Some of Armand's cavalry being wounded by the first fire, threw the others into disorder, and the whole recoiled so suddenly that the first Maryland regiment, composing the front of the column was broken, and the whole line thrown into consternation.

From this first impression, the raw troops never recovered.

The light infantry, however, particularly Porterfield's corps, behaved so well as to check the advance of the British.
Unfortunately, their gallant commander received a mortal wound, which compelled him to leave his regiment.

Yet a part of it kept its ground; and, with the aid of the legion infantry, stopped the British van; upon which order was restored to the American army.
The officers were immediately employed in forming a line of battle in front.

The Maryland division, including the troops of Delaware, were on the right, the North Carolina militia in the centre, and the Virginia militia on the left.
In this rencounter some prisoners were made, from one of whom Colonel Williams drew the information that the British army, consisting of near three thousand men, commanded by Lord Cornwallis in person, was in full march five or six hundred yards in front.