The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1900-07-25

Brief Sketch Of his Glorious Career.



| umph went up from the admiral's S fag
ship when the ensign disappeared, for
it was thought to be a signal Of sub
mission. The next moment young
soldier, one of Marion's recruits from
the Pcc-Dcc, lcapcd from the parapct,
walked deliberately upon the beach
the whole length Of the fort, picked
up the flag. mounted the baston,
affixed the banner to sponge staff,
and, driving that in secure place,
left the blue standard floating defiant
ly over the place from which it had
just fallen. For two long hours that
battle ragged furiously Although two
thousand heavy balls had been hurled
! upon the fort and fifty bombshclls had
been cast within it's ramparts, only
ten Of the garrison were killed and
twenty-five wounded. The victory
for the Americans was complete.
In fitting honor the fort was named
Moultrie, after it's heroic defender,
and the title Of brigadier was con-
fcrrcd upon him. The admiration of
the ladies Of Charleston was reflected
in a pair of colors, which they pre-
scntcd to his regiment. These were
triumphantly unfurlcd over the ram
parts Of Savannah three years later,
when the French and Americans uni
ted to besiege the British. AS a flag
bearer fell to the ground up sprang
Jasper, restored the flag to it's origi-
nal place, waved his cap aud then
pierced by rifle ball, fell to the
ground. lie survived but one hour,
and dying said: "Tell Mrs. Elliott l
lost my life supporting the colors."
Name and deed still live, for there ;a
Savannah, Jasper Square will forever
keep in mind that brave young lad.
Seven months later, when Charleston
fell, the colors were captured by the
British, and now are exhibited in the
Tower of London.
BY the inland route he went to
Savannah, 1777, with six hundred
men, to reinforce Gen. Howe. In the
struggle OF 1879 he was given the
highest post Of honor as we'll as dan
ger, i. c., command Of Fort Moultric.
During the siege Of Charleston he
broke his ankle and perhaps it will be
of interest to relate the incident: He
was dining with some friends and,
being a strictly temperate man, re-
fused to comply with en- attempt The.
was made to make him drink to ex-
cess; raising window he jumped to
the street and thus was crippled.
Twas Gods hand that caused this
accident, for in the fall of Charleston
all soldiers and citizens were made
prisoners, while Marion, at his home
at Pond Bluff, where he had been
carried, commenced gathering that
brigade which later terrified the Brit
ish. The key note Of his commanding
lay in his great self commanding.
South Carolina and Georgia were
now in British power, and though his
ankle would not permit him to walk,
with the assistance of two men he
mounted his horse and sounded his
whistle, and lo! the echo.
Congress now sent Gen. Gates to
command the Southern army, and
Marion, with the title Of colonel, went
into the interior Of South Carolina
with the order to watch the motions
of the enemy and furnish intelli-
gence;" but the conceited Gates saw
no power in the brave colonel of his
band and sent them on "will. o. the
wisp" mission to destroy the boats on
the rivers AND thus cut of escape for
the British.
pride goeth before faN," and
Lees prediction that Coates North
crn laurels would be exchanged for
Southern willows came to pass in
1850, when he was defeated in the
battle Of Camden; while Marion was
promoted to brigadiership and from
now until the establishment Of peace,
flights, surprises, marches and eoun-
tcrmarches followed successfully.
y British officer had been sent up
from Georgetown to Shows Island,
where Marion was encamped, to
attempt an exchange of prisoners; he
had been blindfolded and brought to
the island by an intricate route.
When the bandage was removed and
he saw tho small number Of men amid
picturesque surroundings great was
IL asss,as;so hi tlo cxsoa4ost