With the Swamp Fox

General Marion's whereabouts, fired us four comrades to such a degree that right willingly would we hav

but, while it was no surprise that he should have continued making every effort to work harm to the f

t being able to do as much mischief as in this case, when our p

es realized that, instead of pushing on, we must

l, were so sorely afflicted, there is nothing of particular moment to write, except that I set

ncampment, were we urging our jaded steeds through that gloomy swamp known a

it was sufficient, so far as eluding the Britishers was concerned, because they might not

of mercy or compassion, it is only just to give him the cre

at not a single moment would be lost in the pursuit. Ride as fast and as constantly as we might, his men would be ever on our

over bogs and through swamps until it was arrived at Benbow's Ferry

roundabout from which we must draw provisions and provender. As a rallying point it could not have been equalled in the Carolinas, and sho

, General Marion set about

re prepared to meet Tarleton's much-vaunted legion, reasoning that our de

ld not be doubtful, but where the conquerors might for a certain length of time hold und

he struggle in the Carolinas should

men and children, until he was come to within less than twelve miles of our camp, when, to the sur

of us believed then, and yet hold to it, that the redcoated Britisher who could be so courageous when he had n

ing numbers every day, much was done by

ss, so far as the Cause was concerned. The Britishers had ninety-two killed and one hundred and four wounded. Among the Americans only three were

of a bullock which was slung as a litter between two horses, and thus, guarded by an hundred picked

the British, under Major Ferguson, were defeated handsomely, the killed, wounded and captu

nal victory if we could but hold out as we had begun, and this seemed most probabl

etown, or, having the good fortune to come across detachments of the redcoats who were guarding store-trains, until, should I attempt to repeat all the little adv

n that I must close this record which has been intended only to show what we comrades did,

people most needed as a base of operations against Charlest

possession of the place. In addition to that, it was a depot for supplies of salt, clothing and ammu

re it was to this end that our general proposed to bend all his energies, and in the proposition he was seconded ably by such foll

ce, perhaps to the number of four thousand men, and we knew f

Fox," that we could succeed, and, as can well be fancied, none of our people were averse to an attempt under those circu

p, carrying with us all our equipage and so much of provisions as could be gathered from the country round about, and cros

r the benefit of those who are not acq

Black River and the other into Sampit, completely cuts off the post, which stands on the north side of the last-named riv

inally came to a halt, having, as was believed

question seriously, otherwise would we have heard from the old man concerning several moves that would

om the post, five hundred and fifty strong, each one mounted and carrying so much

venture to be devoted to the Cause, and, therefore, could say to a certainty that we were thu

to ride down upon Georgetown as we had ridden into many a British camp before, doing more t

s horse in anticipation of the work to come when the speed of the anim

all, save that line of sentinels which hemmed us in to keep prying eyes at a

adventure side by side, and carve out for ourselves such names as sh

did carve out a

up his ears, each eager to be among those who might distinguish themselves. "Two squads of twenty each, and so ma

, and the blood fairly leaped in my veins when I saw that

n his life for the others, and it was that spirit which fin

s been proven many and many a time before, and therefore each and every one is entitled to the honor of making his life the sacrifice for the others; but, unfortunately for your desires, only forty m

be the one who would give up his life for the other, and among them all were we four comrades, tried and true-comrades who we

le, his eyes all aflame, and more enthusiasm showing in that

hatically as at this moment-when every man of you is eager to offer up his life, and in that for which the volunteers are called I do assure you there are eight chance

ho should die first, for all knew that this attack upon the well-fortified, over-garrisoned post of Georgetown was no child

neral may select another, each making his choice until the forty have been chosen. Let it be remembered that in this case I exercise the right to use favoritism, for there be among you lads of my own bl

oud am I to write i

rt Su

shed with pardonable pride, an

iel M

ncle next called, an

Withe

be remembered, as I fondly believe, long after we are gone from this world, and in all

if life had suddenly lost all its charm,

ull number two paces in advance of all the rest, and then it was my uncle said, moving up and dow

on this earth. Therefore I pray you, those who have any request to make, speak

o count twenty, and then Gabriel Marion, dear lad that h

ave been comrades since I joined the brigade-us four who have eaten and slept together, may not be separated when you shall divide thi

y uncle replied, and then t

uld he fail to return, evidence might be sent his kinsmen

d so on until perhaps half a dozen

ined that we march forth to lay down our l

much as did Gavin Witherspoon, that we were to make an attack upon two portions of the town, while the remainder of the brigade,

t it would be sweet to live until we had thrown off the king's yoke, for at this moment when we stood face to face with death, almost feeling the great white angel's cold hand upon us, I was as certai

of true bravery been shown as we saw then when the only discontent was because one

line after such arrangements ha

but that Captain Horry prevented any such outburst lest scouting parties of the enemy might

man who should lead our squad, and Cap

s in doubt, claiming, as he said, that we had the right to know exa

d reconnoiter on the opposite side of the post; but neither was to return,

assault the enemy independently; but were to make a detour, each squad half around the p

he first alarm, wherever we of the chosen ones might be, we would joi

uld have given us greater confidence in the adventure than that he should se

o leave-taki

Melton, advancing at the head of our squad, for by this tim

I understand it, our work is rather in the nature of spying than of

op after him who had promised to show them some desirable place of entertainment, and as we threaded our way through the swamp Gabriel

so great a boon as to call my name, and when yours was spoken by Major James the t