The Carbon County news. [volume] (Red Lodge, Mont.) 1924-1931, 1929-05-09
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topped the ridge along which the Mill Gap road
runs and these selected lines of develop
ment for the American troops.
The main position the elevation just
south of the ravine in which camp established.
To its front for 800 yards there is scarcely per-
ceptibe slope downwards; beyond this the slope
is greater dropping off into shallow ravine 700
yards from the main position. To the rear of the
main position and Just west of the camp site is
elevation slightly higher than that of the main
position. This ridge continues across the road in
a south and southwest direction but at slightly
less elevation From either sides the terrain be-
tween the two visible under and through the
trees. The ground offered cover for either the
attack or the defense except such furnished
by the trees. The TANKS of both armies
posed as the terrain favorable in all directions
for the operations of mounted troops. The ravine
in which Morgan camped and one on the oppo-
site side of the road offered but little interior
with the movement of foot mounted troops
Morgan's plan of battle was to use~the Maryland
Continentals and the Virginia militia (of equal
worth to the Continentals many had served in
previous campaigns) in his main position on the
summit of the southermost ridge and astride the
Mill Gap road. Washingtons dragons the
number of So augmented by the 45 militia und7r
Mccall, were the main reserve posted in the
of the northernmost ridge where ground
sufficient to protect them from hostile oh
servation and fire and sufficiently "as to tie
able to charge the enemy should they be broken"
The militia to form interrupted line
the tanks in front, which position to be
held only temporarily, when they were to with
draw and reform on the TANKS of the main posi-
ton after reorganization had been effected ana
lend what assistance tney could as an additional
reserve.
At this time Towards Maryland and Delaware
Continentals consisted of 237 They
placed the left of the line, asride the Mill Gap
road. To their right were Captain Beate's and
Major Tripletts companies of Virginia militia,
der the command of the latter and totaling about
100 Captains Tate and Buchanan, with about
100 of the Augusta rifemen of Virginia, supported
the right of the line. In the advanced position,
which to be abandoned early in the fight
about 3OS militia from North Carolina. South Car
DINA and Georgia, under Colonel Pickens. These
troops situated to guard the TANKS Major
Mcdowell of the North Carolina volunteers was
posted the right flank, $50 yards in front of
Howard's line. Major Cunningham of the Georgia
volunteers the left flank at the dis
lance in front of Towards line. To the right OF
Major Mcdowell were posted the South Carolina
volunteers under Colonies Brannon and Thomas To
the left of Major Cunningham posted the
mainder of the South Carolina militia under Col
onel Hayes and Major Hammond The latter
manded Major McCas regiment, he being with
Colonel Washington.
From Pickens line of militia small parties of
rifemen were sent $50 yards farther to the front
to skrmsh with the enemy. Mcdowell command
ed those in the right sector Of the skrmsh line
and Cunningham, those in the left sector Patrols
covered the front and tanks to give warning of
Tarleton's approach
Tarleton broke camp at o'clock in the morn
Ing determined to engage the Americans before
they could cross the Broad or in case they made
an early march and continued their withdrawal
to strike them when astride the river.
When the British commander the DISPOSE
believed that he could make short work of them.
He had force of about 900 and although
he believed that Morgan's force totaed less than
1920 he felt that he could ignore the value of the
1000 militia and 800 backwoodsmen in Morgan S
army and make quick job of the 500 Continen-
tails and 100 cavalry. Deployng his troops along
the line of Morgans front he moved to the at
tack at about eight o'clock Driving in the front
line skirmshes under Cunningham and Mcdowell,
from whose fire 'Tarletons infantry had suffered
but little, he advanced against pickens' line of
militia which kept up fire by regiments for a
short time and then, according to their orders,
ratreated. The British line had still suffered but
little as it approached the Connentals and Vir-
ginians under Howard AS Towards men opened
fire the British advance temporarily checked
At this moment, Tarleon sent the two troops of
dragons, which he had posted on each end of
his line to guard his TANKS, into action. He now
had about $50 infantry in line, supported by two
guns (three-pounders) and was opposed by less
than $50 infantry in Towards line The militia
which had withdrawn to the tanks of Towards
line had not yet reformed and it was doubtful at
the moment whether they would be of any use
Tarletons dragons charged upon them and were
cutting them down when Washington counter