in 1780 the war was renewed in south carolina. charleston, after a forty days' siege, was forced to surrender. gates now took charge of the south, and also gave a sprinting exhibition at camden, where he was almost wiped off the face of the earth. he had only two troops left at the close of the battle, and they could not keep up with gates in the retreat. this battle and the retreat overheated gates and sowed the seeds of heart-disease, from which he never recovered. he should have chosen a more peaceful life, such as the hen-traffic, or the growth of asparagus for the market.