In a few weeks after the capture of the city, the British were in peaceable possession of the space between these limits, from the seaboard to the mountains.
They had few opponents--an isolated body of continentals, a small squad of militia, for the first time drilling for future service, or a little troop of horse--and these were quickly overcome.

On these occasions the British were generally led by Lieutenant-Colonel Tarleton.

This officer acquired for himself an odious distinction in his progress through the South in the campaigns which followed.

He was rather an active than a skilful commander.

Rapid in his movements, he gave little heed to the judicious disposition of his troops, and aiming more at impressing the fears of his enemy, than overcoming him by science, his chief successes were the result of the panic which his surprises and his butcheries inspired.