The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1848-10-21
From HcadIcy's Washington and his
Generals.
Brigadier General Marion.

GCncIals.
Brigadier General Marion.
Marion, Sumptcr, and Ice nrc names I'M
mortalEcd in the annals ofSouthern warfare.
These did not rank as major generals IN tho
army,yot they commanded moro or less sop
aratc portions of the country, and frequently
carried on an independent warfare. They
were partisan leaders,; and rs partisan war,
especially in the South, constituted such mn
important feature ia Our Revolutionary strug-
glc,l venture to depart from my original plan,
and place Morion--thc chief ofthom, in the
group of major generals. Though usually
operating in small dctuchmcnts, the comhu-
cd action and influence of those leaders were
equal TO that ola division ofthc army, and
for Il long time the fate of the Cnroln0s was
il their Keeping. a partisan warfare calls
into action qualities different from those need
cd in n commander in chief Celebrity, bold
ness, and personal prowGss are usually the
characteristics Of n partisan officer Strata
gems take the place of extensive comhna-
lions, and secret excursions that of an open
campaign. Reckless daring is better than
dsci[ 'line; for the sudden onsc, is demanded
olCncr than the open iield-6ght. A good par
tlsau leader may become an able command
er of All army, though, 10 he the former, ii IL
not necessary ono should posscss tho quali-
tics Of the latter.
A predatory warfare was carried on TO
s0mc extent hy the Indians all along our
north western and western frontiers, furnish
ing occasions to exhibit the hardihood md
vaIor OF our early scltlcrs but in the South ii
hccamc permanent thing, and assumed
settled character. The presence ola grcat
arnly would swallow up for while these
independent compauirS;hui NJ the wIbdl aw-
al, or defeat OF tho former The latter sprung
again into existence. aud hung like cloud n
round tho victorious enemy. No GoouCr did
Lincoln surrender ut Charleston, than from
every swamp ofthc Carolinas started UP
bands oirCsolutG men, ready 10 dispute with
the invader the right 10 the soil. Out of the
wreck OF Gaics's nrHIy arose, phnniT-lkc,
new form OF opposition, which showed The
thrice conquered country un-conqucrcd still
Mnr0u'a career embOdics moro oGromaucc,
personal adventure, hair breadth escapes, Wild
daring, and heroic courage than usually Falls
10 the lot of any rmnn. Daring all that dts-
tressiul period when our country was bleed
ing at every pore, his patriotism burned with
a pure flame, and his haud was ever ready to
strike, Whether we behold him in his soil
tary island cncampmeni, amid the dark pine
trees, on whose branches his scnlinols sit
eating his rude meal by the light ofIho baZ-
ing fire, or stealing with his chosen band Of
horsemen. 10y midnight through tho forcst,t 10
! tho unSuspccting enemy: or nursing, with
his fierce warcry, on the British Dragons, or
will! Sword waving above his head, lending
his brave militia to the shock of tho bayonct;
lie is tho same cautious, daring, prompt, and
rcSolulc man. From the shades of tho gioo-
my swump-by the light of his lonely watch
iircs-iu the midst of battlG--ilat same swar-
thy, calm, thoughtful iucc, looks STEADILY up
on us, and that piercing black cyc.holds Our
al ala al, fl,ut
came and went like shadows over the dstrac-
ted South, the shout Civilizations mon" rings
cheerly out, and thcirsIiile shot is heard,
sending hope and courage through thousands
of brave, but Responding hearts.
| Francis Marion was born al Winynh, near
Georgetown, South Carolina. in l732-the
same year which gave birth 10 Washington.
His grandfather was one of the Ilugcnots of
France, who fed TO this country to escape
persecution at home. Ofdiminutive proper
lions, and feeble frame, he seemed destined
10 an early grave, rather than 10 the long and
arduous career he pursued with such honor
TO himself and good to his country. But Al
twelve years of age his health became firm
and that defiant, untamcd spirit, which after
wards characterized him, began TO exhibit il
self. ~ sixteen he undertook n voyage tC
the West Indies, and was ship-wrecked. Sly
days in an opon boat OF the sea, without pro
VISIONS except dead dog. and without water
seem TO have cured him of his rowing propen
sites; and he retired to the farm of his father
he mad but just arrived ut maturity, whel
ms 'a,nor dicd-and after short residence
with his mother aud brother Gabriel, he re
moved to Bell Isle, near Eutaw Springs
where Inc ever afterwards lived, and whort
hls bones now rest. At the commencement
} of the French and Indian war. he enlisted NJ
: private in regiment of cavalry command
ed by his brother. Afterwards he was nm
: pointed lieutenant under Moultric, in an OK
petition against tho Cherokccs: and in n,
attack OH them at E:choee, led folorn-hop
of thirty-one men, only ten of whom escapet
unwounded The battle ragged with snnguin
: airy ferocity for six hours, when the savage
gave way. After the peace, he returned t
l his farm, and the excitement of the field an
, the excitement Of hunting, passed his life I'll
t the cventfil year Of l775. The quarrel wit
ne mother country then assuming n NOR
; alarming aspect, he entered warmly I'M.
4 TIC cause of he colonies and was eectr
member Of the provincial Congress Of Scout
4 carolina. Cas'ing his vote in favor of III
net that hound Tho crt,,h opl