His men demanded a respite to go and see their families.
He consented, with some reluctance, for the business of the campaign was only beginning to open itself before him.

They promised him, as usual, to return in season; but remained so long absent, that, for the first time, he now began to doubt and despair of them.

This feeling was not natural with him.

It was probably only due now to some derangement of his own health, some anxiety to achieve objects which presented themselves prominently to his mind.

He had probably heard of the advance of General Greene, who, having succeeded to Gates, was pressing forward with fresh recruits, and the remnant of the fugitives who survived, in freedom, the fatal battle of Camden.