Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1922-02-10
THE "sWAMP FOX"
Origin Of the Nickname Of General
Francis Marion.

Origin Of the Nickname Of General
Francis Marion.
The title Of 1.-THE Swamp Fox was
bestowed upon the daring. young, ro-
mantle hero Francis Marion by Gen.
CORVALLIS when the latter was in
charge Of the Southern British Army
at war with the colonists. Gen. Gates
had been defeated and Marion withheld
the information from his men, fearing
it might depress their spirits. The
concealment was brief, for that night
his scouts brought word Of the ap-
proach Of strong British guard with
a large body Of prisoners from Gates
army.
The scene of action was near Char
lesion. The British army, being so
thoroughly organized and equipped,
was having things very much its own
way. About this time all that the Con-
tinental forces could nope to do was to
harass the enemy as much as possible.
The chief source of annoyance was
Marion and his small body Of night
riders who seemed to be here. there
and everywhere at just the opportune
moment, dealing a blow upon the un-
expected Britishers and off again like
the wind.
Marion made his dash into the open,
inflicted his wounds and escaped to the
swamps in the neighborhood of the
Santee. When Marion observed the
British In possession Of a number of
American prisoners he suddenly ap-
peared in their midst. The surprise
and victory was instant and complete.
Not one of Marion's men was lost,
while "a of the regulars were killed
and over $50 Of the Maryland Conti-
mental line were released.
The British feared and hated Marion
and CORVALLIS delegated two of the best
of his cavalry officers, Tarleton and
Wemyss, with the injunction to Go
and catch that Swamp Fox under all
circumstances" This instruction gave
to Marion his nickname. The British
officers took up the title given to him
by CORVALLIS and ever after referred
to him as -The Swamp Fox"
Tarleton and Wenyss attempted to
follow out their instructions. Marion,
as usual. was encamped In the depths
tcftthe Black Miago swamp. His dash
and brilliant sorties had brought to his
ranks many hitherto avowed Tories,
for he began to be called the "Inyinci-
ble," on account Of his never having
struck blow without success. 4.
Wemyss had been unable to. find Ma
rion, but Tarleton was more success
full. The latter's legion was at Cam
den, and with a small troup of horses
he set out from Charleston to meet
Marion's men on the Congaree. Ma
rion was informed Of his movement
and he resolved to attempt the capture
of Tarleton before he could effect a
junction Of his corps. He failed, and
the brave colonel, with his whole force,
was soon in swift pursuit Of the parti-
san. Through deep morasses and across
mirey streams they followed until they
reached the verge Of the vast and
gloomy OK Swamp when. tired of the
chase, Tarleton exclaimed:
Come, my boys, let's go back! We
will soon find Sumter, the Gamecock
of the Catawba, but as for this cursed
Swamp Fox, the devil himself could
not catch him." The pursuit was
abandoned, and from the gates Of
Charleston to the high hills Of the
Santee Marion remained sole master.
Marion conducted all his military
enterprises, surrounded by deep
morasses and reached by causeways
principally from Shows Island. This
was almost as impregnable as the
noted castles of the Norman Barons
From these marshy Businesses Marion
sent out detachments to scatter Tory
recruits, destroy bridges, strike camps
at midnight and cut off conveys OF
provisions and arms by day. He never
followed beaten tracks and his foes
knew not from what direction to expect
his blade.
"a moment in the British camp
A moment and away;
Back to the painless forest
Before the peep Of day."
His movements were as secret as
they We're fleet and efficient, and those
not actually in his train were often
ignorant of his position.
SORE ON FERDINAND.