Lt. Gen. Cornwallis began his pursuit of Brig. Gen. Daniel Morgan as soon as he heard of the British defeat at Cowpens. While he marched northward from Winnsborough towards North Carolina, bands of Patriots rode as near to him as they dared, keeping an eye on the British and taking advantage whenever they could.

After crossing Lee's Creek, several of his officers were captured while they were making breakfast. Daniel Stinson wrote that the two officers "loitered in the rear, suspecting no danger until they were pounced on by Jimmy Johnson and Capt. John Mills and taken prisoner."

One of the British officer was Maj. McArthur, a cavalry officer. He and the other officer were exchanged for eleven militiamen from the Chester District.