Francis Marion, an American revolutionary officer, born in Winyaw, near Georgetown, S. C., in 1732, died near Eutaw, S. C, Feb. 28, 1795. Ho was of a Huguenot family which emigrated from France to South Carolina about 1690. He received little education, for which the facilities in his native district were then very slight. In 1759 he was a volunteer m an expedition against the Cherokees, and served 111 a cavalry troop commanded by one of his six brothers. In 1760 and 1761 he was again in the field on similar expeditions, He led the forlorn hope in the battle of Etchoee, and was one of the few who escaped. In 1775, at the outbreak of the revolution, he was elected to the provincial congress of South Carohna from St. John's parish, Berkeley. In the military organization which ensued, he was made (June 21, 1775) a captain in the regiment of which William Moultrie was colonel. Marion's company was one of those despatched from Charleston for the capture of the British fort Johnson. The place was taken, and the guns were directed upon the men-of-war in the harbor. The British shipping was completely expelled from the harbor by the cannon from another fort established by Moultrie on Haddrell's point. A fortification at Dorchester was confided to Marion, who was promoted in his regiment.

He was soon summoned thence to the defence of the fort begun on Sullivan's island, menaced by a powerful British fleet. It was assailed before it was finished, but the hostile fleet was repelled with great loss. In February, 1777, Marion was despatched with 600 men to the defence of Georgia, where he served at intervals until the British with overwhelming forces had gained possession of the state. Fort Moultrie (Sullivan) was again confided to his charge, and he held this post during Gen. Prevost's attempt at a coip de main on Charleston (1779). Subsequently he joined the united French and American forces in the fruitless attack pn Savannah. During the siege of Charleston he accidentally broke his leg, and was therefore conveyed with all other invalids out of the city. As he grew able for service, the Caro-linas being left almost defenceless, he gathered his neighbors about him and laid the foundation of that brigade which finally became famous for its partisan successes. Meantime Gen. Gates had been despatched by congress to take command of the southern army.

At the approach of the continental forces, Marion, then a colonel, joined them in North Carolina; but so wretched were his equipments, and so paltry his numbers, that Gates remarked only the ridicule which they provoked in the camp, and failed to appreciate their patriotism and ability. He despatched Marion on an idle mission to cut up the boats on the rivers to prevent the escape of the British. A few days later Gates was defeated m the battle of" Camden (Aug. 16, 1780), while Marion, waylaying the British guards, dispersed them and rescued their continental prisoners. From this period dates the series of adventurous flights, forages, marches, countermarches, and surprises which distinguished the brigade of Marion until the establishment of peace. lie kept alive the spirit of patriotism, taught the inexperienced frontier-man to be both bold and vigilant, how to discipline himself, and how to arm and support himself, at a time when the country had no resources for him. In 1780 Marion was promoted to a brigadiership, and his command was termed a brigade whether it numbered 20 or 1,200 men. It is impossible to pursue in detail the progress of so restless and eager a chieftain in a career marked by so great a variety of action and resource. Even popular tradition fails to follow him.

His camp at Snow's island, his potato feast to the British officer, his quiet humor when dealing with both friend and foe, his perpetual vigilance and sudden movements, have all entered into the legends of the country. Though Snow's island, a natural fortress of swamps and forests accessible only under good guidance, was his favorite hiding place, yet he had other retreats in almost every swamp of Carolina, where he found ready refuge from a superior enemy, and whence he could rapidly emerge. His food was chiefly potatoes and corn; his only drink was vinegar and water; for months he slept without a blanket, and marched without a hat; and he trained his followers to his own habit of cheerful endurance. He disciplined in his style of warfare many young officers, who proved in time worthy of their master. In December, 1780, Gen. Greene, superseding Gates, took command of the southern army. He was able to appreciate the courage and services of Marion, who now united his brigade with the main army or acted separately, as the occasion or the wishes of the continental general required. He was Greene's great resource for obtaining intelligence; had his spies in the British camps and garrisons, in Camden, Charleston, Georgetown, and Savannah; and was himself almost ubiquitous with his brigade.

He baffled Tarleton, Barfield, Doyley, Gainey, McArthur, Coffin, and We-myss, all of whom, were in turn or in concert despatched for his express capture or defeat. After Cornwallis had driven Greene's army out of the state Marion held his ground, pressed his predatory warfare to the gates of Charleston, and interrupted the line of communication between the metropolis and all parts of the interior. Col. Watson with a picked force was sent to expel or crush him. Major Gainey, of whom great expectations were formed, was also sent in pursuit; yet he was defeated by Marion, narrowly escaping with his life. Col. Tyne, whom Marion had once before defeated, was also on his track, and was again foiled. Major Mcllraith, sent with another division to cooperate with Watson, was in close pursuit of him, but he baffled them both, so palpably that Mcllraith was disgraced. The next auxiliary of Watson was Col. Doyle, subsequently distinguished as a British general in India. Each took the field with a regiment of British, and a large additional force of loyalists. Unable openly to meet either division, Marion determined to prevent their junction.

Watson was led into one ambush after another until, having lost a large part of his men, he reached Georgetown. Marion then turned upon Doyle, who made a precipitate retreat and avoided him. This retreat was in part occasioned by the necessities of Rawdon, who called in his detachments at the approach of Greene. Being joined by Lee's legion and supplied with ammunition, Marion determined to attack Fort Watson on the San-tee river. It was on high ground, and as he was without artillery, towers made of logs were extemporized during the night, and raised sufficiently high to enable the riflemen to plant themselves on an elevation equal to that of the fortress; and while the sharpshooters plied their bullets, a storming party scaled the walls, and the garrison surrendered. Lee then rejoined Greene, but after the battle of Hobkirk's Hill aided Marion in investing Fort Motte on the Congaree. The besiegers again felt the want of artillery, but Mrs. Motte, the original owner of the house around which the fort had been constructed, furnished an Indian bow with arrows, which, tipped with combustibles, set fire to the roof over the heads of tin- garrison, which then capitulated.

Marion distinguished himself by prudence and humanity superior to his times, and prevented Lee's Hun from hanging some of the prisoners. Some causes of complaint tempted him soon after to resign his commission and join the main army under Washington; but Greene succeeded in dissuading and retaining him. and he was soon repeating his exploits on the skirt-Lord Rawdon's forces, and while holding him in check captured Georgetown. He subsequently joined Greene and Sumter in the pursuit of Rawdon, till he intrenched himself in Orangeburg, and declined battle. After the evacuation of Orangeburg and the departure of Rawdon for Europe, the forces of Marion and Sumter swept the country to the gates of Charleston, He then resumed his independent command in the Santee country, took an important part in the battle of Eutaw Springs (Sept. 8,1781), and pursued the enemy in their retreat. The British were gradually confined almost to the walls of Charleston, and the legislature of the state again assembled for the purpose of restoring civil authority. Marion steadily refused to engage in any unnecessary enterprise after the prospect of peace.

He disbanded his brigade soon after the British fleet and army evacuated Charleston (Dec. 14, 1782), taking a tender farewell of his followers, and returned to the avocations of a farmer almost in poverty. He was subsequently returned to the senate of the state by the rice-tors of St. John's parish, Berkeley. In 1784 he accepted the appointment under the state of commandant of Fort Johnson, and soon after married. In 1790 he was a member of the convention for framing a state constitution, and in 1794 he resigned his commission as one of the generals of the state militia. He was buried at Belle Isle, in the parish of St John's, and a slight oblong tomb, the tribute of a private citizen, covers the remains of one of the purest men. truest patriots, and most adroit generals that American history can boast.