Sharpshooters at the Skirmish Line

Sharpshooters at the Skirmish Line

NPS Photo / Mike Puckett

The sharpshooters at the skirmish line waited until Tarleton's army got within shooting distance. Their orders were to slow Tarleton's advance with well-aimed rifle fire and then fall back to the militia second line. As the British came within range the militia delivered a deadly fire, dropping two-thirds of the officers, then funneled back through the Continental line.