Tarltons dragoons advance and are met by skirmishers. The skirmishers, were Virginia riflemen, who used the trees to steady their weapons, and leveled the dragoons with deadly precision. They then reloaded while racing through the forest, getting off another shot, until they reached the safety of the militia. The dragoons then report to Tarlton who forms his battle line. Tarlton has overestimated his enemies strength by double, yet he believes he can sweep them from the field as he had done at Waxhaws.
Tarlton troops advance when they run into the line of militia reenforced by the riflemen. The militia with the encouragement of the officers hold off until the last possible moment, and then fire hitting the forward officers. The British reform ranks, and continue to advance, this time with bayonets levels. Fearing the British jugernaut the militia surries to the rear in an organized fashion, and Talton sends his dragoons in after the retreating militia.
The dragoons are almost upon the fleeing militia, when Col. William Washingtons’s dragoons meet the opposing mounted British force and a meele evolves. The feared mounted troops then occupy each others interests.
Some militia are still in fear and continue to retreat. Meanwhile the main British force has engaged the steady Contenentials from Maryland and Delaware.