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| One of the many renditions of South Carolina's Francis Marion. |
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The Swamp Fox
Shown above, in one of the many murals of Clarendon County, Francis Marion, the famed "Swamp Fox," is a revolutionary war hero who gives his name to the beautiful city of Marion. Portrayed by the main character (in part) in the motion picture the "Patriot," Francis Marion was a member of the South Carolina Provincial Congress and voted in favor of the Revolutionary war against the British. The title "Swamp Fox" was given to Francis Marion for his tactics of using the swamps of the low country and northeast corner of South Carolina to his advantage, often ambushing the British and the loyalists who fought with them when they least expected it. After his men attacked the British, Francis Marion would order them to retreat into the swamps before the British knew what hit them.
He led volunteer armies in numerous battles during the Revolutionary War and when General Horatio Gates and General Thomas Sumter were defeated, it was Francis Marion's militia troops that were left fighting in South Carolina.
The number of men fighting was down to so few that Francis Marion organized his men into guerilla units. These men provided their own food, horses and supplies. Blacksmiths took old saw blades and created swords for the men and their ammunition was created out of pewter plates.
Francis Marion and his troops were never discovered hiding on Snow Island in the Pee Dee River, though the island itself was plundered. His men raided the British supply units, rescued captured soldiers and took prisoners useful in exchanges. Although the British tried, they could never catch the clever Swamp Fox.
Francis Marion is remembered not only in the South but throughout America as an incredible war hero. Here in South Carolina his legacy burns the brightest for the streets traveled today cover the dirt trails he traveled years ago.
In an effort to better remember the contributions of the men who served with Gen. Francis Marion, and to educate today's generations about life in the area from 1779-1781, we have partnered with a group of local reenactors as their sponsoring agency. The Hugh Giles Reg't, Britton's Neck Militia, a company of reenactors, work to depict the life and times during the American Revolution. To learn more about the reenactors, call Denley Caughman at 843-423-5220.
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