The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1893-07-25

MS favOrlte encampment. IBIS lsland
Is surrounded by the Pedee river and
several small creeks, which were at
that time much filed up with RATS Of
thick woods and cane brakes, but has
also patches OF open cultivated ground,
thus affording much provisions and
live stock.
Marion had often to cross rivers,
yet frequently did not have than
q single canoe, beside which his sorrel
horse, Ball, foated over, the rest of
the horses following instinctively.
Many a time no canoe was to be had
at all, and then the general swan
across.
His ~favorite time for starting on an
expedition was at sunset, and then his
men knew that the march would con-
tinue till daylight. He observed such
absolute secrecy about his plans, how
ever, that his followers o o learned
that the only way to find out whether
an expedition was before them was to
watch the generals looks. II he was
buster than usual baking sweet
potatoes, then the men began prepar-
ing their provisions for a long march.
Marion often marched sixty or seven
cold potatoes and a drink of water for
twenty-four hours. Sometimes they
had fresh beef. Salt was a luxury and
could rarely be obtained. The British
had made provisions scarce by their
raids. The I'M living on lonely
plantations were not even sure OF the
dinner cooking on the fire ; it might at
any moment be snatched away by the
redcoats.
An amusing anecdote OF the time
tells us hat when Captain Capers
,ntl % ~, ,1,no H. 1900 h,
found it stripped Of all poultry and
live stock save u single rooster. This
bird had escaped by taking refuge
under a kitchen low to the ground
whenever the British chased him.
After the revolution it was fashionable
for the ladies to wear scarlet cloaks.
Whenever the veteran saw o woman
in q red cloak he would squeal out, no
doubt fancying her to be a British
redcoat, and run directly under the
Merion's way was to keep his men
continually in motion. BY the rapidity
age Of his brigade, which might have
tagged had not the men been continu-
ally occupied and SO harassed, tor
mented and troubled were the British
by this invisible enemy that Marion
and his horsemen seemed to them
almost like phantoms-suddenly APP
pearing and attacking them, now
firing from behind trees, now vanish
ing into the swamp as mysteriously as
they had appeared. 81 sincerely hope
Thai you will be able to get at Mr..
Marion" wrote Lord CORVALLIS to
Colonel Tarleton, following out the
British policy which was to refuse to
u officers their proper'military titles.
The following story which has been
handed down from the generals sister,
Esther, MRS. Hovey) to her descen-
dants, gives one q realizing sense of
tho difficulty OF getting at "Mr.
Marion," and also of the constant
dangers to which his life vas exposed.
AS she vas sitting one morning in
her parlor knitting she saw a figure
move stealthily in the woods beyond.
She watched it carefully fearing it
it cautiously emerged from the shadows
Of the trees she soon recognized
General Marion. She went to meet
him and learned that his band had
been surprised by the British and had
been obliged to scatter. He appointed
q rendezvous, and told his men to
secure their own safety as best they
could. He had been in the swamps
and woods for twenty-four hours with
out food; and had lost part Of his hat
rim and one sleeve of his coat.
He thought that the British we're on
his track, but consented to rest while
the servants prepared a late breakfast,
and Mrs. Hovey busted herself with
replenishing his tattered wardrobe
from her husbands store. BY the
generals directions, his horse, which
had been left hidden in the woods,
was sent for and fed, but he would not
allow the saddle to be taken off.
This was no unwise p%recaution, for
before the breakfast vas ready and
when Marion had had but q short time
for repose in the large arm chair
sacred to his memory ever since, q
the redcoats were coming. In q
moment Marion had mounted his horse
and dashed down the broad walk lead.
ing from the back of the house to
Wambaw creek, which he swan. His
4 pursuers reached the bank while he
was struggling in the water and fired
some Ineffective volleys, but they did
not venture to plunge in after him,
ana before they could follow him in
tie boats and flats that were moored
a>at the landing and the "Swamp Fox
was safe from their pursuit in the
wilds of the Santee.
AiohooSh Nhui lOh pCISOidl DrhVcfy
was constantly shown, it is said that
he never drew his sword, Indeed,
the story goes that once when he
attempted to draw it he found it
fastened to the scabbard by rust. He
was as noted for his humanity in fact
as for his integrity and skillful leader
ship. After the close of the revolu-
tiOn he was a member of the Legisla-
ture, and look an active part in restor-
ing to the "TOries" their confiscated
estates.
In the whole South his name is still
worshiped. His tomb at Belle Isle
plantation having suffered badly from
the weather, q new and beautiful one
has just been dedicated with imposing
ceremonies. 1t bears the old epitaph,
however.
AT the unwilling of the tomb
Bryant's poem, "The Song of Marion's
men," was read. Many a boy has by
heart the verse hat describes the
weird midnight ride from the swamp :
Well knows the fair and friendly
moon,
The men that Marion leads,
The glitter of the rifles,
The scamper of their steeds;
IT'S life to guide the fiery barb
Across the moonlit plain;
IT'S life to feel the night-wind
That lifts the tossing name.
A moment in the British camp,
A moment and away;
Back to the painless forest