Ash, unused to the stratagems of war, was so completely engaged by the manoeuvres in his front, that Lieutenant Colonel Prevost was almost in his camp before any intelligence of his approach was received.

The continental troops under General Elbert were drawn out to oppose him, and commenced the action with great gallantry; but most of the militia threw away their arms and fled in confusion.

As they precipitated themselves into the swamp and swam the river, not many of them were taken.

General Elbert and his small band of continental troops, aided by one regiment of North Carolina militia, were soon overpowered by numbers, and the survivors were compelled to surrender themselves prisoners of war.

The killed and taken amounted to between three and four hundred men.