Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1876-10-12

raise three regiments of infantry and
one of cavalry-for the common defence Of
the country. Christopher Gadsden was
chosen Colonel of the first infantry regiment
and William Moultrie, of the second. Fran
els Marion was a captain under Colonel
Moultrie. ......
Previous to the attack of the British upon
Sullivan's Island, Marion had risen to the
rank of Major. After this battle, Colonel
Moultrie was promoted, for his gallant defence
of the fort, to Brigadier. General, and Marion
rose to the rank of LieutenantC Colonel. From
this period until the siege of Charleston, in
1880, Moultrie and Marion were constantly
together. They enjoyed each Others triumphs
and shared each others misfortunes.
In March, 1880, Colonel Marion, with .
company of friends, was invited to dine at the
house of Alexander Mcqueen, of Charleston.
They we're all true Wings and their host de-
termined that they should be entertained in
manner becoming their merit Wine and in
'toxicating drinks were furnished in prineely
abundance, and all were pressed to drink.
The company were assembled in the second
story. In accordance with custom, preva.
lent at that time, the door was locked that no
one might retire until all we're drunk and
unable to leave. Marion had ne inclination
to enter into these Bacchanalian revels, and
his companions were determined that he
should lead in the banquet as we'll as on the
battle field. He attempted to make bis es-
cape through the door, but was prevented by
all present. At last, seeing that it was either
leave or get drunk, he resolved to leave.
To effect his purpose, he leaped from the
window into the street. Oftwo evils he chose
the one which he regarded the less. In the
fall, he broke his ankle bone. This rendered
him, for the time unfit for service, and he was
taken to the country that he might remain in
quiet until his broken bone was healed. Dur.
ing this time, Charleston WAS beaieged and
captured, and the whole of General Lincoln's
army fell into the hands of the British.
Marion suffered greatly from his broken
ankle, but it proved blessing in disguise,
both to him and his country. So soon as he
was able to ride, he mounted his horse, and
attended by servant, set out in the direction
of Virginia. His object was to find some
field on which he could serve his country.
On entering North Carolina, he fell in with
his old friend, Peter Horny. The latter was
sad. He had concluded that the happy days
of the Wings were all gone. Marion thought
differently. AS Marion and Horny made
their way slowly northward, they were Joined
by kindred spirits from various parts of South
Carolina. Among this number was gentle
man by the name of White and Captain
Douom, the grandfather of our townsman, l.
D. Witherspoon, Esq. ia
The glad news was soon received that an
army was advancing to relieve the Southern
portion of the Confederacy from the power OF
the British. On the banks of the Roanoke,
their party met we'll appointed army under
the command of Baron DeKalb. Marion
and his party were kindly received by the
brave German and permitted to share his
hospitality.
When this army, designed for the relief Of
the South, moved forward under the COM
uand of the ill.starred Gates, Marion moved
with it. Previous to the engagement between
Gates and CORVALLIS at Gum Swamp, on the
18th of August, Gates sent Marion and about
thirty men in the rear of Cornwallis He
was ordered to destroy all the bridges and
ferries, in order to prevent Cornwallia from
retreating. Gates contemplated nothing short
of completely demolishing the British Earl,
and giving the flesh of his men to be food for
the vultures and their bones to bleach upon
the banks of the Wateree. He was, as we
have already seen, sadly mistaken, and he,
rather than CORVALLIS, lost an army. Ma
rion, like good soldier, obeyed orders strict
ly, and was not long in clearing the rivers,
between Camden and the sea.ooast, Of bridges
and ferries. When the news Of Gates de-
feat reached this noble little band, they form.
ed circle and pledged themselves to be true
to their country to the last. With her they
determined to live and with her to die Such,
briefly, is the origin of Mariou's corps. 1t
was nucleus around which brave men flock.
ed and suffered and bled and died for liberty.