The Battle of Long Canes, Retreat and Aftermath

Retreat and Aftermath: Clarke’s overconfident Patriot dismounted and hastily advance across a small rise that had blocked their view of Lt. Col. Allen’s encampment. The Patriots raced in with muskets and were stunned to see hundreds of startled men, including red-coated Provincial Troops, hurriedly fixing bayonets, forming lines and preparing to fire. The Loyalists counterattack quickly caused a chaotic retreat by the Patriots, of up to three miles, with wagons and plundered livestock abandoned as night fell. The larger Patriot force never arrived. The Patriots took heavier losses, including serious injuries to Clarke and other officers. Most narrowly escaped, although causality accounts do vary here. Despite this Patriot setback, shortly afterward Col. Andrew Pickens renounced his parole and, a month later, commanded the Patriot Militia at the Battle of Cowpens some ninety-five miles to the north, a victory for the Patriots. The tide of the war was again turning towards independence for the colonies.