-- Between this place and Camden
they fell in with Gen. Caswell, at the head of about seven hundred
North Carolina militia, whose object had been the same, and whose retreat
became equally imperious. At Camden these two corps unfortunately separated;
Caswell filed off to Pedee, and Buford pursued the road to Salisbury.
This measure was accounted for by the want of correct intelligence
of Tarleton's prompt and rapid movements, who was in full pursuit
with three hundred cavalry, and each a soldier of infantry behind him. --
Neglecting Caswell and his militia, the pursuit was continued after Buford
to the Waxhaw. Finding he was approximating this corps, he despatched a flag,
saying he was at Barclay's with seven hundred men, and summoned them
to surrender on the terms granted to the garrison in Charleston.
Buford immediately laid the summons before a council of his officers
with three distinct propositions from himself: -- Shall we comply
with Tarleton's summons? Shall we abandon the baggage,
and, by a rapid movement, save ourselves? or, shall we fortify ourselves
by the waggons, and wait his approach?
The first and second were decidedly rejected by the unanimous
voice of the council, declaring it to be incompatible with
their honour as soldiers, or the duty they owed their country,
either to surrender or abandon the baggage on the bare statement of Tarleton.
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