That officer had, on the evening that Lord Cornwallis marched from Camden, reduced the redoubt on the Wateree, captured the guard, and intercepted the escort with the stores.
This gleam of light cheered the dark gloom which enveloped his affairs but for a moment.

He was soon informed that this corps also was defeated, and entirely dispersed.
[Sidenote: August 18.] On hearing of the disaster which had befallen Gates, Sumpter began to retreat up the south side of the Wateree.

Believing himself out of danger, he had halted on the twenty-eighth, during the heat of the day, near the Catawba Ford, to give his harassed troops some repose.
At that place he was overtaken by Tarlton, who had been detached in pursuit of him on the morning of the 17th, and who, advancing with his accustomed celerity, entered the American camp so suddenly, as in a great measure to cut off the men from their arms.

Some slight resistance made from behind the wagons was soon overcome, and the Americans fled precipitately to the river and woods.

Between three and four hundred of them were killed and wounded; their baggage, artillery, arms, and ammunition were lost; and the prisoners and stores they had taken, were recovered.