Wiregrass Seniors Magazine July 2018 JULY ISSUE | страница 3

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Page 3
Marion's Brigade
The British had succeeded in defeating most of
the American troops in South Carolina by 1780, and
had laid waste much of that state, confiscating planta-
tions, burning houses, and hanging those they termed
traitors without giving them any form of trial. The city of
Charleston surrendered to Sir Henry Clinton, the Ameri-
can General Gates was defeated at the battle of
Camden, August 16, 1780, and General Sumter at Fish-
ing Creek August 18, 1780. After that there was only
one organized American force in South Carolina,
"Marion's Brigade," as it was called. This was a band
of troopers led by General Francis Marion, a native of
South Carolina, whose ancestors were Huguenot refu-
gees. At first his troop contained only twenty men, but
more joined his band, and for three years they carried
on irregular warfare, harassing the British forces more
than regular soldiers could have done.
Marion's men defeated a large body of Tories at
Briton's Neck without losing a single man, and soon af-
ter beat the enemy twice by sudden attacks when the
Tories were unaware of armed men being near. Marion
managed to escape General Tarleton by disappearing
into a swamp after a chase of twenty-five miles. This
won the daring leader the name of "Swamp Fox," by
which he was known all through the countryside.
After the battle of King's Mountain more recruits
joined the band. In December, 1780, Marion tried to cap-
ture Georgetown, but failed. His nephew, Gabriel Marion,
was taken prisoner, and as soon as his name was
learned he was executed. The "Swamp Fox" led his
band back to a well-hidden island known as Swan Is-
land, and made many sorties through the everglades
and forests. Again and again he attacked the British
along the Santee and Pedee Rivers. He was never cruel
to prisoners, and won a high name for his leadership as
well as for his own bravery.
Marion's men succeeded in capturing
Georgetown on their third attempt, and fought in the battle
of Eutaw Springs, September 8, 1781, which practically
ended the British occupation of that part of the United
States of America.
Marion has always been one of the most popu-
lar heroes of the revolution, and the "Swamp Fox" well
deserved his fame. He was a gallant leader, and the
British and Tories admitted that, although he fought them
by stealth, he was never a treacherous foe.
Song of Marion's Men
Our band is few, but tried and true,
Our leader frank and bold:
The British soldier trembles
When Marion's name is told.
We have no fort but dark green woods,
Our tent's a shady tree:
We know the forest round us
As sailors know the sea.
With merry songs we mock the wind
That in the tree top grieves,
And slumber long and sweetly
On beds of rustling leaves.
Well knows the fair and friendly moon
The band that Marion leads,—
The glitter of their rifles,
The scampering of their steeds.
'Tis life to ride the fiery horse
Across the moonlight plain;
'Tis life to feel the night wind
That lifts his tossing mane.
A moment in the British camp—
A moment—and away
Back to the pathless forest,
Before the peep of day.