Page "Battle of Camden" Paragraph 10

Both armies advanced at each other just after dawn.

The British troops opened the battle, when the right flank fired a volley into the militia regiments, causing a significant number of casualties.

They followed the volley up with a bayonet charge.

The militia, lacking bayonets, panicked and fled before the British regiments even reached them.

Only one company of militia managed to fire a volley before fleeing.

The panic quickly spread to the North Carolina militia, and they also broke ranks and fled.

Seeing his left flank collapse, Gates fled with the first of the militia to run from the field.

Within a matter of minutes, the whole American left wing had evaporated.

The Virginia militia ran away so quickly that they suffered only three casualties.