A Biography of Francis Marion, The Swamp Fox

Francis Marion, also known as the "swamp fox" was presumed to have been born in 1732 in St. John's Parrish, South Carolina. No accurate birth records were kept at that time in many of the thirteen original colonies. He was the youngest of six children.

He was nicknamed "swamp fox" by the British because of his ability to move around swiftly, and then employ evasive techniques among the forests and swamps of South Carolina. These tactics were much like those used later in the Civil War by General Stonewall Jackson.

Francis Marion began his life as a farmer in an area of South Carolina called Pond's bluff. He began to fight against the Cherokee in the uprising of 1760-1761. It is believed he learned many of his fighting techniques and elusiveness from the Indians. This would prove most useful during the Revolutionary War as he became a distinguished leader and soldier. His horsemanship and marksmanship were unprecedented.

Marion formed his own militia and fought in many battles against the British; mostly in South Carolina where he knew the terrain better than the enemy; and, in fact, better than his own army. Growing up in the area where he fought made him capable of attack in a ghost-like manner and evading capture in many battles and skirmishes.

The "swamp fox" was quick witted and unafraid to take risks. He escaped capture during the surrender of Charleston because he had jumped from a second floor building and broken an ankle a month before.

Marion was not perfect in battle. He was forced to retreat at Georgetown in 1780 and unsuccessful during his second attack on Georgetown in 1781. Despite these two failures, he was promoted to Brigadier General and formed "Marion's Brigade".

Francis Marion or "swamp fox" were fearful words around British campfires. He was fearless and could strike and vanish before the enemy could determine his position. He and his men crippled 50 British warships from a makeshift fort on a tiny island off the coast of South Carolina. This was the first major victory of the Revolution.

Marion's army was militia, primarily formed from volunteers in his native South Carolina where most of their battles were fought. Because they were not "Regular Army", they were not given the respect they should have been afforded. This military disrespect came not only from the Army of the Revolution, but from the enemy as well, although his tactics and successes were noted by both sides.

After South Carolina joined the union, Marion retired to his old plantation of Pond's Bluff where he died quietly on February 27, 1795.

Sources: library.thinkquest.org/11683/FMarion.html

Patriotresource.com/people/marion/summary

Darter.OCPS.net/classroom/revolution/marion.htm

Encyclopedia Britannica, copyright 1974