly conflict. The officers fought hand to hand. So bloody a strife could not continue long. The rest of the British line gave way, and the gallant Buffs, unable to maintain the conflict with the veteran Marylanders,

Questions.-5. Whom did Greene now bring forward? 6. De scribe the charge? 7. By whom was Howard's regiment received? 8. What is said of this struggle? Who gave way?

MARYLANDERS COMPLIMENTED.

broke and fled.

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Greene rode up and complimented the Marylanders and their commander in the midst of the action.

9. The victory was complete, and the British were compelled to retreat. Having obtained an unassailable position, the pursuers were recalled, bringing with them three hundred prisoners and two cannons, one of which was captured by Lieut. Duval, of the Maryland line.

10. Greene attributed his success to the free use of the bayonet by the Maryland and Virginia troops. The thanks of congress were voted to each of the corps engaged.

11. The spirit of the hostile army was broken, and the royal supremacy in the south may be said to have terminated, overturned in a great part by the bayonets of Maryland.

12. Whilst the Maryland line was thus gloriously occupied in the south, its native State seemed, for a time, threatened with invasion. Arnold, the Traitor, had been detached to Virginia, at the head of an active body of British troops. Cornwallis hastened into Virginia, and forming a junction with the forces there, took the command of the whole upon himself.

13. La Fayette was at once dispatched by General Washington to Virginia, with a small

Questions.-8. What did Greene do? 9. What is said of the victory? 10. To what did Greene attribute the victory? 11. What is said of the hostile army? 12. What invasion threatened Maryland? 13. Who was despatched to make head against Cornwallis?