These orders were instantly obeyed, and the British line was broken.
[Footnote 57: Some of them formed afterwards, and renewed the action on Howard's right.] At the same moment the detachment of cavalry on the British right was routed by Washington.

The militia of Pickens, who rode to the ground, had tied their horses in the rear of Howard's left.

When the front line was broken, many of them fled to their horses, and were closely pursued by the cavalry, who, while the continental infantry were retiring, passed their flank, and were cutting down the scattered militia in their rear.

Washington, who had previously ordered his men not to fire a pistol, now directed them to charge the British cavalry with drawn swords.

A sharp conflict ensued, but it was not of long duration.