The Wichita daily eagle., 1891-11-25

But disheartening news reached Ma
rion's ears while on the return from Sam
pit bridge to his lair at Shows Island
The swamp band numbered less than 300
men, and after drawing off force large
enough to battle Watson and the scouting
parties needed for the large territory
threatened by the British, there had been
only handful left to guard the camp.
This handful had been overcome by Doyle,
who had crossed over from the Wateree to
the Pedee country, north of the scene of
Marion's and Watson's encounters, and
swooped down on the island with relent-
less hand. Everything of value to the
partisans was sdestroyed-stock,p provisions,
ammunition and arms. When the scouts
brought this word to Marion's bivouac no
time was lost in mourning, and the band,
led as usual by fleet cavalry, started
to take vengeance on Doyle. Doyle, how
ever, soon put the deep waters of Lynch's
river between his column and the hot
pursuers and avoided battle, although
forced to take some punishment from Ma
rion's sharpshooters at long range, and
prepared to retreat toward the British
lines at Camden, on the Wateree.
This spring campaign of 1871 put Marion
upon his mettle not only as planner and
fighter, but as leader of men. The hot
chase after Doyle, the despoiler of his
island camp, had led him far to the north.
and while thus engaged his vigilant scouts
brought word that Watson, whom he had
escorted to Georgetown on the jump, had
been REINFORCED and was moving rapidly
toward the Pedee to try the issue over
again. There was still third party in the
field against Marion, and at that hour the
swamp band was the only armed body of
patriots in South Carolina. Marion was
anxious, if not perplexed. In private in
terview with his faithful lieutenant, Major
Horny, he gave voice to his thoughts and
desired to know whether. in the event of
his being compelled to take to the noun
tains, the officers and men of his band
would share his fortunes and carry on the
war. go, and bring me their answerW he
exclaimed to Horny
The answer was soon returned and was
a hearty AYE, aye" over which, says
Horry's chronicles, the Swamp Fox" was
"tiptoed" and declared, 81 am satisfied, one
of these parties shall soon feel Us"
Tradition says that the band was then
drawn up in a circle and sworn with
drawn swords to follow Marion, to never
yield to the British, and to fight until lib
erty should be won.
The pursuit of Doyle was again taken
up, and Marion crossed Lynch's river to
attack him, but found that he had fed to
Camden III a panic. Marion then turned
TO meet Watson. and by rapid marching
struck his camp on the Pedee. Watson
had every advantage and Marion awaited
attack The partisans had not two rounds
of ammunition TO man.
In this crisis Marion's scouts brought
news that an American army under Gen.
Greene was entering South Carolina from
the north, and Light Horse Harry Lee was
at hand with his legion to cooperate with
Marion. The bivouac of the partisans was
astir in twinkling, boats were hauled
from their secret moorings and Lees horse
men were ferried across the Pedee to join
forces with the swamp band. Watson also
heard the news, and initiated Doyle in a
hasty retreat, burning his stores and bag
gage and sinking his cannon in the swamps-
Marion and Lee then marched against the
British forts on the Santee, captured Forts
Watson and Motto and ultimately the fort
of Georgetown, breaking the hold of the
British upon the river line OF defenses and
forcing them back toward Charleston.
This was the beginning of the end, and
Marion's band fought on until South Caro-
lima was reclaimed for liberty.