But under this imposing exterior, lurked a mass of concealed discontent, to which every day furnished new aliment, and which waited only for a proper occasion to show itself.
The people of the lower parts of South Carolina, though far from being united, were generally attached to the revolution, and had entered into the war with zeal.

They were conducted by a high spirited and intelligent gentry, who ardently sought independence as a real and permanent good.
Several causes had combined to suspend the operation of this sentiment.

Many of their leaders were prisoners; and the brilliant successes of the British arms had filled numbers with despair.

Others were sensible of the inutility of present resistance; and a still greater number, fatigued and harassed with militia duty, were willing to withdraw from the conflict, and, as spectators, to await its issue.
To compel these men to share the burdens of the war, was to restore them to their former friends.
Late in March, General Washington had obtained the consent of congress to reinforce the southern army with the troops of Maryland and Delaware, and with the first regiment of artillery.

This detachment was to be commanded by the Baron De Kalb, a German veteran who had engaged early in the service of the United States.
Such, however, was the deranged state of American finances, and such the depression of public credit, that these troops could not be put immediately in motion.