The Life of General Francis Marion 

Review by George Thurmond (Georgia Society SAR)

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Francis Marion may best be credited with the creation of the first Special Forces, for his role in South Carolina was that of a celebrated Partisan Officer who kept the flame for independence alive during the entire time that the British held South Carolina. After the original publication date of 1809, General Horry furnished information to Parson Mason Weems who developed a reputation of embellishing the truth. For instance, it was Parson Weems who's Life of Washington that created the story of Washington cutting down a cherry tree. Needless to say, General Horry, who rode with Francis Marion, was not enthusiastic about the completed story. This is a revealing story about a determined Patriot who continued to fight against all odds and was always able to elude the British because he knew the countryside better than his adversary. Marion was always somewhat surrounded by the British, yet he could anticipate their every move. Hence, the nickname, Swamp Fox. There is a story in Chapter XVII that sums up all for the Patriots and the American Revolution: A young officer was sent with a flag of truce to discuss a prisoner exchange. Being led blindfolded into Marion's secret camp, the officer was startled to see the troops ragged, unshaven, and shoeless with a minimum of weapons. Being treated to dine on baked sweet potatoes with the famous General Marion, the officer was further startled to learn that all of the soldiers had served the general for years without pay. Upon returning to his Georgetown post, the officer looked so serious that his Colonel asked why the desperate look. The officer replied " "Why sir, I have seen an American General and his officers, without pay, and almost without clothes, living on roots and drinking water; all for Liberty! What chance have we against such men!" The resurgence in patriotism following the movie, "The Patriot", led to the republication of this book. This is great reading and is highly recommended.

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