General Francis “Swamp Fox” Marion

General Francis “Swamp Fox” Marion. . Francis Marion was born in 1732 on his family’s plantation in St. John’s parish, Berkeley County, South Carolina. Marion became famous for his highly effective use of guerilla warfare and he served as a model for the future United States Army Rangers. Marion started his military career in the French and Indian Wars fighting against the Cherokee Nation. He was active in fighting the British during the Revolutionary War and acquired his nickname the ‘Swamp Fox” because of his expert use of irregular fighting. Marion led three regiments of horse cavalry during the war. The Swamp Fox’s men wore scarlet uniforms with silver pins in their hats inscribed with the motto “Liberty or Death”.

Early in the Revolutionary War, Marion took part in operations to capture British occupied Charlestown and Savannah. Against superior British forces, the Americans failed to take the cities. Frustrated, Marion for independence. (sic) Marion used mounted attacks throughout South Carolina, even after American conventional forces left the region. Their operations of “hit and run” tactics against occupation forces that angered Marion’s foes and the use of bases in swamps he successfully attacked British garrisons and disrupted their operations. (sic) After fighting the British, The South Carolinian irregulars would return to their farms and homes. English commanders became irritated at their inability to defeat Marion’s men. One of Francis Marion’s greatest victories was his capture of Georgetown, South Carolina in 1781. Georgetown was one of four major garrisons occupied by the British in South Carolina. Francis Marion has become a legend of the Revolutionary War for his ability to elude and strike his opponents at will. Marion’s force tied down English troops in the South where they were no threat to General George Washington in the North.