Subsequent operations
In South Carolina, Tarleton's British Legion were harried by Francis Marion, an American militia commander who practiced guerrilla warfare against the British, in order to deny resupply of food and horses, cause attrition and reduce reconnoitering. Throughout the campaigns, Tarleton was unable to capture Marion or thwart his operations. Marion's local popularity among anti-British South Carolinians ensured continual aid and comfort for the American cause. In contrast, Colonel Tarleton alienated the colonial citizens with arbitrary confiscations of cattle and food stocks.
At Camden, Tarleton's cavalry delivered the coup de grace against the Continental army when they charged into the rear of the Continental line. The Continental troops broke and fled, and were pursued for more than twenty miles. All the baggage and ordnance of the Continental army were captured, earning Tarleton a commendation from Cornwallis.
On 22 August, he was promoted to major in the 79th Regiment of Foot (Royal Liverpool Volunteers). He defeated Thomas Sumter at Fishing Creek, also called Catawba Fords, but was less successful when he encountered the same general at Blackstock's Farm in November 1780.
On 17 January 1781, Tarleton's forces were virtually destroyed by American Brigadier General Daniel Morgan at the Battle of Cowpens. Tarleton and about 200 men escaped the battlefield.
He was successful in a skirmish at Torrence's Tavern while the British crossed the Catawba River (Cowan's Ford Skirmish, 1 February 1781) and took part in the Battle of Guilford Courthouse in March 1781. Tarleton marched into Virginia with his men and Cornwallis to carry out a series of small expeditions, including a raid on Charlottesville, where the state government had relocated following the British occupation of the capital at Richmond. He was trying to capture Governor Thomas Jefferson and members of the Virginia General Assembly. The raid was partially foiled by the ride of Jack Jouett, with Jefferson and all but seven of the legislators escaping over the mountains. Tarleton destroyed arms and munitions and succeeded in dispersing the Assembly.
Tarleton was brevetted to lieutenant-colonel in the 79th Foot on 26 June 1781. After other missions, Cornwallis instructed Tarleton to hold Gloucester Point, during the Siege of Yorktown. On 4 October 1781, the French Lauzun's Legion and the British cavalry, commanded by Tarleton, skirmished at Gloucester Point. Tarleton was unhorsed, and Lauzun's Legion drove the British within their lines before being ordered to withdraw by the Marquis de Choisy. Lauzun's Legion suffered three Hussars killed with two officers and eleven Hussars wounded. They reported fifty British were killed or wounded, erroneously including Tarleton. The British surrendered Gloucester Point to the French and Americans after the surrender at Yorktown in October 1781. He returned to Britain on parole early in 1782.
