November 1780 Lt. Colonel Banastre Tarleton of the British Army hunted a man by the name Francis Marion. Lt. Colonel Tarleton hunted this man for seven hours through the backwoods and swamps of South Caroline, eventually giving up and stated “As for this old, fox the devil himself could not catch him.” Francis Marion would forever be known as the Swamp Fox. Francis “Swamp Fox” Marion was an important figure in history especially military history because; he was the pioneer of guerilla tactics, was an important and influential leader in the South Carolina Militia, and his humble demeanor that labeled him and anti-hero. Francis Marion was born on his family’s plantation in Berkeley County, South Carolina in 1732. His parents He was the youngest of six children born to Gabriel and Esther Marion. As a young boy Francis enjoyed watching the ships sail in and out of Georgetown and especially enjoyed exploring the swamps and woods around his plantation home. He worked on his plantation farm with his dad learning how to tend the crops and support himself. When he was 15 years old he signed up to be a crewman on one of the ships setting sail out of Georgetown heading for the West Indies. Accustomed to the hard work on his family’s farm he was able to handle his own responsibilities on the ship. Upon their return voyage the ship began to sink and it was everything they could do to make it onto the life boats, and return to dry land. This was a turning point in Francis life. He would forever be a ground dweller no more sailing for him. 1756 six years after his father passed away the Cherokee Indians were threatening the homes and the people of the Carolinas, Francis joined the Upper St. Johns militia at a rip young age of 24. Five years later he was selected to lead a group of 30 men on a mission to break the Cherokee Indians and allow the remaining force the ability to move forward to take the town of Echoe. At the end of his charge he was one of nine men still left alive. The French and Indian war Francis had seen little but fierce fighting however the lesson he learned would become vital in future conflicts, ultimately leading him to become an important figure in military history. Francis Marion was appointed to Captain in the Second Regiment in June of 1775, and over the course of the next five years recruited, trained, and drilled the men willing to fight alongside him. Francis Marion’s purpose and ultimately his role in the war was altered after a dinner at a fellow officers home in Charleston March 1780 time frame that involved heavy drinking and partying. Francis was not a man that drank
…show more content…
He would hit their supply and communication lines. By using these tactics it kept the British on their heels. They knew that the ghost or as he was referred to as the Swap Fox might be somewhere in the area. Another tactic that he would use was Francis Marion and his men would rest during the day and would attack at night. He would use the fires from the British as his beacon and would strike while the British were asleep and had their guard let
He would hit their supply and communication lines. By using these tactics it kept the British on their heels. They knew that the ghost or as he was referred to as the Swap Fox might be somewhere in the area. Another tactic that he would use was Francis Marion and his men would rest during the day and would attack at night. He would use the fires from the British as his beacon and would strike while the British were asleep and had their guard let