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General Information
Life as a Sailor
The Start of a Military Career
The Revolutionary War
The End of a Career
   


General Information

Francis Marion was born and raised in St. John’s Parish, Berkeley County, South Carolina, in 1732. He was the sixth son of Gabriel and Ester Cordes Marion, French Huguenots (Bass 5). His close friend Lt. Colonel Peter Horry later recorded, “I have it from good authority that this great soldier, at his birth, was not larger than a New England lobster, and might easily enough have been put into a quart pot” (qtd. in Bass 6). Marion’s parents relocated from Goatfield Plantation to a plantation in Prince George, a parish in Winyah Bay when Marion was five. Other than these details, not much is known about Francis Marion’s early life (6).


Life as a Sailor
Around fifteen, Marion decided to try out his sea legs and become a sailor. His parents immediately consented, hoping the experience would improve his health and stature. Marion signed on as a member of a ship’s crew, and the crew sailed to the Caribbean without any unfortunate incidents; however, when the ship was en route to return home, “a whale attacked,” causing severe damage, and the ship sank (6). The captain and crew narrowly escaped in an open boat; however, they were unable to preserve any food and water. They drifted for five days, and finally killed a dog that swam up to their boat, drinking its blood and eating its uncooked flesh. Two of the crewmen died on the sixth day, and on the seventh day, they reached land. Though Marion survived at sea, this experience seemed to repel him from further involvement as a sailor (7).

Upon his return home, Marion seemed utterly content to stay with his parents and continue their life of farming. After all of his brothers and sisters married, Marion supported his mother and father. However, his father died in 1750, and Marion assumed the sole care of his mother and went back to St. John’s with his brothers, Gabriel and Job (7).

The Start of a Military Career
While taking care of his mother, Marion embarked upon his military career at the age of twenty-five. On January 31, 1756, Gabriel and Francis Marion joined the militia company of upper St. John’s to help with the ending years of the French and Indian War when the Cherokee War began (7). One specific incident which molded Marion’s career was when he and thirty men were sent as scouts into a Cherokee ambush. Men fell around him left and right; however, Marion just kept moving until he had passed the defile. His actions in battle gave him great renown among his people. Robert Bass, a prominent historian of Francis Marion’s life, said, “As a veteran who had shown great courage under fire, he was now accorded a position of respect and leadership along the Santee” (9).

The Revolutionary War
After the Cherokee War, Marion returned to his life as a planter. In 1773, he was able to purchase a plantation on the Santee, Pond’s Bluff. Due to his actions and renown in the Cherokee War, Marion was elected a member of the Provincial Congress in the years of growing tension between Great Britain and the colonies, swearing on June 4, 1775, to defend South Carolina (10). He then was appointed Captain of the Second Regiment and was sent off to recruit militia from St. John’s. Sixty men joined his cause, including his brother, Gabriel Marion. He and his men were ready to take part in the first act of rebellion in September (11).

It is hard if not impossible to pin down one specific incident which could demonstrate Francis Marion’s importance to the Revolutionary War. He participated in over six skirmishes that we know of against the British and in over seven major battles. His valor and integrity was shown time and time again on the battle field and off.

Marion’s first act of duty was to defend the depot at Dorchester, where a significant amount of gunpowder and public records were stored (13). After losing men to sickness and desertion (due to the inactivity of guard duty), Marion was reassigned to help build a fort on Sullivan’s Island (14-5). On February 22, 1776, Marion was promoted to major and then on November 23, he was promoted again to lieutenant colonel (15-19). Every act, in battle and otherwise, portrayed his valor, honor, integrity, and overall necessity to the creation and preservation of liberty and peace for the American people.

The Battle of Fort Sullivan in Charleston was the first battle in the Revolutionary War in which Marion actively participated. He was in charge of the left side of the Fort, where the heaviest cannons were placed. He bravely led his men in a rain of heavy cannon power on the anchored British ships in the harbor. When the British were turning to flee, Marion asked Colonel Moultrie, his superior, if he could fire once more. Moultrie responded, “Yes, give them the parting kick” (qtd. in Bass 17). Marion used one of the biggest cannons they had and sent a ball right through the flagships (17). Once again, Marion showed his worth.

Marion continued to fight at the Battle of Savannah and commanded at Sheldon until he broke his ankle jumping out of a window at Captain Alexander McQueen’s party (29). This may seem like an unlucky event in Marion’s life; however, due to Marion’s accident, he was able to escape Charleston before it fell. He then returned home to his family and friends (30). However, Marion’s reprieve from duty did not last long. Once he realized his services were really needed, he once again donned his uniform, swollen ankle and all, to resume his command (31).

In August of 1780, Marion joined Major General Horatio Gates and was ordered to go along the Santee, burning any type of transport the British might use (39). While he was operating under Gates’ command, Marion and his men came upon a mansion set up on a hill above the swamp, Fort Motte. That night, Marion released “one hundred and fifty Continentals of the Maryland Line” from that mansion (45). Robert Bass, a prominent historian, said, “News of Marion’s brilliant exploit cheered a drooping Congress. He had saved a morsel from the destruction of the Southern Army” (47). No one, except involved members of the Revolutionary War, knew of Francis Marion. However, after this incident, everyone knew the name – Marion.

Marion continued to be a great asset to the Patriots; he was consistently involved in various skirmishes against the Tories in South Carolina at Blue Savannah, Black Mingo Creek, Tearcoat Swamp, Halfway Swamp, Quinby Bridge, and Parker’s Ferry. Marion also participated in major battles in South Carolina, such as the Battle of Fort Sullivan, Great Savannah, Georgetown (with Lt. Colonel Henry Lee), and Battle of Eutaw Springs. He also engaged in a surprise attack on Major Thomas Fraser at the Battle of Fair Lawn and fought in the Second Battle of Savannah, Ga.

One of the biggest and most known battles Marion participated in was the Battle at Eutaw Springs, S.C., on September 8, 1781. Marion commanded the largest band of militia he had ever commanded, and they had fought with professional quality. Major General Nathaniel Greene reported back to Congress, “‘The fire redoubled; our officers behaved with the greatest bravery, and the militia gained much honor by their firmness … such conduct would have graced the veterans of the Great King of Prussia’” (qtd. in Bass 217).

However, the true test of Marion’s genius as a war hero was the way in which he launched surprise attacks and then retreated back into the swamps, not to be found by British troops. His elusive character furthered his stories, which have become legends. The title “Swamp Fox” did not come along until after Marion had eluded Lt. Colonel Banastre Tarleton. After a long and hard chase for Marion, Tarleton gave Marion his nickname, “Swamp Fox,” when he addressed his men: “‘Come, my boys! Let us go back, and we will find the Gamecock [Thomas Sumter]’ he cried in the thick accents of Lancashire. ‘But as for this damned old fox, the devil himself could not catch him!’” (qtd. in Bass 82). Marion continued to elude British forces for the rest of the war.

Apart from actual battles, Marion actively participated in the government of South Carolina. He was elected to the South Carolina Provincial Congress in 1775 (10). Later, he also was elected to the South Carolina Senate on September 8, 1781 (224). The Swamp Fox continued to reside in the shadows of the swamps, doling out retribution and justice to the British from the mists of South Carolina’s hide-a-ways. He is considered one of the first to practice the art of guerilla warfare, which proved to be vital to the independence of America.

Marion continued to be an active and important participant in the Revolutionary War. Apart from his many victories in battle, Marion was considered to be a great man and a great leader. He was a very religious man who nurtured the same religious affiliations with his men. Marion was also a man of profound discipline. He did not allow his men to have long hair or drink (21). According to his friend Lt. Colonel Peter Horry, “Marion wished his officers to be gentlemen. And whenever he saw one of them acting below that character, he would generously attempt his reformation” (qtd. in Bass 22). His men loved him and respected him greatly, obeying his every wish, because Marion was not careless of their lives and he did not hold himself more important than his men (22).


The End of a Career

After his final battle at the Battle at Fair Lawn against Major Thomas Fraser, Marion returned to his home in Pond’s Bluff, S.C. When he returned, he found his home in ruins; the British had burned everything (239). He did what all of the revolutionaries did–rebuild.

On April 20, 1786, Marion married Mary Esther Videau (242). He remained at Pond’s Bluff until his death on February 27, 1795.

There were so many great men who contributed their lives to the struggle for freedom and liberty. However, Francis Marion’s unique fighting tactics and outstanding character allow him to be deemed one of the most important figures in the Revolutionary War. The Swamp Fox’s gravestone describes his significance to the War and his time:

“Sacred to the Memory
of
BRIG. GEN. FRANCIS MARION
Who departed his life, on the 27th of February, 1795,
IN THE SIXTY-THIRD YEAR OF HIS AGE
Deeply regretted by all his fellow citizens
HISTORY
will record his worth, and rising generations embalm
his memory, as one of the most distinguished
Patriots and Heroes of the American Revolution:
which elevated his native Country
TO HONOUR AND INDEPENDENCE,
AND
Secured to her the blessings of
LIBERTY AND PEACE
This tribute of veneration and gratitude is erected
in commemoration of
the noble and disinterested virtues of the
CITIZEN;
and the gallant exploits of the
SOLDIER;
Who lived without fear, and died without reproach.” (qtd. in Bass 246)

Work Cited

Bass, Robert D. Swamp Fox: The Life and Campaigns of General Francis Marion. 1959. Columbia: Sandlapper Press, 1972.