off their comrades retreated, but found time to bury poor Vardell under a clay root and symptoms of panic and a faltering response to the order to charge. But few obeyed with the stern alacrity they were wont to welcome it. Many obeyed not at all. Again driven back, the stern old warrior shouted his rally and ordered his men to stand to their duty. But about fifteen came up to the call. They had originally gone into the fight against superior numbers, and the Tories strongly posted in the swamp, which position they still maintained. Watson was mortally wounded by a ball through the hip while loading his rifle behind a tree. William Butler then assumed the command, giving his lieutenancy to John Corley, and, the danger of the party requiring a resort to desperate measures, placed him in rear with an order to cut down the first man that gave way. It happened that Joseph Corley, among others, was about to give way, which would have left the small remnant of the Whigs to certain destruction. John Corley, true to his instructions, with drawn sword menaced his brother with instant death unless he returned to his post. Joseph did return and behaved well afterwards.
Vardell had been killed, and before his breath left him he begged his comrades not to let his body fall into the hands of the Tories. The wounded Watson, lying between
