General Alexander’s Rearguard Action

"I found that General Howe with the Main Body [of] the Army was between me and Our Lines, and saw that [the] only Chance of Escapeing being all made prisoners, was to pass the Creek near the Yellow Mills, and in order to render this the more practicable I found it Absolutely Necessary to Attack a Body of Troops Commanded by Lord Cornwallis posted at the House near the Upper Mills; this I Instantly did, with about half of smallwoods first ordering all the other troops to make the best of their way thro’ the Creek, we Continued the Attack a Considerable time the Men haveing been rallied and the Attack renewed five or Six Several times, and were on the point of driveing Lord Cornwallis from his Station, but large [Succours] arriveing rendered it impossible to do more than to provide for Safety."