Following the important defeat of gathering Loyalists at Kings Mountain, Cornwallis retreated back to Winnsboro, South Carolina, where he engaged in attempts to suppress the Patriot militia that were harassing his supply and communication lines.

Sumter made similar troubles in the backcountry, where Cornwallis sent Major James Wemyss with the 63rd Regiment and some Loyalist dragoons to find him.

His officers had ordered their men to lie on their arms, to keep their fires burning, and had specific instructions about how to form up in case of attack.

After twenty minutes of battle, the British retreated, leaving their wounded, including Major Wemyss, on the field; the patriots won.

Following the British failure, Lord Cornwallis recalled Tarleton to instead go after Sumter, who he believed was preparing an attack on Ninety Six.