A Sketch of the Life of Brig. Gen. Francis Marion
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William Dobein James. >> A Sketch of the Life of Brig. Gen. Francis Marion
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--
* Marion was often without a surgeon to dress his wounded,
and if a wound reached an artery the patient bled to death.
--
Chapter III.
CAMPAIGN OF 1781.
The year 1781 commenced under auspices more propitious
than those of the last year. The British had exercised
so much oppression and rapacity over all those who would not join them,
and so much insolence over those who did, and were in the least suspected,
that the people of South Carolina found there was no alternative
but between a state of downright vassalage and warfare.
Most of the men of principle already had, or were prepared to take up arms
against the enemy, and in general the unprincipled only remained with them
in the expectation of plunder. Their army too, being divided into
different cantonments over the country, while it extended their oppression,
exposed their weakness. The history of all ages shows that a country
may be overrun with more facility than kept in a state of subjection,
and that a partisan warfare is the best that can be carried on
against an enemy of superior force and discipline.
During the present winter Lord Cornwallis formed a design of conquering
the upper counties of North Carolina, and marched by the way of Charlotte
towards Salisbury, for that purpose. This part of the country was thickly
covered with underwood, and settled by a hardy race of industrious yeomanry,
all friends of their country. He was fired upon from behind
bushes and fences, trees and rocks, by companies in ambush, and individuals
on foot and on horseback, and was so much annoyed that he was obliged
to retreat back to Winnsborough. The news of this expedition
was industriously spread abroad, and encouraged the people of South Carolina
to follow the example. In the mean time, Gen. Gates had been superceded
in the command of the southern army by Gen. Greene.
With the character of this leader it is intended to make the reader
better acquainted than he has been heretofore. His command begun
with a good omen, which in all times has had its effect. In a few hours
after his arrival in camp at Charlotte, he received the news
that Col. Washington had taken Rugely and one hundred men,
by the well known stratagem of mounting a pine log over against
his block house, which he mistook for a field piece.* Gen. Greene had
not only no more than one thousand continentals and about as many militia,
but was also bare of ammunition and clothing, and had no money to pay them.
With this force he marched down to Pedee, in South Carolina,
and took a position near Hick's creek, on the east side of the river,
not many miles from Chatham. From this place his first despatch
to Gen. Marion is dated, the 19th Jan. 1781, in which he says,
"by the last accounts, Lieut. Col. Tarleton was in motion,
with about one thousand troops, towards Gen. Morgan." On the 23d Jan.
Gen. Greene congratulates Marion on Morgan's victory over Tarleton,
and writes him the particulars. On the 25th he says, "before this I hope
you have received the agreeable news of the defeat of Lieut. Col. Tarleton.
After this nothing will appear difficult."
--
* This was the same Rugely who behaved so generously to Governor Rutledge.
It seems Lord Cornwallis intended to have promoted him, but after
this affair he wrote to Tarleton, "Rugely will not be made a brigadier."
--
As the defeat of Tarleton at the Cowpens has been related
by many American writers, whose works are generally read,
the account of the renowned chief himself, who was unexpectedly foiled,
and which is now out of print, will be extracted for the amusement
of the historical reader. "Near the end of the last year, (1780)
information had been received by Lord Cornwallis, that Gen. Greene
had made a division of his troops, which did not exceed fourteen hundred men,
exclusive of militia, and that he had committed the light infantry
and Col. Washington's cavalry to Gen. Morgan, with directions
to pass the Catawba and Broad rivers, to collect the militia,
and threaten Ninety-Six. It is not to be supposed Gen. Greene
would have adopted the hazardous plan of dividing his forces,
if he had received information of Gen. Leslie's command
being withdrawn from Virginia, and united to the force in South Carolina;
because such an accession of strength would produce a movement
from Winnsborough (where Cornwallis then lay,) and might separate
the two divisions of the American army, and endanger their safety.
To attain this object, (the separation of the two divisions
of the American army,) Col. Tarleton was now detached from
the main army of Lord Cornwallis, and was to be supported by his lordship,
and Gen. Leslie as soon as he arrived; with orders to push Morgan
to the utmost. Tarleton's force was his corps of cavalry and infantry
of five hundred and fifty men; the first battalion of the 71st,
of two hundred men; two hundred men of the 7th regiment, new recruits;
and fifty dragoons of the 17th regiment -- total one thousand men.
Morgan retreated before Tarleton till the commanding officer
in front of the British reported the American troops were halted and forming.
(17th Jan.) Lieut. Col. Tarleton, having obtained a position
he certainly might deem advantageous, did not hesitate to undertake
the measures his commander and his own judgment recommended.
He ordered the legion dragoons to drive in the militia,
that Morgan's disposition might be inspected. The American commander
had formed a front line of about one thousand militia;
his reserve of five hundred continental infantry, one hundred and twenty
of Washington's cavalry, and three hundred back woodsmen.
Tarleton ordered his infantry to disencumber themselves of every thing
except arms and ammunition, to file to the right, till they became equal
to the flank of the American front line; the legion infantry were added
to their left, and under the fire of a three pounder they were to advance
within three hundred yards of the enemy. This situation being acquired,
the 7th regiment was commanded to form on the left of the legion infantry,
and the other three pounder was given to its right. A captain with
fifty dragoons, was placed on each flank. The first battalion of the 71st
extended to the left of the 7th, one hundred and fifty yards in the rear,
and composed, with two hundred cavalry, the reserve.
The animation of the officers and soldiers promised assurances of success.
The troops moved in as good line as troops could move, at open files.
The militia, after a short contest, were dislodged. The British approached
the continentals, and the fire on both sides produced much slaughter.
The cavalry on the right were ordered to charge the enemy's left,
and executed the order with great gallantry, but were driven back
by the reserve and Col. Washington's cavalry. As the contest
between the British infantry and continentals was equally balanced,
Tarleton brought the 71st into line, and ordered a movement in reserve
to threaten the enemy's right flank. Upon the advance of the 71st
all the infantry again moved on; the continentals and back woodsmen
gave ground; the British rushed forwards; an order was despatched
to the cavalry to charge; an unexpected fire at this instant
from the Americans who came about, stopped the British and threw them
into confusion. Exertions to make them advance were useless.
The part of the cavalry which had not been engaged, fell likewise
into disorder, and an unaccountable panic extended along the whole line.
The Americans advanced and augmented their astonishment.
A general flight ensued. Neither promises nor threats could gain attention.
All attempts to restore order, recollection or courage proved fruitless.
Two hundred dragoons forsook their leader, fourteen officers
and forty horsemen were, however, not unmindful of their own reputation,
or their commanding officer. Col. Washington's cavalry were charged
and driven back into the continental infantry by this handful of brave men.
Another party who had seized upon the baggage were dispersed,
and this detachment retired towards Broad river unmolested.
The number of the killed and wounded at the Cowpens, amounted to
near three hundred on both sides, officers and men inclusive; this loss
was almost equally shared. But the Americans took two pieces of cannon,
the colours of the 7th regiment, and near four hundred prisoners."
Thus far Col. Tarleton. Gen. Moultrie received his account of this
action of the Cowpens "from an officer of great veracity and high rank,
who was conspicuous on that day;" supposed to be Col. Washington.
The substance of his account shall now be given; that the two may be compared.
Gen. Morgan drew up his men in an open pine barren, the militia
of about four hundred men, under Col. Pickens, formed the first line.
The continentals of about five hundred men, two hundred of whom
were raw troops, formed the second line, under Col. Howard, two hundred yards
in the rear. Col. Washington, with seventy-five continental cavalry,
and forty-five militia under Capt. M`Call, in the rear.
Pickens ordered his men to reserve their fire till the enemy came
within fifty yards, which they did, and fired with great success;
but they were soon obliged to give way and retreat behind the second line,
which received them warmly; at length the second line began to give way.
Col. Washington, perceiving this, rode up to their rear with his cavalry,
and told Howard, "if he would rally his men and charge the enemy's line,
he would charge the cavalry who were cutting down the militia."
His riding so close to the rear stopped the British, and Howard
rallied his men in the mean time, and charged with fixed bayonets.
Col. Washington charged the cavalry and routed them; the militia
at the same time recovered themselves and began to fire, and the whole
threw the enemy into the utmost confusion. Howard called out to them,
"to lay down their arms and they should have good quarters."
Upwards of five hundred men threw down their arms and surrendered.
Two hundred were left dead on the field, and a great number wounded.
Besides the two field pieces mentioned by Tarleton, six hundred men,
eight hundred stand of arms, and thirty-five baggage waggons, fell into
the hands of the Americans. Col. Washington pursued the British cavalry
twenty-five miles.
By this last account the disparity in numbers was not great,
and as one half the Americans were either militia or new levies,
the superiority was on the side of Tarleton, whose men, except two hundred,
were veterans, and he had two field pieces. The ground too he acknowledges
was advantageous; so that every thing was in his favour, but ~an agency~
which he could not control. But in the last account we can find no place
where he and his handful of brave men could encounter Col. Washington.
In his bewildered fancy perhaps it was some other object he encountered,
since for the space of five and twenty miles, not their faces,
but only their backs were to be seen. The fact is, that never was victory
more complete, never was vanity more humbled, nor cruelty more justly requited
than in the defeat of this tyrannical man. Its first effect was
to raise the spirits of the people; its ultimate consequence was
the downfall of Cornwallis and peace to the country. But most severe trials
are yet to be surmounted, and patriotism the most exemplary
remains yet to be recorded.
On the day the last letter of Greene, of the 23d Jan. was written,
Gen. Marion and Col. Lee projected a joint expedition to surprise Georgetown.
Capts. Carnes and Rudulph, with ninety men, dropped down the Pedee from
Snow's island in a boat, to fall in on the back of the town by Winyaw bay,
while Marion and Lee were to come down with the main body by land. --
Carnes with his party went ashore at Mitchell's landing, and marched
over his rice-field bank into the town at day light. The surprise
would have been complete, had they pushed up directly to the redoubt,
but they delayed too long on the Bay. They took the commandant,
Col. Campbell, out of his bed, and killed Major Irvine and some others;
but Marion and Lee could not arrive in time to cooperate.
The redoubt was alarmed and placed in a state of defence,
and Carnes was obliged to retreat. The great cause of delay
was the inclination to take the commandant, by which they lost
the fort and the town. Lieut. Cryer killed Irvine, by whose orders
he had received five hundred lashes some time before, for attempting
to take away his horse from Georgetown.
On the 28th Jan. Gen. Huger transmitted an order from Greene to Marion,
to strike at the posts beyond Santee. But this Gen. Marion
had anticipated. -- From Cordes' plantation, in advance,
at the distance of one hundred miles from Greene, and on the 29th Jan.
he had detached Col. Postell and Major Postell on this important service.
The latter had but thirty-eight men, and it is presumed from circumstances,
the colonel had about an equal number. The colonel burnt
a great quantity of valuable stores at Manigault's ferry,
and the major a great many more in its vicinity. -- Thence the latter
posted to Keithfield, near Monk's corner, and burnt fourteen waggons
loaded with soldiers' clothing, baggage and other valuable stores,
and took prisoners about forty British regulars, without losing a man.
To the Postells "nothing indeed appeared difficult." They received
the thanks of Gen. Greene.
About the beginning of this year, Gen. Marion appointed two aids,
Thomas Elliott and Lewis Ogier, the first of whom conducted
the most of his correspondence. He formed a mess of which
Col. Hugh Horry and Col. James Postell were inmates, and apparently
his principal counsellors; Serjt. Davis was his caterer, and supplied
his dinners, ~such as they were~: heretofore he had seldom any thing
but meat and sweet potatoes, and often not both of these at a time,
but now he had the luxury of rice. He did what was of more consequence
than this, he put in requisition all the saws in the country, and all
the blacksmiths, and made swords for four troops of militia cavalry. --
He had so little ammunition this expedient was necessary.
He gave the command of this corps to Col. Peter Horry,
who had been a captain with him in the second regiment and had been
an excellent infantry officer. -- His major was Benson, and his captains
John Baxter, John Postell, Daniel Conyers and James M`Cauley;
John T. Greene soon after succeeded Baxter, who was appointed colonel
on the resignation of Ervine. Hugh Horry had command of M`Donald's regiment,
who was a prisoner on parole, and ~his~ officers have been mentioned.
Capt. Wm. M`Cottry commanded a company of riflemen who were
the dread of the enemy. As the brigade was not strong enough
for this corps of horse to act in conjunction, single troops were
commonly detached by the general. At the head of a party of this cavalry
Col. Peter Horry had soon an opportunity to make a trial of his skill
in cavalry evolutions. He met and charged a troop of British horse
on Waccamaw neck, but by his own account he appears to have been
rather worsted, for he was unhorsed himself and his life saved
by Serjt. M`Donald; however he brought off some prisoners.
Major John Postell, who was mentioned before, was stationed to guard
the lower part of Pedee, had better fortune. On the 18th Jan.
Capt. James Depeyster, with twenty-nine grenadiers of the British army,
had posted himself in the dwelling house of the major's father, and Postell
commanded but twenty-eight militia men. Towards day on the morning after,
the major, by knowing well the ground and avoiding the sentinels,
got possession of the kitchen, and summoned Depeyster to surrender;
this was at first refused, and the major set fire to the kitchen.
He then summoned him a second time, with the positive declaration
if he did not surrender he would burn the house; the British
being intimidated, laid down their arms and surrendered unconditionally.
From a part of the correspondence of Gen. Marion with Capt. Saunders,
now commandant of Georgetown, it appears that he had either
soon after the 17th Jan. or before that, imprisoned Mr. John Postell,
the father of the major; Gen. Marion offers "to exchange him,
and hopes humanity will induce Capt. Saunders to treat him like a gentleman."*
Mr. John Postell was at least seventy years of age, and much afflicted
with disease, but possessed the spirit of a Cato.
--
* Marion's letter, 22d February.
--
Soon after this, Col. Peter Horry had a conflict with Major Ganey
at White's bridge, near Georgetown, which had a more decisive effect
than could have been expected at the time. Early in the morning
he made a charge upon a party who were killing beeves at the camp
near that place. They fled and were pursued through the woods
on the left towards Georgetown, with some disorder on the side of Horry.
In the mean time the firing was heard in the town, and their tory friends
came out to their assistance. A kind of savage warfare now took place
in the woods, between the Sampit and Black river roads,
during the whole morning. A party of Horry's was at one time seen advancing,
and the tories retreating; then again the tories were advancing,
and a party of Horry's retreating. At one time the commander
was left as he thought alone, and Capt. Lewis at the head of a party
was rushing on to shoot him down, when suddenly from behind a tree
off went the gun of a boy by the name of Gwyn, and shot Lewis,
whose party thinking more guns were behind trees ran away.
As Lewis fell his gun went off and killed Horry's horse.
Finally the tories were routed. In this affair Serjt. M`Donald
performed essential service; he had singled out Ganey as his object of attack,
and the latter fled from him. -- In going at full speed down
the Black river road, at the corner of Richmond fence, M`Donald shot
one of Ganey's men, and overtaking him soon after thrust a bayonet
up to the hilt in his back; the bayonet separated from the gun, and Ganey
carried it into Georgetown; he recovered, but tired of a garrison life,
after a few months he and his men deserted the British.
As the navigation of the Wateree river was at that time imperfect,
the British were obliged to have most of their stores of rum, salt,
ammunition and clothing sent over land, across Nelson's ferry, to Camden,
and as the Americans were destitute of these articles,
constant conflicts took place upon that road to obtain them from the enemy.
To secure these, they had established a line of posts, at Biggen, at Nelson's,
and at Scott's lake. Besides this protection, their supplies were always
attended by escorts, which, since the enterprizes of the two Postells,
seldom consisted of less than three or four hundred men.
About the middle of February, Major M'Ilraith was marching from Nelson's ferry
at the head of one of these escorts, and Marion with about an equal force
assailed him near Halfway swamp, on the road; he first cut off two pickets
in his rear in succession, then wheeling round his main body,
attacked him in flank and in front. As M'Ilraith had no cavalry,
his situation became perilous in the extreme. By a forced march,
and constant skirmishing, he at length gained a field upon the road,
now belonging to Mr. Matthew James; and as it was open and enclosed,
he posted himself on the west of the road, within the enclosure.
On the east, skirting the road, there is a large cypress pond
stretching towards Halfway swamp, and on the verge of this
Marion pitched his camp. Here M'Ilraith sent him a flag,
reproaching him with shooting his pickets, contrary, as he alleged,
to all the laws of civilized warfare, and defying him to a combat
in the open field. Marion replied, that the practice of the British
in burning the houses of all who would not submit and join them,
was more indefensible than that of shooting pickets, and that
as long as they persisted in the one he would persevere in the other.
That as to his defiance, he considered it that of a man
in desperate circumstances; but if he wished to witness a combat
between twenty picked men on each side, he was ready to gratify him.
The offer was accepted, and a place pitched upon to the south of an oak tree,
which still stands in the field. Accordingly, Gen. Marion
appointed Maj. John Vanderhorst, then a supernumerary officer,
to take command of this band, and Capt. Samuel Price, of All Saints,
to be second in command. The names of the men were written on slips of paper,
and presented to them individually, and the first slip was handed
to Gavin Witherspoon. Not one refused. Vanderhorst formed in Indian file,
and they proceeded to the fence, where Gen. Marion met and harangued them
to the following effect: "My brave soldiers! you are twenty men
picked this day out of my whole brigade. I know you all,
and have often witnessed your bravery. In the name of your country,
I call upon you once more to show it. My confidence in you is great,
and I am sure it will not be disappointed. Fight like men,
fight as you have always done, and you are sure of the victory."
This short speech was received with applause by the combatants.
Vanderhorst now asked Witherspoon, "What distance would you choose
as the surest to strike with buck shot?" "Fifty yards for the first fire,"
was the reply. Then, said the commander, "when we get within fifty yards,
my boys, as I am not a good judge of distances, Mr. Witherspoon will tap me
on the shoulder. I will then give the word, and you will form on my left
opposite those fellows. As you form, each man will fire at the one directly
opposite him, and my word for it, few will be left for a second shot."
The British had now formed in a single line in front of the oak,
and Vanderhorst advanced boldly on within one hundred yards.
At this juncture, an officer was seen to pass swiftly on toward the oak,
and the enemy shouldered their muskets and retreated with a quick step
towards the main body. Vanderhorst and his men gave them three huzzas!
but did not at that distance fire a shot. Thus a British officer
was met on his own boasted ground and proved recreant. The next morning
Major M`Ilraith abandoned his heavy baggage, left his fires burning,
and retired silently from the ground, along the river road towards
Singelton's mill, distant ten miles. Near day Marion discovered his movement,
and detached Col. Hugh Horry with one hundred men to get ahead of him,
before he should reach the mill. The colonel made all possible speed,
but finding he could not overtake him, detached Major James
at the head of a party mounted on the swiftest horses,
to cross the mill pond above, and take possession of Singelton's houses,
which stood on a high hill, commanding a narrow defile on the road,
between the hill and Wateree swamp. Major James reached the houses
as the British advanced to the foot of the hill; but found Singelton's family
down with the small pox. This was more dreaded than the enemy.
He gave them one fire, by which a captain was killed, and retired.
As M`Ilraith was now in a strong hold, Marion pursued him no further.
The character of Major M`Ilraith has been constantly represented
by the inhabitants of this state, among whom he passed
as the most humane of all the officers of the British army.
To those in their power even forbearance was at that time a virtue,
but his virtues were active. It has been currently reported that he carried
his dislike to house burning so far, that he neglected to carry into effect
the orders of his commander in chief on that point to such an extent,
as to gain his ill will and that of many other British officers. --
How much it is to be regretted that the rigid rules of warfare
should have arrayed such a man in opposition to Marion, when both professed
the same humane principles.
We come now to the most interesting part of the warfare of Gen. Marion,
which, bringing into action all the energies of his officers and men,
at the same time developed all the skill and patience of their commander.
At the juncture of the retreat of Gen. Greene before Cornwallis,
Sumter and Marion were left alone in South Carolina; Sumter on the Catawba,
in York district, and Marion on the Pedee, at Snow's island,
about two hundred miles apart, and Lord Rawdon directly between them,
with a much superior force. Thus situated his lordship laid
a well digested plan to crush Marion. Col. Watson with a British regiment,
and Harrison's regiment of tories, amounting in the whole
to more than five hundred men, was ordered to march down the Santee,
towards Snow's island; and he commenced his expedition from Fort Watson
about the first of March.
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