So excessive had been the sufferings of his army from the want of provisions, that many of the men fainted on the march, and it had become absolutely necessary to allow them some repose and refreshment.

The expiration of the time for which the Virginia militia had been called into service, furnished an additional motive for suspending the pursuit.
At this place, the bold and happy resolution was taken to carry the war into South Carolina.
The motives which induced the adoption of this measure were stated by himself in a letter communicating his determination to the Commander-in-chief.

It would compel Lord Cornwallis to follow him, and thus liberate North Carolina, or to sacrifice all his posts in the upper parts of South Carolina and Georgia.
The Southern army amounted to about seventeen hundred effectives.

That of Lord Cornwallis is understood to have been still less numerous.

So impotent were the means employed for the conquest and defence of states which were of immense extent and value.
This unexpected movement gave a new aspect to affairs, and produced some irresolution in the British general respecting his future operations.