 Hogun 's command arrived at Charleston on March 13 , 1780 , which according to Lincoln gave " great spirit to the Town , and confidence to the Army . " The North Carolinians were immediately put to the task of defending the city , which was threatened with a siege by British General Henry Clinton in early March . Shortly after Hogun 's arrival , many of North Carolina 's militia present in the city began to return home because their enlistment terms ended on or about March 24 . The militiamen had only agreed to serve limited terms , and as they were not under Hogun 's direct command he was powerless to stop them leaving . 
