Major Ward’s. Two days later, Major Ward overtook the unit and complained that some of his personal property had disap.peared. "We were searched and Mr. Ward’s goods found with James Berry and John Harris who were whipped. The same were condemned to ten lashes for disobeying the officer of the day on Monday." Harris deserted the next day and Berry was sent to prison.

The company crossed Dan River in North Carolina on March 8. Houston wrote in his diary, "At this river some mean cowards threatened to return." Next day he reports one man deserted. The contingent joined General Green the next day and fought with credit in the Battle of Guilford on March 15. In the battle, the diary reports they were ordered to "Take trees," an order promptly executed though there apparently were not enough trees. "Our brigade major, Mr. Williams, fled." After withstanding several assaults from the British in.fantry, they were assaulted by light horse. "Were obliged to run, and many were sore chased and some were cut down." The American force retreated 14 miles and Houston records, "Through darkness and rain and want of provisions we were in distress. Some parched a little corn." Early in the morning after the battle the men were "decamped and marched through the rain till we arrived at Speedwell furnace where Green had retreated from Guilford town. We met many of our company with great joy, particularly Colonel McDowell." That evening, "Orders were to draw provisions and ammunition to be in readiness, which struck panick in the minds of many."

However, there was no further contact with the enemy at this time. Cornwallis, having found no support from the civilian population, was ordered back to his ships at Wilmington, a course which soon took him to the surrender of the British army at Yorktown.

Back to Houston’s diary, the Rockbridge company, plead.ing shortage of blankets and clothing, began its return home, recrossing the Dan River on March 21. "A little afterwards many went to a tavern, where some got drunk and quarreled." Continuing homeward, March 21, "We paid Murphy one dollar a man for horses to carry us over Goose creek." March 22, "My brother and I hired Mr. Rountree’s horses, and his son came with us to Mr. Lambert’s, when, after he received forty.three dollars, he returned. We eat with Mr. Lambert and paid him ten dollars each. I bought five books from him and paid