Book: The Life of General Francis Marion

M >> Mason Locke Weems >> The Life of General Francis Marion




On the morrow they came, and "let the cat out of the bag." It appeared then,
that that most worthless fellow, Johnson, had told the poor simple recruits
such dreadful stories about the war, that in their fright they had offered him
all their cows and calves to get them off!

Our success in the recruiting business far exceeded our expectations,
for in a very short time we made up our full complement of sixty men each.
I have often lamented it as a most serious misfortune that we did not enlist
for the war. I am certain we could as easily have enlisted for the war
as for six months. We should then have had a host of veterans,
masters of their dreadful art, inured to hardships, scornful of danger,
and completely able to purge our country of her cruel invaders.

As a place of greater security from the enemy's vessels, Dorchester had
been pitched on as a deposite for ammunition and military stores,
and put under a guard of militia. But fearing that the tories
might rise upon this slender force and take away our powder,
an article, at that time, of incalculable value, the council of safety
advised to add a company of regulars, under some brave and vigilant officer.
Marion had the honor to be nominated to the command,
and, on the 19th of November, 1775, marched to the post, where he continued,
undisturbed by the tories, until Christmas, when he was ordered
down to Charleston to put fort Johnson in a state of defence.

About this time an affair happened in Charleston, which filled with horror
all who witnessed it. Captain Fuller, of the second regiment,
a gentleman in other respects very amiable and exemplary,
gave himself up to hard drinking, and to such an excess as brought on
an inflammation in the brain. In this frantic state, with wild rolling eyes,
and a face shockingly bloated and red, he would behave for all the world
as if he were leading his men into action. "Come on, my brave fellows,"
he would cry, "now be cool and steady -- reserve your fire till I say the word
-- now give it to them, my heroes -- hurra, they run, they run.
I thank you, my lads, for your gallantry in your country's cause."

All this time the sweat would roll in torrents down his cheeks.
Then, quite exhausted, he would fall on his knees, and with clasped hands,
and eyes lifted to heaven, would pronounce the Lord's Prayer and the creed
in the most moving manner. For several days the soldiers gathered around him
while thus employed: and often with tears in their eyes,
would observe the total ruin which intemperance had brought upon
this once elegant young gentleman. -- His friends in the country,
hearing of his deplorable condition, came and took him home,
where death soon put an end to all his miseries.

In a short time after this, our regiment was deprived of another
very genteel young officer, lieutenant Perrineau; who also fell
an early sacrifice to that most shameful and detestable practice
of morning slings and mid-day draughts of strong grog.

After these two tragedies, the reader will not, I hope, be displeased
with the following farce, which was acted in fort Johnson,
while Marion was repairing it, in January, 1776. The principal actors in it,
were captain Marion, and a young lieutenant, whose name, delicacy,
yet a while, bids me suppress. This officer, though in his person
as handsome as Absalom, or the blooming Adonis, was as destitute of soul
as a monkey. He appeared to have no idea above that of dress and diversion:
and provided he could but compass his own little pitiful ends,
which were always of the sensual sort, he cared not how shamefully
he prevaricated and lied, but would wink, and grin, and chuckle,
as if he had done some great thing. He had served under a score of captains,
who had all spoken of him as a slippery, worthless fellow,
whom they knew not what to do with. But though most heartily despised,
the fool had the vanity to think himself amazingly clever;
and actually boasted to me one day, that he would soon let me see
how far he was over my famous captain Marion's speed. Presently he hears
that there is to be, next week, a great cock-fight at Dorchester.
Instantly his childish spirits are all on a fever to see the cock-fight.
"Oh heavens! he would not miss the cock-fight for the world!"
But how to obtain leave of absence from the fort at this busy time,
was the rub; however, for such means as he was capable of using,
an invention like his could not long be at a loss. In short,
he went to Marion, with a doleful face, and in piteous accents,
stated that his father, an excellent old man as ever son was blessed with,
was at his last gasp, and only wanted to see him before he died.

The generous Marion, not suspecting that so goodly an outside
could cover such falsehood, did not wait to hear the coming petition,
but instantly granted his wish, unheard -- "To be sure, lieutenant, go,
by all means, go and wait upon your father; but return as soon as possible,
for you see how much we have to do."

The lieutenant affected to be quite overcome with Marion's generosity,
and swore he would be back in two days, or at farthest in three.
As he stepped along by me, he thrust his tongue into his cheek,
and looked prodigiously arch, as if he had achieved a grand exploit.

As soon as he was gone, I told Marion I suspected it was all a trick.
And so it turned out; for instead of hurrying off, as he had pretended,
to see his dying father, he slipt over to Charleston, where,
for fear of being seen by any of our officers, he skulked about
in the lower lanes and alleys until it was time to go up to the cock-fight
at Dorchester.

At length after a fortnight's absence, he came over to the fort,
and entering the marquee, where Marion was sitting with his officers,
he began to bow and scrape. As if not perceiving him,
Marion turned his head another way. The lieutenant then,
exceedingly embarrassed, came out with his apology, -- "I am sorry, sir,
to have outstayed my time so long; but -- but I could not help it --
but now I am returned to do my duty."

Marion turned very quickly upon him, and with a most mortifying neglect,
said, "Aye, lieutenant, is that you? Well, never mind it --
there is no harm done -- I never missed you."

The poor lieutenant was so completely cut up, that he could not say a word,
but sneaked off, hanging down his head, and looked much more
like a detected swindler than a gentleman soldier.

The officers, who were all prodigiously pleased with his confusion,
presently went out and began to rally him -- "Ah, ha, lieutenant,
and so the captain has given you a set down."

"A set down," replied he, very angrily, "a set down, do you call it!
I had rather a thousand times he had knocked me down --
an ugly, cross, knock-kneed, hook-nosed son of a b-t-h!"

The officers almost split their sides with laughing.
The story soon took wind; and the poor lieutenant did not hear the last of it
for many a day. I have often heard him say, that nothing ever
so completely confounded him, as did that dry, cutting speech of Marion.

"I was never at a loss before," said he, "to manage all other officers
that were ever set over me. As for our colonel, (meaning Moultrie)
he is a fine, honest, good-natured old buck. But I can wind him
round my finger like a pack thread. But as for the stern, keen-eyed Marion,
I dread him."

The truth is, Marion wished his officers to be gentlemen.
And whenever he saw one of them acting below that character,
he would generously attempt his reformation. And few men, perhaps,
ever knew better how to manage truants from duty.

To a coarse, conceited chap, like our lieutenant, Marion gave no quarter,
but checked him at once, but still in a way that was quite gentlemanly,
and calculated to overawe. He kept him at arms' length --
took no freedoms with him -- nor allowed any -- and when visited on business,
he would receive and treat him with a formality sufficient to let him see
that all was not right.

The effect of such management evinced the correctness of Marion's judgment.
The young lieutenant became remarkably polite, and also attentive to duty.
In short, no subaltern behaved better. And this very happy change
in his manners, was soon succeeded by as pleasing a change in the sentiments
of all around him. The officers of the regiment grew fond of him --
Marion spoke of him with pleasure, as an excellent soldier --
and he of Marion, as his best friend.

This is sufficient to show the truth of the remark made by Aristotle --
"that there is no art so difficult and godlike as that of managing men
to their own happiness and glory."




Chapter 4.

The clouds of danger darker and darker -- two additional regiments raised --
Marion promoted to a majority -- fort Moultrie built --
A British fleet and army invade Carolina -- grand preparations
to receive them -- admirable patriotism of the Charleston ladies --
heavy attack on fort Moultrie -- glorious defence of the garrison.



The cloud of war growing still darker and darker every day,
the council of safety determined to raise a regiment of artillery,
and another of infantry. In consequence of this, several of the officers
of the former regiments were promoted. Among these was my friend Marion,
who from the rank of captain, was raised to a majority.
His field of duties became, of course, much more wide and difficult,
but he seemed to come forward to the discharge of them
with the familiarity and alertness of one who, as general Moultrie
used to say, was born a soldier. In fact, he appeared never so happy,
never so completely in his element, as when he had his officers and men
out on parade at close training. And for cleanliness of person,
neatness of dress, and gentlemanly manners, with celerity and exactness
in performing their evolutions, they soon became the admiration and praise
both of citizens and soldiers. And indeed I am not afraid to say
that Marion was the `architect' of the second regiment, and laid
the foundation of that excellent discipline and confidence in themselves,
which gained them such reputation whenever they were brought
to face their enemies.

In March, 1776, I was sent over with my company, to Sullivan's island,
to prevent the landing of the British from the men-of-war,
the Cherokee and Tamar, then lying in Rebellion road. I had not been long
on that station, before Col. Moultrie came over with his whole regiment
to erect a fort on the island.

The truth is, the governor had of late become confoundedly afraid of a visit
from the British. The great wealth in Charleston must, he thought,
by this time, have set their honest fingers to itching --
and we also suspected that they could hardly be ignorant
what a number of poor deluded gentlemen, called tories, we had among us.

The arrival of colonel Moultrie, with the second regiment, afforded me
infinite satisfaction. It brought me once more to act in concert with Marion.
'Tis true, he had got one grade above me in the line of preferment;
but, thank God, I never minded that. I loved Marion, and "love,"
as every body knows, "envieth not." We met like brothers.
I read in his looks the smiling evidence of his love towards me:
and I felt the strongest wish to perpetuate his partiality.
Friendship was gay within my heart, and thenceforth all nature WITHOUT
put on her loveliest aspects. The island of sand no longer seemed
a dreary waste. Brighter rolled the blue waves of ocean beneath
the golden beam; and sweeter murmured the billows on their sandy beach.
My heart rejoiced with the playful fishes, as they leaped high
wantoning in the air, or, with sudden flounce, returned again,
wild darting through their lucid element. Our work went on in joy.
The palmetto trees were brought to us by the blacks, in large rafts,
of which we constructed, for our fort, an immense pen, two hundred feet long,
and sixteen feet wide, filled with sand to stop the shot.
For our platforms, we had two-inch oak planks, nailed down with iron spikes.
With glad hearts we then got up our carriages and mounted our guns,
of which twelve were 18 pounders -- twelve 24's, and twelve French 36's,
equal to English 42's.

A general joy was spread over the faces of our regiment,
as we looked along our battery of thunderers.

But our glorifying, under God, was chiefly in our two and forty pounders.
And indeed their appearance was terrible, where they lay
with wide Cerberean mouths, hideously gaping over the roaring waves,
and threatening destruction to the foes of liberty.

They were soon called to a trial of their metal. -- For on the 31st of May,
while we were all busily driving on with our fort, suddenly a cry was heard,
"a fleet! a fleet, ho!" Looking out to sea, we all at once beheld,
as it were, a wilderness of ships, hanging, like snow-white clouds
from the north-east sky. It was the sirs Parker and Clinton,
hastening on with nine ships of war and thirty transports,
bearing three thousand land forces, to attack Charleston.

Such an armament was an awful novelty, that produced on us all
a momentary flutter; but, thank God, no serious fear. On the contrary,
it was very visible in every glowing cheek and sparkling eye, as we looked,
LAUGHING, on one another, that we considered the approaching conflict
as a grand trial of courage, which we rather desired than dreaded.
And to their equal praise, our gallant countrymen in Charleston,
as we learned daily, by the boats, were all in fine spirits,
and constantly making their best preparations to receive the enemy.
And still my pen trembles in my hand; even after this long lapse of time,
it trembles with wonder and delight, to tell of that immortal fire,
which in those perilous days, glowed in the bosoms of the Charleston FAIR.
Instead of gloomy sadness and tears, for the dark cloud
that threatened their city, they wore the most enlivening looks --
constantly talked the boldest language of patriotism --
animated their husbands, brothers, and lovers to fight bravely --
and, for themselves, they vowed they would "never live the slaves of Britain."
Some people in our days, may not believe me, when I add of these
NOBLE ladies, that they actually begged leave of their commandant,
to let them "fight by the sides of their relatives and friends."
This, though a glorious request, was absolutely refused them.
For who could bear to see the sweet face of beauty roughened over
with the hard frowns of war; or, the warrior's musket, on those tender bosoms,
formed of heaven only to pillow up the cheeks of happy husbands,
and of smiling babes?

But though the SPIRITS of the ladies were willing, their NERVES were weak;
for when the British ships of war hove in sight, opposite to the town,
they all went down to the shore to view them. And then strong fear,
like the cold wind of autumn, struck their tender frames with trembling,
and bleached their rosy cheeks. Some, indeed, of the younger sort,
affected to laugh and boast; but the generality returned silent and pensive,
as from a funeral, hanging their lovely heads, like rows of sickly jonquils,
when the sun has forsaken the garden, and faded nature
mourns his departed beams. Sisters were often seen to turn pale and sigh,
when they looked on their youthful brothers, while tender mothers,
looking down on their infant cherubs at the breast, let drop
their pearly sorrows, and exclaimed, "happy the wombs that bear not,
and the paps that give no suck."

In consequence of a most extraordinary continuation of calms,
baffling winds, and neap tides, the enemy's ships never got within our bar
till the 27th of June, and on the following morn, the memorable 28th,
they weighed anchor on the young flood, and before a fine breeze,
with top gallant sails, royals, and sky scrapers all drawing,
came bearing up for the fort like floating mountains.

The anxious reader must not suppose that we were standing all this while,
with finger in mouth, idly gaping like children on a raree show.
No, by the Living! but, fast as they neared us, we still kept our thunders
close bearing upon them, like infernal pointers at a dead set;
and as soon as they were come within point blank shot, we clapped our matches
and gave them a tornado of round and double-headed bullets,
which made many a poor Englishman's head ache. Nor were they long
in our debt, but letting go their anchors and clewing up their sails,
which they did in a trice, they opened all their batteries,
and broke loose upon us with a roar as if heaven and earth
had been coming together.

Such a sudden burst of flame and thunder, could not but make us
feel very queer at first, especially as we were young hands,
and had never been engaged in such an awful scene before.
But a few rounds presently brought us all to rights again,
and then, with heads bound up, and stripped to the buff,
we plied our bull-dogs like heroes.

The British outnumbered us in men and guns, at least three to one,
but then our guns, some of them at least, were much the heaviest,
carrying balls of two and forty pounds weight! and when the monsters,
crammed to the throat with chained shot and infernal fire, let out,
it was with such hideous peals as made both earth and ocean tremble.
At one time it appeared as though, by a strange kind of accident,
all their broad-sides had struck us at once, which made the fort
tremble again. But our palmettoes stood the fire to a miracle,
closed up without sign of splinter, on their shot, which was stopped
by the intermediate sand; while, on the other hand, every bullet
that we fired, went through and through their ships, smashing alike
sailors, timber heads, and iron anchors, in their furious course.
And thus was the order of our battle -- there, a line of seven tall ships;
and here, one little, solitary fort -- there, British discipline;
and here, American enthusiasm -- there, brave men fighting for a tyrant;
and here, heroes contending for liberty. I am old now, and have forgotten
many things, but never shall I forget the heart-burnings of that day,
when I heard the blast of those rude cannon, that bade me be a slave;
and still my aged bosom swells with the big joy when I hear,
which I often do in fancy's ear, the answer of our faithful bull-dogs,
as with deafening roar, lurid flame and smoke, they hurled back
their iron curses on the wicked claim. But alas! for lack of ammunition,
our opening victory was soon nipped like a luckless flower, in the bud:
for the contest had hardly lasted an hour, before our powder was so expended
that we were obliged, in a great measure, to silence our guns,
which was matter of infinite mortification to us, both because of the grief
it gave our friends, and the high triumph it afforded our enemies.
"Powder! Powder! millions for powder!" was our constant cry.
Oh! had we but had plenty of that `noisy kill-seed', as the Scotchmen call it,
not one of those tall ships would ever have revisited Neptune's
green dominion. They must inevitably have struck, or laid their vast hulks
along-side the fort, as hurdles for the snail-loving `sheep's heads'.
Indeed, small as our stock of ammunition was, we made several of their ships
look like sieves, and smell like slaughter pens. The commodore's ship,
the Bristol, had fifty men killed, and upwards of one hundred wounded!

The laurels of the second regiment can never fade -- the destructive effect
of their fire gave glorious proof, that they loaded and levelled their pieces
like men who wished every shot to tell. They all fought like veterans;
but the behavior of some was gallant beyond compare; and the humble names
of Jasper and M'Donald shall be remembered, when those of proud kings
shall be forgotten.

A ball from the enemy's ships carried away our flag-staff.
Scarcely had the stars of liberty touched the sand,
before Jasper flew and snatched them up and kissed them with great enthusiasm.
Then having fixed them to the point of his spontoon,
he leaped up on the breast-work amidst the storm and fury of the battle,
and restored them to their daring station -- waving his hat at the same time
and huzzaing, "God save liberty and my country for ever!"

As to sergeant M'Donald, while fighting like a hero, at his gun,
a cannon ball came in at the port hole, and mangled him miserably.
As he was borne off, he lifted his dying eyes, and said to his comrades,
"Huzza, my brave fellows, I die, but don't let the cause of liberty
die with me."

The effect of our last gun, and which happened to be fired by Marion,
is too remarkable to be lost. It was his lot that day to command
the left wing of the fort, where many of our heaviest cannon were planted.
As from lack of powder, we were obliged to fire very slow,
Marion would often level the guns himself. And now comes my story. --
Just after sunset the enemy's ships ceased firing, and slipping their cables,
began to move off. Pleased with the event, an officer on
the quarter deck of the Bristol man-of-war, called out to his comrade,
"Well, d--n my eyes, Frank, the play is over! so let's go below and hob nob
to a glass of wine, for I am devilish dry!"

"With all my heart, Jack;" replied the other; so down they whipped
into the cabin, where the wine and glasses had been standing all day
on the table. At that moment, one of our two and forty pounders
being just loaded, Marion called to colonel Moultrie, and asked him
if it would not be well enough to give them the last blow.
"Yes," replied Moultrie, "give them the parting kick."

Marion clapped the match, and away, in thunder and lightning went the ball,
which, entering the cabin windows, shattered the two young friends:
thence raging through the bulk-heads and steerage, it shivered three sailors
on the main deck, and, after all, bursting through the forecastle
into the sea, sunk with sullen joy to the bottom.

We got this story from five British seamen, who ran off
with the Bristol's long boat, and came and joined us that very night.

The next day, that noble whig, Mr. William Logan, sent us
a couple of fat beeves and a hogshead of rum, "to refresh us,"
as he was pleased to say, "after our hard day's work."
And on the second day after the action, the governor and council,
with numbers of the great ladies and gentlemen of Charleston,
came over to the fort to visit us. We all put on our "best bibs and tuckers,"
and paraded at the water's edge to receive them, which we did
with a spanking `feu de joie'*, and were not a little gratified
with their attentions and handsome compliments paid us,
for what they politely termed "our gallant defence of our country."

--
* Bonfire. -- A. L., 1997.
--

And indeed to see the looks of our poor soldiers, when those great ladies,
all glittering in silks and jewels, and powdered and perfumed so nice,
would come up to them, with faces like angels, sparkling and smiling so sweet,
as if they would kiss them; I say, to see the looks of our poor fellows,
their awkward bows and broad grins, and other droll capers they cut,
no human being could have refrained from laughing.

Presently that excellent lady, Mrs. Colonel Elliot (of the artillery,)
came forward and presented us with a most superb pair of colors,
embroidered with gold and silver by her own lily-white hands.

They were delivered, if I mistake not, to the brave sergeant Jasper,
who smiled when he took them, and vowed he "would never give them up
but with his life."

Poor fellow! he too soon made good his promise, near the fatal
walls of Savannah.

But it was not the ladies alone that were attentive to us,
for that great man, governor Rutledge, in presence of the regiment,
took the sword from his side, and with his own noble hand presented it
to sergeant Jasper. He also offered him a commission on the spot;
but this, Jasper absolutely refused. "I am greatly obliged to you, governor,"
said he, "but I had rather not have a commission. As I am,
I pass very well with such company as a poor sergeant has any right to keep.
If I were to get a commission, I should be forced to keep higher company:
and then, as I don't know how to read, I should only be throwing myself
in a way to be laughed at!" Parents, who can waste on grog and tobacco,
that precious money you ought to educate your children with, think of this!




Chapter 5.

Governor Rutledge harangues the Troops -- shows Britain's injustice
to have been the cause of the American war -- independence declared --
great joy on that account.



On the 20th of September, 1776, all the troops in Charleston were ordered
to rendezvous without the gates of the city, to hear, as we were told,
"Some great news." Soon as we were paraded, governor Rutledge
ascended a stage, and in the forcible manner of a Demosthenes,
informed, that Congress had dissolved all relation with England,
by an open Declaration of Independence.

"You are, no doubt, gentlemen," said he, "surprised, and perhaps shocked
at this intelligence. But however painful this measure may be
to our feelings, it is absolutely necessary to our safety.

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