In the flush of victory, he paid little attention to the actions of his men, who slew some of the wounded and raided nearby plantations owned by prominent Whigs. The dragoons looted them and even abused some of the women, including Lady Colleton, the mistress of one of the largest and most beautiful homes. Major Ferguson was so irate and disgusted that he ordered the guilty dragoons to be lined up and executed, but Tarleton interceded and the guilty men were, instead, arrested and sent to Charles Town, where they were publicly whipped. This incident drove a wedge of rivalry and animosity between Tarleton and Ferguson, two young and extremely ambitious officers.

An expert on promulgating news of his exploits, Tarleton was soon known among the British and Americans, based on his daring adventures, his intrepid leadership in battle, his surprisingly rapid and sustained movements, and the brutality with which he permitted his dragoons to treat adversaries. He and Ferguson received reinforcements and moved rapidly to occupy both sides of the Cooper River, closing Charles Town’s last access to the outside world.

General Clinton could hardly believe that the Americans would permit themselves to be taken, and had been certain that Washington would send a large army from Virginia to relieve the encircled city. He ordered Cornwallis to scout the approaches to Charles Town, and Banastre Tarleton was given this assignment. Sure enough, a Continental force under Colonel Anthony White had joined 350 other troops commanded by Colonel Abraham Buford, and the survivors of Monck’s Corner, under Colonel Jamieson and Colonel William Washington, a cousin of the commander in chief. This combined force captured an officer and seventeen men under Tarleton’s command, camped at a place called Lenud’s Ferry, and prepared to force open a pathway for the relief of Charles Town.

Tarleton had only 150 men under his immediate command, but he never hesitated when he learned of the location of his captured men. Moving swiftly, his dragoons attacked immediately, once again catching his adversaries by surprise. He later described the action:

“The Americans were totally unprepared, resistance and slaughter soon ceased. Five officers and thirty-six men were killed and wounded. All horses, arms, and accoutrements of the Americans were captured. Colonels White, Washington, and Jamieson, along with some officers and men, availed themselves of their swimming to take their escape, while many who wished to follow their example perished in the river. The British dragoons lost two men and four horses in the action, but returning to Lord Cornwallis’s camp the same evening, upwards of twenty horses expired with fatigue.”