The motives assigned by himself for passing through this barren country were, the necessity of uniting with Caswell, who had evaded the orders repeatedly given him to join the army, the danger of dispiriting the troops, and intimidating the people of the country, by pursuing a route not leading directly towards the enemy, and the assurances he had received that supplies would overtake him, and would be prepared for him on the road.
[Sidenote: August 13.] These assurances were not fulfilled; and, the country being still more barren than had been anticipated, the distress of the army was extreme.

The soldiers subsisted on a few lean cattle found in the woods, and a very scanty supply of green corn and peaches.

Encouraged by the example of their officers, who shared all their sufferings, and checked occasional murmurs, they struggled through these difficulties, and, after effecting a junction with General Caswell and with Lieutenant Colonel Porterfield,[28] the army reached Clermont, sometimes called Rugely's mills, on the 13th of August.

Possession was taken of this place without any opposition from Lord Rawdon, who, on the approach of the American army, drew in his out-posts, and assembled all his forces at Camden.[29] [Footnote 28: This valuable officer was pressing forward to Charleston when that place surrendered.

Continuing to advance, he was within one day's march of Colonel Buford, when that officer was defeated.