The Swamp Fox

   

  Francis Marion

       Francis Marion was born on the Marion family plantation in Berkley County in the year 1732. He began his military career shortly before his 25th birthday and on January 1, 1757, was recruited by Captain John Postell to serve in the French and Indian war. Serving under Captain William Moultrie in 1761, Marion campaigned against the Cherokee.

       In 1775, he was an associate of the South Carolina Provincial Congress until June 21, when he was commissioned as captain in the 2nd South Carolina regiment under William Moultrie. In the fall of 1776, he was commissioned by the Continental Congress as a lieutenant colonel. He was also engaged in the failed attempt to capture Savannah in 1779 and in early 1780 was placed under Benjamin Lincoln, where he participated in drilling militia. 

       On May 12, 1780, Charleston fell under the siege by the British army lead by Henry Clinton. After the loss of Charleston, and the defeats of General Isaac Huger at Moncks Corner and Lieutenant Colonel Abraham Buford at the Waxhaw Massacre, Marion organized a small partisan band, later known as "Marion's Men." Beginning with 20-70 men, the band was the only opposition of the British then in South Carolina. Marion's Men served without pay and supplied their own mounts, arms, and often their own food. Marion proved to be a more than capable leader of these "irregular militiamen" as he led them in expeditions of ruthless terrorism against the British. Marion's ambushes were quick in, quick out. All of a sudden, they were upon the enemy, and before the British knew what had happened, the attackers had abandoned the field. The British made many attempts to capture Marion's band, but failed due to the fact that while Marion possessed an excellent intelligence community, while that of the British was poor due to the immense patriot populace. Cornwallis observed,

 "Colonel Marion had so wrought the minds of the people, partly by the terror of his threats and cruelty of his punishments, and partly by the promise of plunder, that there was scarcely an inhabitant between the Santee and the Peedee that was not in arms against us."

      Marion skillfully eluded the British colonel sent to kill/capture, Banastre Tarleton, by roving through the swamp paths. Exhausted and frustrated from pursuing Marion through 26 miles of swamp land, Tarleton forfeited his search, cursing 

"As for this..old swamp fox, the devil himself could not catch him."

Tarleton unknowingly coined Marion's nickname, "The Swamp Fox."
       Upon realizing Marion's excellent accomplishments in guerrilla warfare, Governor John Rutledge commissioned him a brigadier general of the South Carolina troops.
       Marion was also closely involved with Major General Nathaniel Greene as well as Lieutenant Colonel Henry Lee. In the Battle of Eutaw Springs, Marion commanded the right wing under Greene.
       In January 1782, he left his troops upon being elected to a new State Assembly at Jacksonborough. During their absence, his brigade became disheartened , and there was a rumored conspiracy to surrender him over to the British. Their confidence was restored in June of that year when Marion subdued a loyalist uprising on the PeeDee River. In August 1782, he returned to his plantation to find it burned and his slaves escaped to the British army. He was forced to borrow money in order to replenish his slaves. Shortly thereafter, the British ended offensive operations in America. After the war, he married his cousin, Mary Esther Videau and later served several terms on the South Carolina State Senate. In honor of his services to his country, he was made commander of Fort Johnson, SC in 1784.
       Francis Marion died in 1795 on his estate. He was 63 years old. Marion has many national and state landmarks named in his honor. He is buried at Belle Isle Plantation in Berkeley County, South Carolina.


Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. –1 Corinthians 1:3