The proposal was as promptly accepted
as it had been made, and the troops were arrayed for the purpose. The
eagerness of their leader prevented the preparations necessary to insure
success, and the horse, receiving a destructive fire as they advanced,
were thrown into additional confusion. Both Lawton and his more juvenile
comrade fell at this discharge. Fortunately for the credit of the
Virginians, Major Dunwoodie reentered the field at this critical
instant; he saw his troops in disorder; at his feet lay weltering in
blood George Singleton, a youth endeared to him by numberless virtues,
and Lawton was unhorsed and stretched on the plain. The eye of the
youthful warrior flashed fire. Riding between this squadron and the
enemy, in a voice that reached the hearts of his dragoons, he recalled
them to their duty. His presence and word acted like magic. The clamor
of voices ceased; the line was formed promptly and with exactitude; the
charge sounded; and, led on by their commander, the Virginians swept
across the plain with an impetuosity that nothing could withstand, and
the field was instantly cleared of the enemy; those who were not
destroyed sought a shelter in the woods. Dunwoodie slowly withdrew from
the fire of the English who were covered by the trees, and commenced the
painful duty of collecting his dead and wounded.
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