The men in Ethan’s company were amused and somewhat disgusted at the politicians who hung around Augusta and the military camps, attempting to use their popularity or even bribes to gain an advantage within the remnant of a state government. Election to political office seemed to Ethan one of the most worthless goals imaginable. He was only a little more tolerant of the Quaker merchants in Wrightsborough, who sought every opportunity to benefit financially from the conflict, knowing that their own lives or property were at little risk. Even within his small sphere of knowledge and influence, it had become clear to Ethan that those who were to determine the outcome of any military struggle were the relatively few who were willing to fight and, if necessary, sacrifice their own lives to prevail. He had already decided that he would be one of these.

The militiamen had little information about the broader aspects of the war, but understood hazily that there was a relatively dormant standoff in the northern colonies, that the British controlled most of the seaports, and that a very important contest for Charles Town was imminent. Aaron Hart told them that the professional British and Hessian armies, superbly trained to use the weapons of their day, usually prevailed in battles against Continental troops. George Washington had apparently decided to preserve his army and avoid any direct engagements, an approach that was also advisable for the militia when they faced a superior military force. Although they agreed that self-preservation was vital for their small group, the most dedicated militiamen were eager to lash out at personal enemies, to defend their home territory, and to demonstrate their personal courage and military prowess. They learned that their role would be to strike quickly, to orchestrate successful ambushes of moving enemy troops, to stand and fight until the battle was decided, but then to fade away to harass the British and fight again when surprise or circumstance was favorable. Some of the well-mounted militiamen who served under Clarke had already proven themselves equal to any warriors of the day—tough, daring, fast-moving, having lived with their weapons throughout their adult lives, and closely bound to their fellow horsemen by kinship or long friendships. Mounted on good horses, they were almost completely mobile, their movements and future locations often unpredictable even to themselves.

News about any kind of victory by the rebels made a resounding impact on the citizens of the area, as had Washington’s victories in brief skirmishes at Trenton and Princeton two years earlier. The general support of the populace gave the rebel militia one of their greatest advantages: intelligence about the enemy. Their victory at Kettle Creek had been a crucial factor in shaping the transient loyalty of wavering settlers, although this was largely wiped out at Briar Creek.

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