Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1852-1852, 1852-05-21
As.ETCH OF MARIoN's LIFE.

In personal appearance, Marion presents a
striking contrast to most OF the officers IN our
army. 1t is curious fact, that the generals Of
the highest grade, in both armies, during the
Revolutionary war, averaged nearly two hundred
bounds in weight. But Marion was very small!
man. and of diminutive proportion every way,
lie was not only short but remarkably thin
His countcnanco WAS swarthv, and grave in its
expression, and his eye dark, solemn and poetic
Extremely plain in his dress, and still palmer
manners, he did not strike stranger very ia
yorallv. Reserved and silent, lie seldom spoke,
except when nesessary and then expressed his
thourhts in the most direct and simple language
he could command. These pecuiarties III
creased the mystery which his actions threw
around him, and doubtless added much to the
influence he held over his band. Cool and quiet,
he went on the most desperate missions without
eycitcment-as calmly stormcd through the
fight, and then in the same composed manner
drew off his men to their dark and lonely en-
compment. Seemed utterly destitute of passion
He Possessed neither revenge, nor thirst for go-
rv. nor love of excitement, nor desire Of money
or mower. He showed no fondncss for the ta-
HE but was abstemious as hermit. Even the
women had no influence over him, and he moved
amid the turbulent scenes around him, like one
whose mind is wholly absorbed on one great OBJ
iect, vet to be accomplished. Drinking his vine
oar and water-enoush to keep any man thin
satine his coarse hominy, or rice-with the trees
for Lis shelter, and the swamps for his retreat,
he fastens himself upon our affections and i'll
tcrcst, with a frnness nothing can shake
I;yinr.in lawlcss times, and among rough and
hoistorous men, he retained all his dclicacy of
feeling, refined tastes, and scrupnlous virtue
Moving in an orbit of his own he like Washing
ton. was beyond theinluence of Others and SEEM
od free from the common frailties of man.
Without pay-without even the hopes of VIC
tory-hunted from swamp to swamp, and cha
sei the length and breadth Of his State, he still
STRUGGLED on to keep alive the waning flame OF
natriS1ism in the hearts Of the inhabitants.
binding his men to him by love rather than by
commands. he would let them disband to their
homes. no security but their single promise to
return. Yet that promise was never broken !;
and the love those stern hearts bore him, Is
one Of the most touching incidents IN his Ca
rccr
As partisan leader, Marion had no equal
One cannot point out defect in him, nor sug-
rcst single good quality which he did not pcs,
scss. To sleeplcss, tireless vigilance, he added
an energy and perseverance that nothing could
SboEc and to bravery, which never dasercd
linn, a prudence unmarried by a single rash act
proyoked into no haste, beguiled into no pro-
Irastination, unclatcd by success, undiscouragcd
Nv defeat, he baff1led every plan Of his pursuers
20 70 take him, and kept the field in the very midst
IS Ii, foes. For long time the only patriot
who dared to lift the standard of freedom in his
Rnat;ve State, he became the object against which
$the British directed all their efforts Yet they
never dsbanded his corps, or broke his power,
kTbe name OF Marion became spell-word with