With the Swamp Fox: A Story of General Marion's Young Spies

by George Bird Grinnell

  CHAPTER VII.

  THE RETREAT.

  We of Williamsburg were most certainly in a peculiar position, afterhaving released one hundred and fifty prisoners and discovered thatonly three had sufficient faith in the Cause, or were sufficientlyeager for death, to join us.

  Now right here let me set down that the men under General Marion weretrue patriots, gentlemen of the Williamsburg district, and in everysense of the word, worthy citizens. This I say because the Britishpeople even at this late day, five years since peace was declared andwe have become a free and independent people, say that "that officerwho caused Tarleton so much annoyance had as a following only thedissolute and depraved."

  I repeat, the force under General Marion was made up of gentlemen, thegreater number of whom owned plantations in or near the Williamsburgdistrict, and the fact that they had for a leader such a man as myuncle, Major James, is sufficient proof as to their character.

  Although these men were by this time come to believe that the Cause forwhich they had struggled so long was much the same as lost, so far aswe in the southern colonies were concerned, yet they were not of theclass that acknowledges itself beaten while life remains.

  Therefore it was, that instead of being yet further disheartened bythis failure which followed a brilliant victory, they were the moredetermined to strike every possible blow before the end should come.

  The cruel and barbarous proclamation of Lord Clinton aroused theiranger rather than fear, and within half an hour after it had beencirculated among us, I heard my uncle, the major, say that no documentcould have been put in a style better calculated to drive recruitsinto our ranks than that which was written evidently for the purpose offrightening the colony into submission.

  There is, perhaps, a good word to be spoken for those men, who, havingbeen released from captivity by us, were willing to serve under GeneralMarion.

  They had been whipped at the very moment victory seemed certain, and itis little wonder that the faint-hearted should have begun to despair,when, after four years of desperate struggling, the "rebellion" waswell-nigh crushed out.

  At the moment, we of Williamsburg could have no sympathy for suchcowards, as we called them, and had any of the men begged us for foodI question if we would have supplied their wants, so angered were we bythe refusal to enlist.

  It was evident to every man among us that it was not safe to remainon this road over which the British soldiers were continually passing,and particularly since those whom we had defeated would speedily giveinformation to all the king's officers in the colony.

  From this hour our little brigade would be hunted down without mercy,and there could be no question but that the chase would be a lively onesince the Britishers in this section had no other "rebels" with whom tooccupy their attention.

  Therefore it was that every man in the command felt a certain sense ofrelief, when, after a halt of no more than four hours, word was givento remount the tired horses.

  We rode four hours or more, and then were come to the forest roundabout Hope Mountain, when the word was given that we would have anopportunity to indulge in a long rest.

  During this march it can well be imagined that Gavin Witherspoon, Percyand myself kept a sharp lookout for Sam Lee. The greatest desire inmy heart at that moment was to make a prisoner of the young Tory, forhe, knowing well every man in the brigade, would be able to give theBritishers many valuable hints regarding our probable whereabouts, andso long as he remained at liberty we had a dangerous enemy afoot, eventhough that enemy was a coward.

  Every man, including officers, brought away with him from this lastencounter a goodly store of provisions, and there was no fear ofsuffering from lack of food, even though we remained a week in thisencampment at the foot of the mountain.

  The days were passed in perfect idleness, save so far as the groomingof our horses was concerned, and, although not a trooper left the camp,we were kept well informed regarding the movements of the enemy, bysuch of the people round about as were friendly to the Cause.

  Therefore it was that we heard sad news from Camden when the humaneand chivalrous Lord Cornwallis hanged eight old men and seven boys,prisoners whom he had taken after the battle, simply because therewas a suspicion that they might have been concerned in the so-calledrebellion.

  Nor was this wholesale murder the only crime committed by theconquerors in the Carolinas during the week we remained idle.

  From every quarter came stories of barbarity and excesses committed byBritish officers, and that which seemed like a great misfortune soonproved, despite the horror, to be a blessing in disguise, for it droveinto our ranks every man from the surrounding country who had ever beencharged, whether rightfully or no, with taking any part whatsoever inthe resistance to the king's oppressions.

  Within six days there were enrolled among the followers of GeneralMarion no less than seven hundred and fifty good men and true; but itis not to be supposed that such number remained in camp.

  In fact, although the brigade was being strengthened daily, theforce under arms was decreasing, and for two good reasons: First,because such a body could not readily be supplied with provisions,and secondly, because the majority of these troopers were men offamilies, who, during this season of inactivity, took advantage of theopportunity to provide for the wants of those at home.

  No more than one hundred and fifty remained in the camp at HopeMountain; but the others stood ready to respond to the first summonsthat their service was needed.

  It was late in the evening of the eighth day, when one on whosefidelity to the Cause we could rely, came into camp with theinformation that Tarleton's Legion and a strong force under MajorWemyss, had been sent by Lord Cornwallis against us.

  Although his lordship had affected to despise General Marion, hecertainly acted as if he believed our commander a gallant officer,otherwise why were the 63d Regulars and the Legion of Tarleton sentagainst what the Britishers had contemptuously termed "that beggarlycrew."

  Before morning other friends came into camp, and we knew that the twoforces were not as yet united; but Major Wemyss with the 63d Regulars,and a large body of Tories under Major Harrison, were advancing rapidlytoward Hope Mountain, information of our whereabouts having been given,perhaps, by that young scoundrel, Sam Lee, who I doubted not was doinghis best to work us harm.

  Although there was much in this information to dishearten, I believeevery member of our small band felt a certain sense of satisfactionthat the time for action was near at hand. None of us had doubted butthat we should be employed against the enemy in some manner, despitethe great difference in numbers.

  Gavin Witherspoon, Percy and I were so fortunate as to be among thefifty selected to reconnoiter, and when we saddled our horses, whichwere in prime condition after their long halt, there was a certainsense of exultation in our hearts, even though it seemed absolutelycertain we could effect nothing so far as the welfare of the Cause wasconcerned.

  It is not my purpose to write at any length regarding the adventurewhich befell us, for among the many deeds of daring which the followersof General Marion were given liberty to perform, this incident wouldseem to one who did not take part in it, as something too trifling tobe worthy of mention.

  Therefore will I tell it hurriedly, and in the fewest words, in orderthe sooner to come to that time of sorrow and humiliation when we beganthe retreat from the lower Carolinas.

  We, fifty picked men, and I speak of Percy and myself as suchalthough we were only boys, set out near to noon on the reconnoiter,understanding that the remainder of the force led by General Marionwould follow fifteen or twenty miles in the rear in order to be ready,if opportunity presented itself, to fall upon the detached bands ofMajor Wemyss' command.

  It was known, however, that the general would halt at the old Sinclairplantation, if it so chanced that the venture should lead us thus far.

  Until nightfall we rode straight on, and then we were met by those whotold us that the advance guard of the enemy
was near at hand.

  The command was immediately given for each man to conceal himself inthe thicket either side the road, where a view could be had of theenemy as they passed, and in such position we were to remain until thelast straggler was beyond us, after which the major proposed that, bymaking a wide detour, we could reach the Sinclair plantation in ampletime to give an alarm, should it be learned that the attack was notadvisable.

  Although we were in hiding, and there was little reason for whosoevermight lead this force to believe any of Marion's men were inthe vicinity, the position we had taken was a dangerous one, forperadventure one of our horses was allowed to whinny, the Britisherswould attack immediately, when fifty against a thousand would standsmall chance of escape.

  It was nightfall before the first of the red-coated column appeared,and Percy and I, standing side by side, gripping our horses' muzzles,saw the formidable 63d Regulars as they came up with swingingstride even more than a thousand strong, and marched by our place ofconcealment with never a thought that the very prey for whom they wereseeking might be near at hand.

  My heart literally stood still for the time being, because even a ladunused to warfare knew beyond a question that should these men learnwhere we were hidden the end would come speedily.

  I hardly dared to breathe, lest by so doing an alarm be given, and yetalthough fifty horses were concealed either side the road, not a soundwas heard to betoken their whereabouts.

  The regiment marched by; then came the Tory command under MajorHarrison, which I believe was even more in numbers than Major Wemyss'men, and after them, more than a thousand yards in the rear, twentyTory stragglers.

  The major, my uncle, was stationed on the opposite side of the roadfrom where Percy and I stood, and we had no knowledge whatsoever of hismovements.

  When these rascally traitors to their country lounged along, evidentlybelieving themselves safe because of the large force in advance, thethought came into my mind that it would be a proper ending to ourreconnoissance if we set upon them suddenly.

  This idea had no more than come into my mind when we heard a crashingnoise from the opposite side of the road, and immediately the majorappeared, followed by all who had remained with him, and we needed noother signal.

  In a twinkling, as it were, the Tory stragglers were surrounded, andperhaps no more than sixty seconds elapsed before each man of them hadbeen disarmed and was mounted behind one of our troop.

  Then it can readily be understood that we put spurs to our horses,striking through the wooded country to the left in order to circlearound the main body of the enemy, and the frightened prisoners hadan opportunity of knowing that we raised good stock in Williamsburgdistrict, for in less than an hour we were come to the Sinclairplantation.

  The information for which we had sent was gained, and, in addition, wehad twenty disconsolate-looking prisoners, who by this time had cometo know that the Cause of freedom in the Carolinas was not yet whollycrushed out.

  The renegades were herded into a stable, and, to the surprise of usall, no order was given to dismount.

  That portion of the force which had been left behind with GeneralMarion was in the saddle when we came up, and there they remained, asdid we, while our officers, withdrawing to a clump of live oaks nearat hand, entered into what proved to be a long, and certainly was aserious, consultation.

  We knew full well that our future movements were being decided upon,and although there were more than two thousand armed men in theimmediate vicinity searching for us, who would soon be joined byTarleton's Legion, I believe there was not one of our brigade who didnot hope most certainly that we would be pitted against them, desperatethough the odds were.

  Not until an hour before sunrise was the consultation come to an end,and then came the long expected order to advance.

  "Ay; but in what direction?" Gavin Witherspoon, who was by my side,asked in a low tone, and the answer came later, when General Marionsaid:

  "My men, it is the opinion of all in command that we return to Lynch'sCreek, and I ask you to have confidence in us who have arrived at thisdecision, which is as painful to those who made it as to those whohear it. Nothing can be accomplished by staying here where capture ordeath must inevitably result; but so long as we remain at liberty, solong will the Cause live, and I promise you that however unpleasantand apparently disastrous may seem this move, you shall yet havemany opportunities of striking at the British uniform. I ask that youfollow, as you have done since I came among you, cheerfully and withoutquestion, believing that this step has not been decided upon withoutdue deliberation."

  "We are on the retreat," Gavin Witherspoon said to me as the generalceased speaking, and the words were no more than uttered before a groanwas heard throughout the entire line.

  I here set it down, repeating the words that these brave fellows, onlyan hundred and fifty strong, could not repress their sorrow because atthis moment, when we were threatened by over two thousand armed men,one-half of them well-trained troops, the word had been given to fallback.

  It is proof of the spirit of patriotism which animated the hearts ofthose in Williamsburg district, that they were saddened only becauseof not being brought immediately face to face with an enemy which couldconquer them by sheer force of numbers.

  If the cause of liberty was crushed out elsewhere, it yet lived andburned with an ardent flame in the hearts of those who had pledgedthemselves to follow General Marion, and among these patriots PercySumter and myself had the good fortune to be numbered.

  Well, we set out on what can be called none other than a retreat, foronce we left the enemy behind us there was no other name for the move.The old camp at Lynch's Creek was the direct road to North Carolina,and the king's forces were hunting for us in Williamsburg district.

  Now let it be fully understood what all that meant, and then in yearsto come no man may wonder why we whose homes were hereabout had sadnessin our hearts.

  For the first time since we had risen in our might against the king'soppression, were the people of Williamsburg and of Pedee to be leftunprotected. Until this moment the enemy had never appeared in ourneighborhood with such a force as enabled them to over-run it withoutfear of opposition.

  Once we were gone our people must suffer the tender mercies of theBritishers and the Tories who had in other parts of the Carolinas,wherever they penetrated, written their names in blood and in flame.

  Heretofore the James family, standing at the head of those who servedthe Cause, had kept this section of the Carolina colonies free fromthe invader. Now they were to leave it--to abandon it--while there wereyet two thousand enemies in the district with more to come, and knowingfull well that should they ever return again it would be to find theirhouses smoking ruins, their wives and children homeless and wandering.It was to leave behind all that was dear, and all that was sacred inorder that the flame of freedom might, although burning feebly, yet beunquenched.

  Even if Percy and I were yet lads, we were full grown in the knowledgeof what had been and what would come, therefore, but in a lesserdegree, of course, were we bowed down by sorrow as, setting our facesin that direction which would lead us away from home, we allowed thesteeds to make their way at such pace as pleased them.

  No man set spur on that ride; no man urged his horse forward, for itwas as if we were held back by chains, and little wonder.

  At the time this seemed to us to be a shameful march; but now I canlook back upon it and realize how necessary it was--can understandthat He who rules the destinies of nations had willed that, like thechildren of Israel, we should wander through the desert a certain timebefore we were come to the Promised Land.

  Now having set down all that was in our hearts at this time, let mehurry over such portion of the story, for it is not pleasant to dwellupon it.

  We arrived at Lynch's Creek that evening, and here we were halted onlyso long as was necessary to make the arrangements already decided uponbetween our leaders.

  Those who had families wer
e requested, when we had come into the oldcamp, to leave the brigade and return home, there to remain until suchtime as they might be again summoned.

  This was done in order that we might move more secretly, and also thatthose who were needed at home should be enabled to give to their lovedones at least the last words which might be spoken on earth.

  Within an hour our force was reduced to sixty men, and yet thereremained among us every member of the James family--a fact which wentfar toward cheering Percy and I in this retreat.

  Five were there, John, William, Gavin, Robert and James, and eachhad a family; yet none would desert the leader in whom they had everyconfidence--none would desert the Cause, although it was come so low.Yet for the honor of those who dropped out, it must be said that theywere ready at the first signal to rejoin the brigade.

  Gavin Witherspoon had a wife and five children, the youngest eightyears old. To him I said, when, man after man, raising his hat inadieu, departed with an expression on his face which told of thesadness in his heart:

  "It is for you to go also, Gavin. Such as Percy and I can well bespared, even though we leave behind a mother whom we love; but she haskinsfolk who will comfort her."

  "My family are alone in the district, Robert Sumter, and yet they willbe comforted, knowing that I am doing my duty as a man."

  "Yet every one should care for his own, and you can well be spared whenthis movement is no more than a retreat."

  "Ay, so I may be," the old man replied emphatically, and in such atone as caused me to grip him heartily by the hand. "So I may be,and yet it would shame me to go, because now has come the hour of ouradversity--the time when all hope seems to have fled; but my desireto free the colonies from the yoke of the king is as strong as when Ifirst set out, nigh on to four years ago. I shall remain in the saddle,Robert Sumter, until we have won that toward which we set our faces, ora British bullet has brought me low, and in the doing find happinessfor myself as well as give comfort to those who look upon me for anexample."

  It was a brave man who spoke those words, and I said then in my heartthat never again would I allow another to utter aught against GavinWitherspoon--never again would I allow Percy or myself to laugh at hisoddities or his whimsical fancies.

  Freshly mounted were we who left Lynch's Creek at sunset on the daywhen we were arrived at the old camp, after those who went insistedon bringing to us their best horses and the major part of all theirstore of ammunition, because, in so doing, it seemed as if they werecontributing in some slight degree to sustaining the Cause which theyhad long since despaired of seeing successful.

  Dark days indeed were these which had come upon us; but they wereneeded, as was afterwards proven, to strengthen our hearts for thefuture trial, which led us on to victory when defeat was seeminglyalready upon us.

  From the hour of leaving Lynch's Creek until we were arrived inNorth Carolina, at Amy's Mill on Downing Creek, we never drew rein,save to halt that the tired steeds might find rest, and at this lastencampment, we remained four and twenty hours.

  From there a detachment of ten was sent back as scouts to gainintelligence of what might be going on in the lower Carolinas, and tocheer those of our number who had been left behind, in order that thefire of patriotism might be kept burning.

  Then once more we took up the line of retreat, holding it until we werecome to the east side of White Marsh, near the head of the WaccamawRiver, where my uncle, the major, told us three comrades that apermanent camp would be established.