CHAPTER IV.

Greene having, heretofore, acted in a secondary capacity, is now transferred to the command of the army of the south, where, left to follow the bent of his genius, his great character is more perfectly developed-condition of the southern department-character of the war, in that quarter-atrocities of the British-Buford's defeat, cruelties ofcauses of the sanguinary character of the war, in the south-marked with more of private passion, and individual adventure, than in the north-rich in partisan enterprise, and chivalrous exploit-character and conduct of general Marion-of general Sumpter-of general Pickins-of colonel Davie-the spirit of the country sustained, and the enemy greatly annoyed, by these four partisan officersreception of the British army, in Charlotte-defeat of colonel Ferguson, and its effects-singular enterprise of colonel White-Battle of Ramsaour's mill-description of the combatants-the romantic gallantry, displayed by the whigs-death of captain Falls avenged by Lis son, a youth of fourteen-deadly aim of the tory riflemen.

In those scenes, through which we have hitherto traced his military career, general Greene acted only in a subordinate capacity. The outline of his conduct being prescribed, by others, little else than the mere details, were committed to his own sagacity and judgment.

Thus situated, he was neither absolute master of his own actions, nor sole proprietor of his own fame. If he failed, in any point of service, the fault might not be entirely imputable to himself; and, if success

ful, no inconsiderable portion of the renown, passed to the credit of his superiors in command.

In this state of subordination and control, where the exercise of his talents had been, necessarily, restricted, it was scarcely possible for him, to have a competent knowledge of himself, much less, to manifest to the world, the boldness of his views, the extent of his resources, the energies of his character, and his general fitness, for the high duties of military command.

Secondary capacities appear to most advantage, when under the direction of superior intellects; and shine most brightly, with borrowed lustre. But true genius shrinks and withers, under the influence of supervision; and, to be really great, must be absolutely free. In no man's history is this truth more incontestibly established, than in that of him, whose life we are portraying.

We have, now, advanced to that period of the revolutionary war, in which the situation of Greene is about to experience an entire change. No longer acting in the vicinity, or subject to the immediate orders, of a superior, we are to behold him, in future, removed to a distance, and virtually invested with the supreme command, of a large section of the United States.

The theatre of war, on which he is, now, to exhibit himself, is, in extent, commensurate with abilities of the widest compass; and the difficulties and dangers, he is destined to encounter, are sufficiently formidable, to test, the fortitude and firmness, of the most unyielding spirit, and give ample employment to all the resources of talents and skill. Rarely has a leader of armies, in any country, been placed in a situation, so fearfully calculated, to measure the genius and try the soul.

Greatly to acquit himself, under such circumstances, must rank general Greene with the ablest captains, and inscribe his name, on the brightest roll of military glory.

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With a few rare and brilliant exceptions, the war, from its first commencement, in the south, had been, in that quarter, but little else, than a series of disasters, to the arms of freedom.

After a resistance highly honourable to them, Charleston and Savannah had both fallen; post after post had been carried, in rapid succession, and detachments cut off, in various places; under the generals, Lincoln and Gates, two whole armies had been captured or destroyed; the wealthy states, of South Carolina and Georgia, had submitted to the enemy who, triumphant at the past, and with prospects of

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continued success exceedingly flattering, were preparing to penetrate further to the north; and, to secure obedience to the conquerors, and encourage the disaffected Americans, numerous bodies of the royal forces, were strongly garrisoned, in well selected

stations.

To add to the miseries, and deepen, still further, the gloom of the times, the spirit of the people was shattered and depressed; from frequent interruptions, by being summoned to the field, or banished from their homes by hostile incursions, and a distressing uncertainty as to their future destinies, their habits of industry were alarmingly impaired; in consequence of a defective state of cultivation, the soil of the country was comparatively unproductive; and, by military exactions, and the devastating operations of war, the surplus of provisions, beyond the actual wants of the inhabitants, was entirely consumed. In every direction, as far as the hand of rapacity, and the unrelenting sword of violence could reach, that fair and valuable section of the Union, was marked with outrage, desolation, and blood.

Such being the melancholy condition of affairs, it may not be uninteresting, to pause, for a moment, to contemplate the causes, by which it was produced.

For various reasons, the war, in the south, was much more than ordinarily ferocious and sanguinary. The population of the states, being comparatively scattered and feeble, it appeared to be the object of the British commanders, to crush resistance, by acts, which, while they destroyed, by their violence, might terrify, by their enormity. Hence, seldom, in the annals of infuriated man, has the power of the victor been more flagrantly abused; or his sword more wantonly dyed in blood.

A single instance, out of many that might be adduced, may serve in confirmation of this truth. It is found in the savage massacre, known by the appellation of "Buford's defeat."

When, in the spring of 1780, Charleston fell, colonel Buford, commanding a small detachment of American regulars, was in the neighbourhood of Camden. On the advance of lord Cornwallis, he fell back, towards North Carolina. His march being slow, colonel Tarleton, who, with his legion, was despatched, in pursuit, overtook him, in the settlement of the Waxhaws, on the 29th of May.

Seeing himself greatly outnumbered, and in the power of his enemy, the American commander offered to surrender, on the same terms, that had been granted to the regulars, captured in Charleston. Not