Being unable to storm the works or to invest them on all sides, Greene contented himself with lying before the place in the hope of being reinforced by militia, or of some event which might bring on an action in the open field.

With this view he retired a small distance, and encamped on Hobkirk's hill, about a mile and a half from the town.

While in this situation, he received information that Colonel Watson was marching up the Santee with about four hundred men.

A junction between these two divisions of the British army, could be prevented only by intercepting Watson while at a distance from Camden.

For this purpose, he crossed Sand-hill creek and encamped east of Camden, on the road leading to Charleston.