"Account of the Battle of Hobkirk's Hill as some call it, or Battle of Camden as called by others, tho' the ground on which it was fought is now (1810) called the Big Sand Hill above Camden.

"This Hill lies one mile & three-quarters from the Court House & from where the Gaol then stood. Over this hill runs the great Road leading from Charlotte in North Carolina to Charleston in South Carolina. It runs in a direct line from the top of the Hill past the Gaol (or where the Gaol then stood) and thro' the Town of Camden., nearly a due So course. It had been opened quite wide by Col. Joseph Kershaw a few weeks before the British came to Camden & made to correspond with the Streets of the town that it entered to wit 90 feet wide up to the Top of the Hill (which had an effect in sequel.) It was woody on each side of the road & in some places (near the town) very thick near the Hill & on the South side of it it was not so thick, but was more open.

"The Hill crosses the road about at right Angles, and extends about 500 yards to the west and about 800 yards to the East of the Road. At the E. end of the Hill is a Spring of fine water then called Martins now called Mortimer's Spring, which forms a very miry Branch that runs a S.E. course near a mile to a Stream of water called little Pinetree Creek which has a very boggy Swamp on each side of it this runs a South course about half a mile & empties into Big Pinetree Creek in an impassable Swamp or rather Mill Pond which runs about a S. or S. W. course until it passes the town, having a considerable Hill from 30 to 40 feet high all along between it & the Town, which Hill terminates & flattens down into level ground at about a parallel with the lower end of the Town.

"Lord Rawdon's Head Qrs were in Col. Joseph Kershaw's House on this Hill. His troops lay directly in front of him inside of a Stockage of about 4 or 500 yds. Square, supported by four redoubts, situate at the distance of about 2 or 300 yards from each angle of it. One of these redoubts was round the Gaol, from which the British frequently fired their cannon at our officers and others who out of curiosity came down the road to look at them. The trees had been cut down & lay very thick on this side of the town to prevent the approach of our Cavalry which -of course prevented their Horsemen taking our people that went so near to look at them.

"But this I apprehend had been stopped by Gen. Greene for I was informed by Col. Gunby & Capt. Smith who dined with me 5 miles below (or S. of) Camden a few days before the Battle that a cannon shot from T. Redoubt came very near killing some of our officers that had gone too near. It hit a small Brick oven behind which they had dodged.

"While the British lay in this situation, Gen. Greene with the American Army approached them. When he first came he encamped on the N. side of them on Hobkirk's Hill, staid but a very short time, perhaps not more than two days. (It was during this time that some of the officers went down in sight of the Town & were fired at as above mentioned. He whelled off with the American Army, went round the head of little Pinetree Creek & made a Bridge across Big Pinetree Creek three miles above Camden, came around and appeared below on the Southeast and southward of Camden."

This maneuver had an excellent effect. It alarmed the British very much: it threatened their mills (alias Col. Kershaw's Merchant Mills which they had taken possession of) from which most of their bread stuff was drawn, it divided their Forces, prevented their sending assistance or advice to Watson on Black River, to the Fort on Scot's Lake & Fort Motte which Gen.Marion and Col. Lee were then investing & took. It insulated Lord Rawdon himself & jeopardized his retreat.

Gen. Greene remained but a few days below Camden: but while there some of the Militia attached to him made an attempt to burn said Mills but failed in the attempt and retreated without any loss, but proceeded on to & took a Stockade Fort Commanded by Maj. William Down of the Royal Militia about 7 miles below Camden in which Downs a skillful and brave man in a bad cause & several of his best men were killed & the rest fled while the British Light Horse who had gone from Camden were attacking the attackers.

This party did not continue in possession of the Fort but left it in the lands of the British Light Horse and went on down to Scot's Lake to assist Marion.

Gen. Greene then or perhaps an hour or two before the capture of Down's Fort wheeled off, recrossed Pinetree Creek and came back again & encamped on Hobkirk's Hill. His artillery was not with him in these maneuverings it had been sent off beyond Lynches Creek under the care of Col. Carrington who acted as Quarter Master Gall. in the Southern Department.

Gen. Greene arrived at Hobkirk's at night & encamped on it in Battle Order, his right entending a short distance to the west of the Great Road and his left reaching to the E. end of the Hill near Martin's Spring. Here the Hill is of very easy ascent & this spring & the Branch that runs from it contained the only water that was to be found near the American Troops. From this end of the Hill a road led Off S. E. towards the Mill (then Kershaw's out of use) now Carter's, and another old obscure road directly towards the Town parallel to the Great Road. Capt. Kirkwood With his Light Infantry, being a remnant of the Delaware Troops, was posted here on or between these two roads a short & proper distance in front of the left, Capt. Smith with his Light Infantry (40 excellent men) on the right & two strong pickets were placed in front of the Army but the woods were so thick that a man could not be seen at 100 yards distance at noon day.

It was late in the evening on the 24th of April that Gen. Greene pitched his camp here, without artillery and apparently without cavalry or Militia; for Col. Washington With his cavalry & about 250 N. Car. militia under Col. Meade were encamped about 2 or 3 miles in the rear. In the night or early morning a deserter from the Americans went to the enemy & informed Lord Rawdon of Gen. Greene's situation.

This deserter did not know of Washington's & the Militia being in the rear. His Lordship immediately had the Redoubts all manned with Negroes and Tories and every man of his whole army, in the most silent and secret manner, without any drums, fife horn or any noise or general parade all went off as they got ready, the cavalry first, the men and officers- all on foot leading their horses, the infantry following in open order & trailed arms, taking down the valley in the S. E. corner of the town, in the opposite direction from where the American Troops lay, lest some of them might happen to be down & discover them marching out; this was about ten o'clock in the forenoon of the 25th April. The weather had been dry & it was a beautiful clear sunshiny day rather warm for the season of the year.

The British were soon behind the Hill on which their Head Quarters stood & of course well conceiled, they proceeded up along the side of the swamp until they arrived at Col. K's upper Mill (now Carter's) & thence along the Road or along the miry branch up to Martin's Spring at the E. end of Hobkirk's Hill. They had no doubt got in close Order before this time and their Cavalry (about 200 called the York Volunteers under Maj. Coffin) detached off to their left so as to fall into the Great Road a short distance in front of Hobkirk's Hill so as to attack our right while the main army turned our left.

The British marched on until discovered by Kirkwood who attacked and fought them with great resolution until overwhelmed, the British displayed to the left, which brought them upon our pickets by whom they were attack in turn, the British did not fire but pressed directly forward with charged Bayonets & drove our pickets in.

"Kirkwood's muskets gave the first alarm to the Americans, several of Whom were at the Spring cooking and washing and had to run a considerable distance before they got to their arms which were stacked in the very line they had to form. However, the most if not all of them did get to their arms & were regularly formed in battle array. The Virga. brigade with Gen. Huger at its head having under him Lieut. Cols. Campbell & Hawes, took the right, the Maryland Brigade led by Col. Williams, seconded by Col. Gunby & Lieut. Col. Ford & Howard occupied the left. Thus all the continentals consisting of four regiments much reduced in strength were disposed in one line, with the artillery (which had just come up) under Col. Harrison on the road in the center. The reserve consisted of the Cavalry under Col. Washington (Who being on parade)started at the firing of the first of Kirkwood's muskets and the North Carolina Militia under Col. Meade who also came up at the same time.

"Gen. Greene having his men now formed was much pleased with the opportunity so unexpectedly offered of a battle with the enemy not doubting that he would in a few hours be in Camden. He directed Col. Campbell and Ford to turn the enemy's flanks and ordered the entire regiments to advance with fixed bayonets upon him ascending the Hill and detached Col. Washington's cavalry to gain the rear."

The British when they first attacked near the Spring pressed direct1y forward & succeeded in turning our left. Their left had displayed towards our right undercover of thick woods & could scarcely be seen except by our pickets until they began to rise the Hill (which is about 150 or 60 yards from bottom to top). Their cavalry had reached the Great Road & advanced in close order & slow step up the hill directly in front of our cannon which had just arrived & opened on them in the broad road a well directed fire with Cannister & Grape did great execution & soon cleared the Road so that all their Doctors were sent to take care of the wounded. Washington's Cavalry coming up at this moment completed the rout of the York Volunteers took all the British Doctors or surgeons and a great many others (alas too many) Prisoners, more than one third of Washington's men were incumbered with Prisoners, who hindered their acting when necessary.

Here the Battle was equal or rather in our favour and only one Word a single word, & that only because it was spoken out of Season turned the fate of the Day.

Our left was some what turned or yielding, our Col. Ford was wounded but the men were neither killed nor prisoners. The left of the British at least their cavalry were routed, many killed and many prisoners. Lord Rawdon hearing the cannon, and seeing his horse dispersed was stunned & astonished beyond measure, ordered the Deserter to be hung & galloping up to the Scene of disaster was quickly surrounded by Washington's Horse and his sword demanded. One of his Aids received a severe wound from the sword of a dragoon. Lord R. is a man of uncommon Address. This was a critical moment. Although our left was giving way yet Gen. Huger on our right was gaining ground & was beginning to advance upon the enemy & Col. Gunby's Regt. of brave soldiers, veterans of the Maryland line had all got

to their arms were well formed & in good order, but too impatient waiting the word of Command some of them began to fire in violation of orders & seeing the British infantry up the Hill in front of them Col. Gunby suffered them to come up within the few paces & then ordered his men to charge without firing, those near him hearing the word first rushed forward, whereby the Regiment was moving forward in the form of a Bow. Col. Gunby ordered a “halt” until the wings should become straight, this turned the fate of the day. Previously being ordered not to fire & now ordered to halt, while the British were coming up with charged Bayonets, before the Col. could be understood & repeat the Charge the enemy were in among them & made them give way.

Lord Rawdon was surrounded neat the head of Regt. & saw the scene, & also that some of his cavalry had rallyed & with (his) infantry coming to his relief while he very politely bowed & seemed to acquise with the demand of the Dragoons around him, pretended that his sword was hard to get out of the Scabbard, feigned to endeavor to draw or unhook it for the surrender required until the party that took him were attacked and had to fly. Whether it was from that unbounded humanity that generally prevailed in the American Army and (although amiable & praiseworthy as it is yet) lost us many a Battle, or whether it is from a Respect they felt for a person of his appearance, Whether he amused them by his manners or why they offered him no personal violence or did not take him immediately off, it is not known; perhaps they thought the Day their own or they might have intended to parole him on the spot in which case a surrender of the sword (I suppose) would have been necessary. Whatever passed in their minds they had not long to consider or ruminate on it perhaps not two minutes. The scene was quickly changed Washington’s Dragoons were not attacked by horse & foot and the very prisoners that they had mounted behind them seized the Arms of their Captors & over came them. General Greene now ordered a Retreat & pushed on Washington's Cavalry to Saunders Creek which lay 4 miles in the rear to halt the troops & stop the straglers should there be any either from the militia or Regulars to make off; in this he succeeded; carrying off with him all the British Surgeons & several officers.

As above mentioned the artillery had just come up as the Battle began. The guns were merely unhooked from the Limbers or forewheels & let down to fire on the enemy. The horses were not unharnessed nor had the Boys that drove them dismounted, but only removed a short distance from the cannon and now seeing a general retreat of the American Army attempted to get off through the woods without going out into & along the road, they soon got them entangled among the trees & could not get along, but cut their horses & fled leaving the Limbers of both pieces of cannon in the woods where they were found by the British and taken. Under these circumstances Genl. G. galloped up to Capt. John Smith & ordered him to fall into the rear & save the cannon. Smith instantly came and found the artillery men hauling off the pieces with the Drag-Ropes, he and his men laid hold and off they went in a trot, but had not gone far until he discovered that the British Cavalry were in pursuit. He formed his men across the road, gave them a full fire at a short distance & fled with the guns as before. This volley checked the Horses & threw many of the riders; but they after some time remounted & pushed on again: Smith formed his men gave them another fire with the same effect & proceeded as before; This he repeated several times until they had got 2 or 3 miles from the field of Action, here one of Smith’s men fired or his gun went off by accident before the word was given which produced a scattering fire, on which the cavalry rushed in among than & cut them all to pieces. They fought like Bull-Dogs & were all killed or taken. This took up some time during which the artillery escaped. Smith had a Stout cut & trust & a very strong Arm, with which he did great execution, both in single & double combats, ie 2 or more on him at once, at length having not a man to support him, being overwhelmed with numbers he surrendered; he was taken prisoner & stripped of eveything he had on except his Shirt & his commission which hung round his neck in his Bosom. In this situation he was taken to the British Main Guard where he found Lieut. Trueman, one of our officers who had been wounded in the foot & taken prisoner. Ld Rawdon sent to enquire of them at what time our artillery & cavalry had come up, and their information saved the life of the deserter.

On the next day Capt. Smith was put in close confinement, locked up in Gaol without being informed what it was for. After lying there 24 hours it was announced to him by the Gaoler that he should be hung the next morning at 8 Oclock. He desired to know his crime & accuser but was not gratified. That night a deserter went out & informed Genl. Greene of his situation. Genl. Greene immediately sent in a Flag to know the truth of the tale, threatening retaliation. Ld. R. informed the officer bearing the flag that 2 or 3 women of the British Army had come from Guilford No Car since the Battle there & related that Capt. Smith had killed Col. Stewart of the King's Guards in cold Blood two hours after the Battle on his knees begging for mercy. This was found to be false.

In the heat & midst of the Battle at Guilford while the Americans & British Troops were intermixed With a charge of Bayonets, Smith & his men were in the throng killing guards & Granadiers like so many Furies Col. Stewart seeing the mischief Smith was doing made up to him through the crowd, dust and smoke unperceived & made a violent lunge at him with his small Sword, the first that Smith saw was he shining metal like lightning at this bosom he only had time to lean a little to the right, & lift up his left Arm so as to let the polished steel pass under it when the hilt struck his breast, it would have been through his Body but for the haste of the Col & happening to set his foot on the arm of a man Smith had just cut down, his unsteady step, his violent lunge & missing his aim brought him with one knee upon the dead man, the Guards came rushing up very throng, Smith had no alternative but to wheel round to the right & give Stewart a back handed Blow over or across the head on which he fell; his orderly sergeant attacked Smith, but Smith’s Sergeant dispatched him; a 2d attacked him Smith hewed him down, a 3r behind him threw down a cartridge & shot him in the back of the head, Smith now fell among the slain but was taken up by his men & brot off, it was found to be only a Buck Shot lodged against the Skull & had only stunned him. Upon these facts being stated & proved to the British they liberated Captain S. from Gaol & soon afterwards on their leaving Camden, they left him, & left in his care several of their officers who had been wounded in the late action with Genl. Greene.

# Since drawing the rough sketch of my letter I have seen Col. Lee's Memoirs of the War in the Southern Department (to which I would beg leave to refer you). I have made one and only one Quotation from it which you'll find duly marked in page 6&7 of this letter. I differ with him in a few particulars & but very few.

It seems to be necessary that I should inform you how I came by my knowledge in the premises.

I was born & raised in Camden. Am therefore well acquainted with the ground.

When the British appeared before Charleston in the latter end of 12/80 or beginning of 1/81 I with others went as a Volunteer to assist in the defense of the City; was there during the seige & until the Town surrendered by capitulation & under one of the Articles I was paroled to Camden, resided in the family of Col. Jo. Kershaw, & with them continued in Camden until the British made a Garrisoned post.

At Genl. Greene’s defeat a number of the American officers were quartered on us in our House & family, whereby I became acquainted with Capt. Smith (afterward Col. Smith) & several other of the officers. I also found it necessary to cultivate an acquaintance with several of the British officers.

After they had made Camden a Garrisoned Town they ordered all the families out. I went & resided on a plantation 5 miles below Camden being allowed to come up often into the Town on business, but had always to go to Head Quarters for a pass to go out. It continued so until the British left Camden. I then removed up into Camden again, where I found Capt. Smith, Lieut Trueman of our Army wounded, & several British wounded officers and Doctors, Captain Smith, the wounded soldiers of both parties, the British officers after the Battle before they went away, several of the Inhabitants about the place and several of Greene's officers whom I conversed with that I received my information. I went over the field of Battle a few days after it on purpose to look over the ground & besides at the end of the War Capt. Smith & myself entered into a co-partnership & were concerned & lived together many years in building Saw Mills low down on Lynches Creek & carrying on the Sawing & refting of lumber to Georgetown & we often talked over these matters. So that I apprehend the above is correct as far as my memory serves me.

I herewith hand a little rough Map tho' it is a very imperfect one, yet it may give you a better idea of the situation or of plans than you could have without.

To I am with great Respect yours

Genl. W. H. Davie Samuel Mathis

26 June 1819