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

by George Bird Grinnell

  CHAPTER X.

  GEORGETOWN.

  The information which Colonel Richardson brought regarding the renegadewho had acquainted Tarleton with General Marion's whereabouts, firedus four comrades to such a degree that right willingly would we havepushed forward alone in the hope of taking him prisoner, even whilesurrounded by his British friends.

  As has already been set down, we gave Sam Lee credit for doingwhatsoever was in his power against us, but, while it was no surprisethat he should have continued making every effort to work harm tothe friends of freedom, there was mingled with our righteous angersomething of astonishment at his success.

  He might have lived twice the ordinary lifetime of a man without beingable to do as much mischief as in this case, when our people weremaking ready to fall suddenly upon Tarleton's forces.

  Now, however, that was impossible. Even Major James realized that,instead of pushing on, we must beat a retreat once more, and withoutloss of time.

  From this moment until that sad hour when Gavin, Percy and myself, tosay nothing of the general, were so sorely afflicted, there is nothingof particular moment to write, except that I set down the differentmovements made by our brigade, and the situation of affairs in theCarolinas.

  In less than twenty minutes from the time Colonel Richardson came intothe encampment, were we urging our jaded steeds through that gloomyswamp known as the "wood-yard," and two hours later the command washalted on Jack's Creek.

  We had covered only six miles in all that time, owing to the conditionof the horses; but it was sufficient, so far as eluding the Britisherswas concerned, because they might not find us unless, perchance, morespies were lurking around, until after the day should break.

  While Colonel Tarleton was a butcher--a man who had no idea of mercyor compassion, it is only just to give him the credit of being a goodsoldier after his own particular fashion.

  As a man to lead rough-riders, he was perhaps the best in the king'sservice, and we who were fleeing before him understood that nota single moment would be lost in the pursuit. Ride as fast and asconstantly as we might, his men would be ever on our heels, so longas they could hold the pace, and it was endurance and the speed of thehorses which should give the final result.

  At daybreak our brigade was on the march once more, making its way overbogs and through swamps until it was arrived at Benbow's Ferry, aboutten miles above Kingstree, where was a strong natural camp.

  It was a place with which we were all familiar. It commanded a passageof the river, and was within easy riding distance of all the countryroundabout from which we must draw provisions and provender. As arallying point it could not have been equalled in the Carolinas, andshould we be hard pressed there were three difficult passes through theswamp in the rear where, if necessary, we might make a stubborn fight.

  Strong as was this position, General Marion set about strengthening ityet further.

  Trees were felled, breastworks put up, and in eight and forty hourswe were prepared to meet Tarleton's much-vaunted legion, reasoningthat our defenses made up for lack of numbers until we were fully theenemy's equal.

  Now we believed that a decisive battle would soon be fought--one inwhich the victory could not be doubtful, but where the conquerorsmight for a certain length of time hold undisputed possession of theWilliamsburg district, and we counted on being those conquerors.

  It was not destined, however, that the struggle in the Carolinas shouldbe brought to so speedy a conclusion.

  Tarleton pursued our brigade, losing time here and there to burndwellings which sheltered only women and children, until he was cometo within less than twelve miles of our camp, when, to the surprise ofenemies as well as friends, he turned suddenly about and marched withall speed for Camden.

  It was afterward said by the Tories that Lord Cornwallis had expresslyordered him to return; but more than one of us believed then, and yethold to it, that the redcoated Britisher who could be so courageouswhen he had none but old men, boys and women in front of him, wasabsolutely afraid to measure strength with General Marion.

  Now while we laid here in safety, gathering numbers every day, much wasdone by our friends in other parts of the colony.

  General Sumter, our kinsman, gave battle to Tarleton at the Blackstockfarm on the banks of the Tyger, defeating him utterly, but at aterrific loss, so far as the Cause was concerned. The Britishers hadninety-two killed and one hundred and four wounded. Among the Americansonly three were slain and four wounded; but in the latter list was thegeneral himself, who bore as marks of the victory a severely dangerouswound in the breast.

  His gallant followers, true to him as was our brigade to GeneralMarion, lashed him in the raw hide of a bullock which was slung asa litter between two horses, and thus, guarded by an hundred pickedmen, he was carried to the upper colony, so we were told, where he layhovering 'twixt life and death.

  It was also while we were encamped here that the battle of King'sMountain was fought, when the British, under Major Ferguson, weredefeated handsomely, the killed, wounded and captured of the enemyamounting to eleven hundred men, and among the dead was the majorhimself.

  Two exceedingly fortunate encounters for us--encounters such asguaranteed to us final victory if we could but hold out as we hadbegun, and this seemed most probable, for, as ever will be the case, asuccessful commander finds plenty of recruits.

  We of Williamsburg were not inactive during the days spent in camp; butmade forays here and there, capturing in some places bands of Torieson their way to Georgetown, or, having the good fortune to come acrossdetachments of the redcoats who were guarding store-trains, until,should I attempt to repeat all the little adventures which befell us,I might continue this writing until so many pages were filled that onewould shrink from the reading because of the magnitude of the task.

  It is with the more adventurous, but yet the sadder part of our serviceunder General Marion that I must close this record which has beenintended only to show what we comrades did, up to the time Snow'sIsland was fortified, when we ceased active operations during the year.

  The British post at Georgetown was the one place which our people mostneeded as a base of operations against Charleston, and, in fact, tohold our own in Williamsburg district.

  Situated as it was, we were constantly menaced, wherever our brigademight be, by the enemy holding possession of the place. In addition tothat, it was a depot for supplies of salt, clothing and ammunition forthe king's troops, and of such goods, we who fought for the Cause weregrievously in need.

  To capture Georgetown would be an exploit such as might advantage ourpeople more than had the victory at King's Mountain, therefore it wasto this end that our general proposed to bend all his energies, and inthe proposition he was seconded ably by such followers as Major Jamesand Colonel Richardson, the last-named gentleman having remained withus since the day his home was destroyed.

  It was believed that the enemy lay at Georgetown in great force,perhaps to the number of four thousand men, and we knew full well thenature of the fortifications round about the post.

  A direct assault would have been fatal to us. It was only by suchmethods as had won for our general the name of "Swamp Fox," thatwe could succeed, and, as can well be fancied, none of our peoplewere averse to an attempt under those circumstances, for we believedourselves, so far as backwoods strategy was concerned, far superior toany of the king's forces.

  The first we of the rank and file knew, regarding the method by whichit was hoped we might succeed, was when we broke camp, carrying withus all our equipage and so much of provisions as could be gathered fromthe country round about, and crossed Black River to a little settlementknown as Potato Ferry, advancing toward Georgetown by that road calledthe "Gap Way."

  Now this much by way of explanation for the benefit of those who arenot acquainted with the vicinity of that post.

  Three miles from Georgetown is an inland swamp known as White's Bay,which, discharging itself by two mouths, the one into Black R
iver andthe other into Sampit, completely cuts off the post, which stands onthe north side of the last-named river near its junction with WinyawBay. Over the creek which empties into Sampit there is a bridge, twomiles from the town.

  Now it was in the rear of this swamp that we finally came to a halt,having, as was believed, arrived there without knowledge of the enemy.

  Gavin Witherspoon claimed that he understood all which the generalproposed to do, but that statement I question seriously, otherwisewould we have heard from the old man concerning several moves thatwould have been more than injudicious if General Marion had the sameidea in mind Gavin gave him credit for.

  Let it be understood that we were come to this point, not more thanthree miles from the post, five hundred and fifty strong, each onemounted and carrying so much of provisions and provender as wouldsuffice for eight and forty hours' consumption.

  Up to the moment of our halting we had seen no persons save thosewhom we knew beyond a peradventure to be devoted to the Cause, and,therefore, could say to a certainty that we were thus far advancedtoward the object of our desires in such fashion as the Swamp Fox mostdesired.

  Unless some false move was made, some prying, unfriendly eye discoveredus, we would be able to ride down upon Georgetown as we had ridden intomany a British camp before, doing more through fear than bullets, andgaining victory where by rights none should have been enjoyed.

  Well, we were halted here, and all had dismounted, each man feeding hishorse in anticipation of the work to come when the speed of the animalswould avail as much, perhaps even more than the accuracy of our aim.

  Then it was, after a consultation with the general, my uncle advancedwhere all, save that line of sentinels which hemmed us in to keepprying eyes at a respectful distance, might see him, and Gabriel Marionsaid to me gleefully:

  "Now has come the time, lad, when we will be able to ride into thisadventure side by side, and carve out for ourselves such names as shalllive in the grateful memory of men after these colonies are free."

  And the dear lad did carve out a name for himself!

  "I call for volunteers who will present themselves for dangerousservice," my uncle began, and every man pricked up his ears, eacheager to be among those who might distinguish themselves. "Two squadsof twenty each, and so many as are minded to sacrifice their lives,perchance, for the benefit of the brigade, may step forward two paces."

  Gavin, Percy, Gabriel and I advanced without loss of time, and theblood fairly leaped in my veins when I saw that of all the brigadeevery man had made the same movement.

  In General Marion's force each was equally eager to lay down his lifefor the others, and it was that spirit which finally gained for us theindependence of the American colonies.

  "I had expected some such outburst of patriotism; but failed by aconsiderable degree to anticipate the reality," my uncle, the major,said with a smile of satisfaction. "You be brave lads all, as has beenproven many and many a time before, and therefore each and every one isentitled to the honor of making his life the sacrifice for the others;but, unfortunately for your desires, only forty men may be chosen. Letthose who are willing to relinquish the desire to show their love forcountry in order that others who, perhaps, can better be spared maymake any sacrifice, retreat two paces."

  Not a man moved; every trooper of the Williamsburg brigade stood firmin place, as if determined that he, and he alone, should be the one whowould give up his life for the other, and among them all were we fourcomrades, tried and true--comrades who were destined to ride on untilwe saw one of our number fall, foully murdered, without being able toraise a hand in his defense.

  Now it was that General Marion advanced to the side of my uncle, hiseyes all aflame, and more enthusiasm showing in that quiet face than Ihad ever believed could find a place there.

  "Gentlemen of the Williamsburg brigade, I thank you from the bottom ofmy heart. Many a time before have you proven yourselves heroes; butnever so truly, never so emphatically as at this moment--when everyman of you is eager to offer up his life, and in that for which thevolunteers are called I do assure you there are eight chances out often that no one comes back alive. Now I entreat that so many of you asare fathers of families shall step back, allowing younger soldiers totake your places."

  Yet every man remained in his place, and it seemed much as thoughwe might come at loggerheads, one with the other, as to who shoulddie first, for all knew that this attack upon the well-fortified,over-garrisoned post of Georgetown was no child's play, no feint atwarfare; but a desperate undertaking which to succeed must be carriedon with total disregard of life.

  "Now has come the time when I myself must make the selection," themajor, my uncle, said with a look on his face which told how greatlythis exhibition pleased him. "I shall call out one man, and the generalmay select another, each making his choice until the forty have beenchosen. Let it be remembered that in this case I exercise the rightto use favoritism, for there be among you lads of my own blood whomI am minded shall go forth in preference to those who have familiesdependent upon them. Therefore, men, do not blame me when I claim whatI _may_ claim, even disregarding the privilege of others."

  Then it was, and proud am I to write it, that he cried out:

  "Robert Sumter!"

  I stepped forward, my face flushed with pardonable pride, and in histurn the general cried:

  "Gabriel Marion!"

  "Percy Sumter!" my uncle next called, and the general added:

  "Gavin Witherspoon!"

  Thus were we four comrades the first to be selected for this post ofhonor which will be remembered, as I fondly believe, long after we aregone from this world, and in all the Carolinas were no four individualsmore puffed up with pride and pleasure than we.

  Around us everywhere were envious eyes, as if life had suddenly lostall its charm, and death were the one thing most desired.

  Man after man was thus summoned to take his place in the ranks of thedevoted, until we had the full number two paces in advance of all therest, and then it was my uncle said, moving up and down the line asif it pleasured him to look on those who were selected for the mostperilous venture:

  "Gentlemen, it may be that after another hour has passed we shall notmeet again on this earth. Therefore I pray you, those who have anyrequest to make, speak now, that we may remember in the days to comethat all you desired was granted."

  No man spoke for so long a time as would have taken me to counttwenty, and then Gabriel Marion, dear lad that he was, raised his capcourteously, as he bowed and said:

  "Major James, if it so be the request we make now be granted, I prayyour pardon when I ask a selfish one, which is that us four who havebeen comrades since I joined the brigade--us four who have eaten andslept together, may not be separated when you shall divide this squadinto two. That we may be allowed to go on side by side, as we have fromthe day I first knew these lads and Gavin Witherspoon."

  "It shall be as you say," my uncle replied, and then turning, looked atthe others.

  Emboldened by Gabriel's speech, one man requested that should he failto return, evidence might be sent his kinsmen that he was proud atbeing able to thus serve the colonies.

  Another made a similar request, and so on until perhaps half a dozenhad spoken, when all fell silent.

  There was no more to be said. It only remained that we march forth tolay down our lives, or to win them, as the case might be.

  As for myself, I believed we who were chosen would probably perish inwhatsoever of adventure was before us, for I thought then, much as didGavin Witherspoon, that we were to make an attack upon two portionsof the town, while the remainder of the brigade, after we were slain,would come in a different direction, and, taking advantage of thediversion caused by our attack, win the day.

  It would be a glorious ending of one's life; yet as I reflected uponit, although not in the least degree wishing I might have been amongthis third party rather than in the lead, I said to myself that itwould be sweet to live until
we had thrown off the king's yoke, forat this moment when we stood face to face with death, almost feelingthe great white angel's cold hand upon us, I was as certain we wouldfinally win the victory, however many hirelings his majesty might sendupon us, as I was certain that my life might within a very few momentsbe the penalty of the pride which was within me.

  Perchance never in the history of the Carolinas has there at anyone time so much of true bravery been shown as we saw then when theonly discontent was because one was more favored than another in thepermission to offer his life as a sacrifice.

  Well, we were not kept long in line after such arrangements had beenmade as I have described.

  Before being dismissed, however, those who were to be left behind wouldhave raised a cheer, but that Captain Horry prevented any such outburstlest scouting parties of the enemy might be near, and then the finalpreparations were made without loss of time for the work in hand.

  Captain Melton was named as the gentleman who should lead our squad,and Captain Horry given command of the other.

  So far as his purpose was concerned, General Marion did not leave us indoubt, claiming, as he said, that we had the right to know exactly whathe proposed doing so we might act the more intelligently.

  Our squad was to approach the town near White's Bridge, and the otherwould reconnoiter on the opposite side of the post; but neither was toreturn, save in case of some serious disaster, until the main attackhad been made.

  It was not exactly as Gavin Witherspoon had predicted, because we weregiven no orders to assault the enemy independently; but were to make adetour, each squad half around the post, and in case of any importantdiscovery to send word back immediately to the general.

  At the dawn of the following day the brigade was to advance, and at thefirst alarm, wherever we of the chosen ones might be, we would join theassaulting party in such manner as our commanders thought proper.

  All this, as I have said, was told by General Marion himself, andnothing could have given us greater confidence in the adventure thanthat he should see fit to explain his plans when another commandermight have remained silent.

  There were no leave-takings; no delay.

  Such work as ours was to be done on the instant, and Captain Melton,advancing at the head of our squad, for by this time we had been toldoff in two parties of twenty, said quietly:

  "We will move on foot in such formation as may be most agreeable. AsI understand it, our work is rather in the nature of spying than of amilitary movement, and my only order is that you allow me to lead."

  Captain Horry was already leaving the encampment when we set off,following our commander much as a party of pleasure seekers mighttroop after him who had promised to show them some desirable place ofentertainment, and as we threaded our way through the swamp GabrielMarion, linking his arm in mine, said cheerily, with never a tremor inhis voice to show that the doom of the future lay upon his heart:

  "We four are in rare luck, Robert Sumter. I did not believe my unclewould grant me so great a boon as to call my name, and when yours wasspoken by Major James the tears almost came into my eyes, fearing lestyou should go while I remained behind."