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Gen. Francis Marion, the "Swamp Fox," was a Revolutionary War hero who gives his name to the beautiful city of Marion. South Carolina patriots such as Gen. Thomas Sumter, Gen. Francis Marion and Gen. Andrew Pickens were the basis for the main character portrayed 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 hiding with his men in the swamps he became familiar with, then ambushing the British when they least expected it. After the troops attacked the British, Francis Marion would order them to retreat, often into the swamps, before the British knew what hit them. Often using clever, cat-and-mouse play, he became credited with being the father of guerilla warfare.
Gen. Francis Marion led volunteer armies in numerous battles and skirmishes during the Revolutionary War and when General Horatio Gates and General Thomas Sumter were defeated, Francis Marion's troops were the only troops left fighting in South Carolina. The number of men left fighting was down to so few that Francis Marion organized his men into guerilla units. They provided their own food, horses and supplies. Blacksmiths took old saw blades and created swords for the men, their ammunition was created out of pewter plates.
Francis Marion and his troops took on local loyalist troops, forcing them to surrender in a truce in present day Marion County. He and his band of partisans camped along the Great Pee Dee River at what is now Dunham's Bluff, across from his famous hideout on Snow's Island. His men raided the British supply units and rescued captured soldiers. 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. The City of Marion is proud to be represented by such a strong historical figure.
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, Main Street Marion has partnered with a group of local reenactors as their sponsoring agency. The members of 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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