Francis Marion- Hero of the Revolution

I did have this amazing post about the Declaration of Independence. But then I started thinking about Heros of the Revolution.
We recently watched the movie " The Patriot" and while it is an awesome film, it is also historically incorrect in many places.
the Real Patriot was Francis Marion nicknamed the "swamp fox" by the British for his elusive tactics. You could probably say he and his militia was the original special forces.
It was in South Carolina in 1780, that he gained notoriety by slipping in to the swamps of the low country with his band of guerillas to launch attacks  against the British.

Marion showed himself to be a singularly able leader of irregular militiamen and ruthless in his terrorizing of Loyalists. Unlike the Continental troops, Marion's Men, as they were known, served without pay, supplied their own horses, arms and often their food.

Marion rarely committed his men to frontal warfare, but repeatedly surprised larger bodies of Loyalists or British regulars with quick surprise attacks and equally quick withdrawal from the field. After the surrender of Charleston, the British garrisoned South Carolina with help from local Tories, except for Williamsburg (the present Pee Dee), which they were never able to hold. The British made one attempt to garrison Williamsburg at Willtown, but were driven out by Marion at the Battle of Black Mingo.

Cornwallis observed "Colonel Marion had so wrought the minds of the people, partly by the terror of his threats and cruelty of his punishments, and partly by the promise of plunder, that there was scarcely an inhabitant between the Santee and the Peedee that was not in arms against us".

In 1780 Colonel Tarlton was sent to find and capture Marion. The British followed Marion and his troops for over 26 miles through the Carolina swamps but Marion eluded them. Tarlton swore that even the Devil himself could not capture the him and they gave up.

Marion later on would serve in the South Carolina State Senate, and then serve as Commander of Fort Johnson in South Carolina. It as basically a courtesy title with a promise payment of 500 English pounds per year, but that was changed with the economy and changed to 500 continental dollars per year.

He died on his Estate in 1795 at the age of 63.

Francis Marions legacy lives on though throughout the low country of South Carolina, ever been up
I-95 and crossed "Lake Marion" ? yes, it is named after the swamp fox. There is also Marion National Forest near Charleston, Marion County, South Carolina, Francis Marion University. Across the United States there are also many municipalities named after him.
He is buried at Belle Island Plantation Cemetary in Berkely County, SC. His gravestone reads the following: 

Sacred to the memory
of
GEN. FRANCIS MARION,
who departed this life on the 27th February 1795
in the sixty-third year of his age
deeply regretted by all his fellow-citizens.
History will record his worth and rising generations
embalm his memory as one of the most distinguished
PATRIOTS AND HEROES OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
which elevated his native country to honor and independence
and secured to her the blessings of liberty and peace.
This tribute of veneration and gratitude is erected in
commemoration of the noble and disinterested virtues
of the citizen and the gallant exploits of the soldier
who lived without fear and died without reproach.



4th of July

“...It will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more.”
-John Adams ( in a letter to his wife Abigal shortly after the signing)


Its another 4th of July in our Country. Celebrating our nations birthday, so many have lost sight of  why we have this day. In 1776 the Declaration of Independence was written and signed on July 2nd. That one document changed our world forever. We were a young nation, free of tyranny. It was a real reason to celebrate.
So here we here some 200 + years later...are we still free? Are we still under the effects of tryanny?
hmmmm interesting questions to ponder for this July 4th.  This holiday is so very important to our countries history, I do think that this year July 4th is one of the most important ever, as we the people are once again fighting for our freedoms and fighting to break the chains of tyranny.

I hope you all who read my little blog have a wonderful and safe 4th of July!