When
General Gates was approaching
Camden in 1780 he sent
General Sumter with a detachment to intercept a convoy of stores passing from Ninety-six to
Rawdon's camp at
Camden.
Sumter was successful.
He captured forty-four wagons loaded with clothing and made a number of prisoners.
On hearing of the defeat of
Gates,
Sumter continued his march up the
Catawba River and encamped (Aug. 18) near the mouth of
Fishing Creek.
There he was surprised by
Tarleton, and his troops were routed with great slaughter.
More than fifty were killed and 300 were made prisoners.
Tarleton recaptured the
British prisoners and all the wagons and their contents.
Sumter escaped, and in such haste that he rode into
Charlotte, N. C., without hat or saddle.