Marion renews his Pursuit of Doyle--Confronts Watson--Is
joined by Col. Lee--Invests and takes Fort Watson--Fort
Motte taken--Anecdote of Horry and Marion.
Marion instantly put his men in motion in pursuit of Doyle. In crossing
the swamp of Lynch's Creek, during the night, several of the soldiers
lost their arms, in consequence of the freshet. The swamp was inundated,
and it required all their dexterity and promptitude to save themselves.
Snatching a hasty breakfast, the pursuit was continued all day, and
resumed the next morning until ten o'clock, when they found such
signs of the superior speed and haste of the enemy, as to preclude all
possibility of overtaking him. They had been necessarily delayed by
the passage of the swamp, and had not made sufficient allowance for the
speed with which an enemy might run when there was occasion for it. Here
they found that Doyle had destroyed all his heavy baggage, and had sped
in such confusion towards Camden, that his encampment, and the road
which he traversed, were strewn with canteens and knapsacks, and
everything, not necessary to defence, which might retard his progress.
Marion, somewhat surprised at a flight for which he could not then
account, for his own force was far inferior to that of Doyle, yet
saw that the fugitive was beyond present pursuit. He wheeled about,
accordingly, and set his men in motion for another meeting with Watson.
That commander, now strengthened, and just doubling the numbers of our
partisan, with fresh supplies of provisions and military stores, had
once more pushed for the Pedee. He took the nearest route across Black
river, at Wragg's Ferry, and, crossing the Pedee at Euhaney, and the
Little Pedee at Potato Ferry, he halted at Catfish Creek, one mile from
the present site of Marion Courthouse. Marion crossed the Pedee, and
encamped at the Warhees, within five miles of the enemy. Here he planted
himself, in vigilant watch of the force which he could not openly
encounter. In addition to the want of men, he labored under a still
greater want of ammunition. When asked by Capt. Gavin Witherspoon,
whether he meant to fight Watson--a measure which Witherspoon thought
particularly advisable--before he was joined by any more bodies of
Tories, he answered, "That would be best, but we have not ammunition."
"Why, general," said Witherspoon, "my powder-horn is full."
"Ah, my friend!" was the reply of Marion, "YOU are an extraordinary
soldier; but for the others, there are not two rounds to a man."
Thus stood the two parties; and thus it but too frequently stood with
our partisan--wanting the most simple resources by which to make his own
genius and the valor of his men apparent. That the former was alive
and equal to emergencies, even in such a condition of necessity, may
be inferred from the fact, that he should dare take such a position, so
immediately contiguous to an enemy double his own force, and abounding
in all the requisite materials of war. The inactivity of Watson is only
to be accounted for by his total ignorance of the resourceless state of
Marion's rifles.
While Marion and Watson were thus relatively placed, the former was
apprised of the return of Greene to South Carolina. This intelligence
accounted for the hasty retreat of Doyle. He was summoned by Lord Rawdon
to Camden, to strengthen that position against the American force, which
was advancing in that direction. The reappearance of Greene was a
source of heartfelt joy to those who, but a little while before, had
anticipated the necessity of flying before the foe, and taking shelter
in the mountains. It was because of the absence of the American army
that Rawdon was enabled, as we have seen, to concentrate his chief force
upon Marion. The presence of Greene, which had caused the recall of
Doyle, must, as Marion well knew, effect that of Watson also. He was
preparing himself accordingly, when further advices brought him news
of the approach of Colonel Lee, with the Continental Legion, to his own
assistance. He dispatched a guide to Lee, and by means of boats, which
he always kept secreted, the Legion was transported over the Pedee, and
a junction with Marion's force was effected on the fourteenth of April.
The tidings which had brought such gratification to the camp of Marion,
had as inspiring, though not as grateful an effect in that of Watson.
He lost no time in breaking up his encampment. The safety of Rawdon and
Camden was paramount, and, wheeling his two field-pieces into Catfish
Creek, and burning his baggage, as Doyle had done, he sped, with similar
precipitation, in the same direction. The route taken in his flight
declared his apprehensions of Marion. He trembled at the recollection of
the recent race between them--the harassings and skirmishings night and
day--the sleepless struggles, and unintermitting alarms. Recrossing the
Little Pedee, and avoiding Euhaney, he passed the Waccamaw at Greene's
Ferry, and, retreating through the Neck, between that river and the sea,
crossed Winyaw Bay, three miles in width, and, in this manner, arrived
in Georgetown. A slight glance at any map of the country, keeping in
mind that Watson's object was really Camden, will show the reader the
extent of his fears of that wily and indefatigable enemy from whom he
had previously escaped with so much difficulty.
Marion was exceedingly anxious to pursue Watson, but Lee, though
subordinate, succeeded in preventing this desire. Instructions which he
brought from Greene, and which he earnestly dwelt upon, required their
cooperation against the British posts below Camden. Lee urged, also,
that such a pursuit would take them too far from Greene, with the
movements of whose army it was important that Marion's force should
act as intimately as possible. Marion yielded the point with great
reluctance, and was heard repeatedly after to regret that his orders did
not permit him to follow the dictates of his own judgment. Had he done
so, with his force strengthened by the Continental bayonets, and new
supplies of powder for his rifles, Watson's flight to Georgetown, which
he could scarcely have reached, would have been far more uncomfortable
than he found it on the previous occasion.
Lee led the way with his legion towards the Santee, while Marion,
placing Witherspoon with a small party on the trail of Watson, pursued
his line of march through Williamsburg. Having once resolved, Marion's
movements were always rapid and energetic. On the fifteenth of April,
only a day after the junction with Lee, he was before Fort Watson.
This was a stockade fort, raised on one of those remarkable elevations
of an unknown antiquity which are usually recognized as Indian mounds.
It stands near Scott's Lake on the Santee river, a few miles below the
junction of the Congaree and Wateree. The mound is forty feet in height,
and remote from any other elevation by which it might be commanded.
The garrison at this post consisted of eighty regular troops, and forty
loyalists. It was commanded by Lieut. McKay, a brave officer, of the
regular service. To the summons of Marion he returned a manly defiance,
and the place was regularly invested.
Besieged and besiegers were alike without artillery; with a single
piece, the former might well have defied any force which Marion
could bring against him. The place would have been impregnable to the
Americans. As it was, its steep sides and strong palisades forbade any
attempt to storm. To cut off the garrison from Scott's Lake, where
it procured water, was the first step taken by the besiegers. But the
besieged, by sinking a well within the stockade, below the level of the
contiguous water, counteracted the attempt. For a moment, the assailants
were at fault, and, without artillery, the prospect was sufficiently
discouraging. But while doubting and hesitating, Col. Mayham, of
the brigade, suggested a mode of overawing the garrison which was
immediately adopted. At a short distance from the fort there grew
a small wood, a number of the trees of which were hewn down, and
transported upon the shoulders of the men within a proper distance of
the mound. Here, during the night, all hands were actively employed
in piling the wood thus brought, in massive and alternate layers,
crosswise, until the work had reached a sufficient elevation. At dawn,
the garrison were confounded to find themselves, at wakening, under
a shower of rifle bullets. Thus overlooked, the fort was no longer
tenable; and a party of volunteers from the militia, headed by Ensign
Baker, and another of Continentals, from the legion, led by Mr. Lee,
a volunteer, ascended the mound with great intrepidity, and gained the
abbatis, which they proceeded to destroy. This movement brought the
garrison to terms, and a capitulation immediately followed. But the
leaguer had consumed eight days, the progress of which had been watched
with equal anxiety by both parties. The Americans apprehended, and the
garrison anticipated, the approach of Watson with an overwhelming force
for the relief of the besieged. But Watson did not appear. He no longer
had an overwhelming force. His flight to Georgetown was marked by loss
and desertion. It appears that his panic, or his sense of duty, led him
rather to avoid Marion and to reach Camden without interruption. He
very prudently, therefore, after crossing the Santee, on the route from
Georgetown, moved down by Monk's Corner, added to his force the garrison
of that place, and then cautiously advanced to the Santee. He resolved
rather to leave Fort Watson to its fate, than risk a force which might
be necessary to the exigencies of Rawdon. Watson was considered by the
British one of their best partisans, yet never had poor warrior been so
worried and harassed, as, with a superior force, he had been by Marion.
Yet, in his second expedition in pursuit of the latter, had he been able
to cooperate with Doyle, with the Tories of Harrison and Gainey, all
preparing for the same object, the escape of our partisan would have
been miraculous. At no time, during their pursuit of him, was his force
equal to the smallest one of theirs. He must have been expelled the
country, as he himself seemed to apprehend, or he must have fallen in
the conflict.
We have so little at the hands of Marion, in the shape of
correspondence, that we are tempted to give his official letter to
General Greene, apprising him of the fall of Fort Watson. It is dated--
Fort Watson (Scott's Lake), April 23, 1781.
Sir--
Lieut.-Col. Lee made a junction with me at Santee, the 14th inst., after
a rapid march from Ramsay's mill, on Deep River, which he performed in
eight days. The 15th we marched to this place and invested it. Our hope
was to cut off their water. Some riflemen and Continentals immediately
took post between the fort and the lake. The fort is situated on a small
hill, forty feet high, stockaded, and with three rows of abbatis round
it. No trees near enough to cover our men from their fire. The third day
after we had invested it, we found the enemy had sunk a well near the
stockade which we could not prevent them from [doing]; as we had no
entrenching tools to make our approach, we immediately determined
to erect a work equal in height to the fort. This arduous work was
completed this morning by Major Maham, who undertook it. We then made a
lodgment on the side of the mound, near the stockade. This was performed
with great spirit and address by Ensign Johnson, and Mr. Lee, a
volunteer in Col. Lee's legion, who with difficulty ascended the hill
and pulled away the abbatis, which induced the commandant to hoist a
flag. Col. Lee and myself agreed to the enclosed capitulation, which I
hope may be approved by you. Our loss on this occasion is two killed,
and three Continentals and three militia wounded. I am particularly
indebted to Col. Lee for his advice and indefatigable diligence in every
part of these tedious operations, against as strong a little post as
could well be made, and on the most advantageous spot that could be
wished for. The officers and men of the legion and militia performed
everything that could be expected; and Major Maham of my brigade, had,
in a particular manner, a great share of this success by his unwearied
diligence in erecting the tower which principally occasioned the
reduction of the fort. In short, sir, I have had the greatest assistance
from every one under my command. Enclosed is a list of the prisoners and
stores taken, and I shall, without loss of time, proceed to demolish the
fort; after which I shall march to the high hills of Santee, encamp at
Capt. Richardson's, and await your orders.
(Signed) Francis Marion.
In taking post at the Santee Hills, the object of Marion was to take
such a position as would enable him to watch all the several roads
by which Watson could make his way to Camden. It was important, if
possible, to prevent his junction with Lord Rawdon, thus increasing
the ability of that commander to cope with Greene's army, which now lay
before that place. But Marion was not able to encounter Watson without
assistance. Lee, with his legion, had been withdrawn by Greene soon
after the capture of Fort Watson, and our partisan's force in camp, from
concurring circumstances, was now reduced to about eighty men. Eighty of
his brigade were detached under Col. Irvine to Rafting Creek, in order
to cut off supplies from Camden. Another party was engaged in watching
a rising of the Tories on the Pedee, who, in the absence of Marion
himself, had manifested a disposition to resume the offensive; Col.
Harden, with another detachment, was on the Salkehatchie, having first
succeeded in the capture of Fort Balfour at Pocotaligo, in which he
made nearly a hundred prisoners. Other small detachments had thinned
the little army of our partisan to such a degree that it was of small
efficiency where it was; and, just at this juncture, numerous desertions
took place from two concurring circumstances. The approach of Marion to
the hills had brought on the battle of Camden. Unwilling that Greene's
force should be increased by the militia of the former, Rawdon had
resolved not to wait for Watson, but to march out and give battle before
the coming of either. He did so. The affair was not decisive, but Greene
was compelled to yield the field to his enemy. He lost nothing, whether
of honor or position, by this result. But, as the news spread, the
defeat was exaggerated. It was supposed to be another affair such as
that of Gates, and Marion's small body of men was still farther lessened
by desertion. There was still another reason for its present feebleness.
The time of the year was the very height of the planting season, and the
farmer-soldiers, in numbers, left the camp in order to hurry to their
homes and set their crops. This, though not allowed by the regular
disciplinarian, was, in the mind of the militia-man, a duty quite as
imperative as any that he owed to his family. Indeed, it was inseparable
from his necessities that, where the Government did not give him bread,
he must make it for himself. His family could not starve, and if he
could fight without pay, it was not possible that he should do so
without food. In the sort of warfare which Marion had hitherto carried
on, he had been willing to recognize these necessities on the part of
his followers. Cooperating with an army differently constituted, it was
scarcely possible to do so, with any hope of their permanent usefulness.
Just at this juncture, in particular, he felt the peculiarly mortifying
character of his situation.
To enable Marion to contend with Watson, Greene dispatched Major Eaton,
with a body of Continentals, to his assistance, with instructions
to throw himself across the path of Watson. But Eaton, by an unhappy
misunderstanding of his duty, failed to reach him in season for this
object. When he did join him, which was on the evening of the 2d of May,
it was too late. Marion, writing to Greene, says, "Major Eaton's not
coming up sooner has made me lose a great deal of precious time. I shall
cross the Santee at Wright's Bluff to-morrow." He did so, but Watson had
already passed, and succeeded in eluding Greene also, and in reaching
Camden in safety.
We have spoken of Col. Harden's proceedings against Fort Balfour, and
the capture of that post. This officer was a very brave and active
gentleman, rapid in his movements, and resolute in his objects. As
soon as Marion had received intelligence of Greene's approach to
South Carolina, he had dispatched Harden with seventy select men, well
mounted, to penetrate through the country, and crossing the enemy's
lines of communication, to stir up the people in all that region
which lies southwest of Charleston. So rapid and unexpected were his
movements, that he took the enemy everywhere by surprise, and rendered
himself, for the time, the very terror of the loyalists upon the route.
His force increased with its progress. The inhabitants yearned for an
escape from British authority, and joined his troop. His seventy
men soon became two hundred, and while he baffled the pursuit of
the superior, he visited with sudden and severe chastisement the
disaffected, along and on both sides of the Savannah river. Ascending
this, he soon communicated with Pickens, then operating against Augusta
and Ninety-Six. Nothing now was wanting but the fall of the enemy's
chain of posts, to complete the recovery of the whole country within
thirty miles of the sea. In contributing to this desirable object
Marion, now strengthened by the Continentals of Lee and Eaton, invested
Fort Motte on the river Congaree.
This post was the principal depot of the convoys from Charleston to
Camden, and sometimes of those destined for Forts Granby and Ninety-Six.
A large new mansion-house belonging to Mrs. Motte, situated on a high
and commanding hill, had been chosen for this establishment. It was
surrounded with a deep trench, along the inner margin of which a
strong and lofty parapet was raised. To this post had been assigned
a sufficient garrison of one hundred and fifty men. This force was
increased by a small detachment of dragoons from Charleston, which had
been thrown into it a few hours before the appearance of the Americans.
The garrison was commanded by Capt. McPherson, a firm and gallant
officer.
Opposite to Fort Motte, to the north, stood another hill, where Mrs.
Motte, who had been expelled from her dwelling, resided in an old
farm-house. On this, Lee took position with his corps: Marion's men
occupied the eastern declivity of the same ridge on which stood the
fort.
The place was very soon invested. The six pounder with which Greene had
furnished Marion, was mounted on a battery raised in the quarter which
he occupied, for the purpose of raking the northern face of the enemy's
parapet. McPherson was in the possession of a wall-piece, but he had not
been able to adapt it for use before the investment took place. It does
not seem to have been even used during the siege. His chief hopes lay
in being relieved by a detachment from Camden, not doubting its arrival
before his assailant could push his preparations to maturity. The works
of the latter advanced rapidly, and the place was summoned on the 20th
of May. The reply declared the determination of the besieged to try the
strength and patience of the besiegers. These had now every motive for
perseverance. They were advised of the approach of Rawdon, with all his
force, to the relief of the fort. That stern commander, finding Camden
was no longer tenable against the increasing forces of the Americans,
and unable to maintain his several posts with his diminished strength,
was aiming to contract his scattered bodies into narrower limits.
Having made a second, but unsatisfactory, demonstration upon Greene,
he destroyed his unnecessary baggage, and, leaving Camden in flames, he
once more abandoned it to the Americans. Greene advised Marion of his
retreat, and urged him to expedition. On the next night he reached
the country opposite Fort Motte, and his numerous fires on the highest
grounds on his route, encouraged the garrison with hopes of success,
which were not to be realized.
What was to be done, was to be done quickly, on the part of the
besiegers. The process of battering by cannon would be too slow. Some
shorter mode was to be adopted, to anticipate the approach of Rawdon.
The ready thought of our partisan suggested this process. It was known
that the large mansion of Mrs. Motte occupied the greater part of the
area of the fort; but a few yards of ground within the works remained
uncovered by it. To burn the house by fire would compel the surrender of
the garrison.
The necessity was very reluctantly communicated to the widow by whom
the property was owned. But she was one of those glorious dames of the
Revolution, to whom the nation is so largely indebted for the glory of
that event. She had received the American officers with a hospitality
which made them almost shrink from suggesting their purposes; but as
soon as they were made known, she put them perfectly at ease upon the
subject. With something more than cheerfulness--with pride--that
any sacrifice on her part should contribute to the success of her
countrymen, in so dear an object, she herself produced a bow, with all
the necessary apparatus, which had been brought from India,* and which
she had preserved. By the arrows from this bow the fire was to be
communicated to her dwelling.
* The origin of this bow, though unimportant, is nonetheless
the subject of great differences. James says an "Indian bow
and arrows", though one would expect he meant "American
Indian" from the context. Weems implies that it was from
Africa.--A. L., 1996.--
Everything being in readiness, the lines were manned and an additional
force stationed at the batteries, lest the enemy, in the moment of
desperation, might prefer risking an assault, rather than endure the
mortification of a surrender. A flag was sent to McPherson, but the
sight of Rawdon's fires on the other side of the river encouraged him
with the belief that he might still resist successfully.
The bow was put into the hands of Nathan Savage, a private in Marion's
brigade. It was noon when the attempt was made. The scorching rays of
the noonday sun had prepared the roof for the conflagration. Balls
of blazing rosin and brimstone were attached to the arrows, and three
several shafts were sent by the vigorous arm of the militia-man against
the roof. They took effect, in three different quarters, and the
shingles were soon in a blaze. McPherson immediately ordered a party
to the roof, but this had been prepared for, and the fire of the
six-pounder soon drove the soldiers down. The flames began to rage,
the besiegers were on the alert, guarding every passage, and no longer
hopeful of Rawdon, McPherson hung out the white flag imploring mercy.
The gentle nature of Marion readily yielded to his prayer, though, as
Lee tells us, "policy commanded death."
In this siege Marion lost two brave fellows, one of whom has been more
than once conspicuous in this narrative--the daring Sergeant McDonald,
and Lieutenant Cruger. McDonald had reached a lieutenancy before he
fell. The prisoners were paroled, but their officers before leaving
partook of a sumptuous dinner given by Mrs. Motte to the victors. This
noble lady, whose grace of demeanor is represented as quite equal to
her patriotism, presided at her table, in such a manner as to render all
parties at home. Col. P. Horry tells us of some of the incidents which
took place at the dinner. A captain of the British army, taken among the
prisoners, on finding himself near Horry, said to him:
"You are Col. Horry, I presume, sir." Horry answered in the affirmative.
"Well," said the other, "I was with Col. Watson when he on Sampit fought
your General Marion. I think I saw you there with a party of horse. I
think you were also at Nelson's Ferry, when Marion surprised our party
at the house? But," added the officer, "I was hid in high grass and
escaped. Were you not there also?" Horry answered, "No! It was my
brother Hugh." "Well," said the captain, "YOU were fortunate in your
escape [at Sampit] for Watson and Small had 1200 men." "If so," said
Horry, "I certainly was fortunate, for I did not suppose they had more
than half that number." The captain then added--"I consider myself
equally fortunate in escaping at Nelson's old field." "Truly, you were,"
answered Horry drily; "for Marion had but 30 militia on that occasion."
"At this," says our worthy Colonel, "the captain's countenance fell, and
he retired, and avoided me the rest of the day. General Greene, the
next day (Greene had reached Marion's camp that night) said to me, 'Col.
Horry, how came you to affront Capt. Ferguson?' I answered, he affronted
himself by telling his own story. It militated so greatly against
himself as to compel the officers who were near to laugh. The captain
and I, sir, agreed that we were both equally fortunate in war. Greene
replied, 'Capt. Ferguson's memory was only too good.'"*
* Horry's MS. Narrative, pp. 74-75.--
While at the hospitable table of Mrs. Motte, it was whispered in
Marion's ears, that Col. Lee's men were even then engaged in hanging
certain of the Tory prisoners. Marion instantly hurried from the table,
seized his sword, and running with all haste, reached the place of
execution in time to rescue one poor wretch from the gallows. Two were
already beyond rescue or recovery. With drawn sword and a degree of
indignation in his countenance that spoke more than words, Marion
threatened to kill the first man that made any further attempt in such
diabolical proceedings.*
* Horry's MS. Narrative, p. 75.--