Marion summoned with his Force to that of Greene--
Insurrection of the Loyalists on the Pedee--Marches
against them--Subdues them--Treats with Gainey--Fanning
--Protects the Tory, Butler, from his Men--Returns to the
Country between the Santee and the Cooper--Moves to protect
Georgetown from the British Fleet--Takes post at Watboo,
on Cooper River--Defeats the British Cavalry under Major
Frasier.
Meanwhile, the main body of the army under Greene continued to suffer
diminution. On the first of May a large proportion of the North Carolina
troops were entitled to and claimed their discharge. No recruits were
expected from the North, and it became necessary to draw together all
the force that South Carolina could afford. The Government of this
State, from its first re-organization, had faithfully endeavored to
re-establish the South Carolina line, but without money or means, with
very little corresponding success. A few recruits were obtained from
among those who had recently received their discharge, but the service
had been of a kind to baffle all the temptations and arguments of
the recruiting officers. In the emergency of the case, it became
indispensable to look to the militia under Marion, Pickens and
Henderson; and these leaders were accordingly required to repair to
headquarters.
The withdrawal of the former, with his troops, from the region of
country which they had so lately covered, was the signal for that rising
of the loyalists upon the Pedee, to instigate which the unfortunate
emissary of General Leslie had been dispatched from Charleston. The
absence of Marion was considered auspicious to the new movement. He
had scarcely reached Dorchester when his ancient enemy, Major Gainey,
appeared in arms at the head of a considerable body of troops, both
cavalry and infantry. A small command under Col. Baxter, which had been
left by Marion to observe their movements, was too feeble to make head
against them, and it became necessary for Marion himself to retrace his
steps, and arrest the progress of the insurrection. Placing himself at
the head of Mayham's cavalry, he promptly advanced in the direction of
the enemy. So rapid were his movements, so vigilant his watch, so well
devised his plans, that he reached the Pedee country long before his
approach was suspected. His presence, on the present occasion, was
a surprise. It had long been a terror; so much so that but for his
remoteness at the camp of Greene, they had, in all probability, never
ventured to resume their arms. Three separate bodies of men, by a
judicious arrangement of our partisan, were prepared to enter their
country at the same moment. These were so placed, that, though operating
separately, they might yet be made to cooperate if desired. The effect
was such as to paralyse the incipient resolution of the loyalists. They
showed no disposition for fight; and feeling their temper, conscious of
his difficulties, and now no longer hopeful of help from the British,
Gainey dispatched a flag to Marion with proposals to treat for a
pacification. He was not unwilling to renew the treaty which, just
one year before, he had entered into with Horry, who then acted as
the lieutenant of our partisan. This treaty, influenced by British
emissaries, the Tories had very imperfectly kept. In small squads
they had been perpetually rising, and committing trespasses upon
their neighbors whenever the withdrawal of Marion's men afforded them
opportunity. They had now everything to fear from his anger; but they
also knew his willingness to forgive. Relying upon this, and making a
merit of necessity, the communication of Gainey expressed the
warmest solicitude for peace. To this Marion was prepared to listen.
Commissioners were appointed on both sides. They met, but, unhappily,
they recognized in each other well known personal opponents. They had
often met in strife, and could not forbear alluding to their encounters.
The conversation grew warm, the parties excited, and instead of coming
to terms, the commissioners almost came to blows. They separated with
increased resentment. A fierce skirmish followed, and the attempt to
adjust their differences was renewed between the respective commanders.
Marion was anxious to effect a pacification. His services were required
below on the Santee and Cooper, to check the incursions of the British,
and he consented to meet and confer with Gainey in person. This
determination was censured by some of his officers. They denounced
Gainey as a leader of banditti; and, certainly, his conduct, on many
occasions, deserved the reproach. They reproached Marion for committing
his dignity in treating with such a person. But this suggestion did not
affect him. He was governed by views and principles very far superior
to those which influence the ordinary soldier. His pride did not suffer
from such censures. His reply was equally prompt and conclusive. He
told them that he "aimed at no higher dignity than that of essentially
serving his country."
The result was satisfactory to our partisan. Making a merit of
necessity, Gainey yielded without requiring any farther resort to blows.
At the Bowling Green, between the Great and Little Pedee, more than five
hundred men laid down their arms, submitting to conditions which were
rather strict than severe. Marion and Gainey met at Birch's mill on the
8th June, when a treaty was drawn up having for its basis the articles
of the preceding arrangement with Horry. By this treaty, Gainey and his
men were to lay down their arms and not to resume them unless ordered to
do so by the authorities of the State; they bound themselves to deliver
up all negroes, horses, cattle and other property of which they had
dispossessed the people of this or any other State--to demean themselves
as peaceable citizens, and submit to the laws of the State--to deliver
up all contumacious and rebellious persons within their district--to
deliver up all deserters from the regular service--to sign a declaration
of allegiance to the United States, and to South Carolina in particular,
and to abjure the British crown, and to surrender all British property.
Compliance with these conditions, was to ensure them full pardon for
their treasons to the State, and the enjoyment of their property as
citizens within it; while individuals not choosing to comply, were to be
permitted, with their wives and children, a safe progress to the British
lines. From the benefits of this treaty, some few atrocious offenders
were excepted. Major Gainey removed with those who preferred to
adhere to the fortunes of the British. He did not side with their
determination, but he deemed it a duty to see that those who had
followed his arms, should be put in safety beyond the reach of their
enemies: an honorable resolve certainly. Before his departure he waited
upon Marion and said: "Honor, sir, requires that I should yield my
commission to Col. Balfour, from whom I received it; but this done, I
shall immediately return to the country and seek your protection." This
was frankly promised him, and with every confidence in the assurance
of Marion, as soon as he had concluded his affairs in Charleston, he
promptly returned and enrolled himself in the American ranks. One of
the loyalists, specially exempted from the privileges of the treaty
with Gainey, was a notorious marauder by the name of Fanning. He was a
sanguinary ruffian, with considerable talents, but brutal, reckless, and
most inveterate in his hostility to the American cause. Shortly after
the treaty with Gainey, this person appeared in the truce ground at the
head of a small party. It was feared that he would stir up the revolt
anew. He came for that purpose. Marion was at once upon the alert. His
force, divided into three bodies, occupied various parts of the lately
disaffected districts, and overawed the spirit of revolt, if it yet
existed. Finding the cause hopeless in that quarter, Fanning sent a flag
to Marion with a request that he would grant a safe-conduct to his wife,
and some property, to the British garrison in Charleston. Against any
such concession the officers of Marion expostulated. They were unwilling
that so cruel a ruffian should receive any indulgence. But Marion looked
more deeply into the matter, and yielded a prompt compliance with the
request. "Let but his wife and property reach the British lines, and
Fanning will follow. Force them to remain, and we only keep a serpent
in our bosom." Such was his reasoning, and the truth of it was very soon
apparent. Finding the hope of insurrection fruitless, Fanning fled the
country, and was as soon in Charleston as his wife.
The disaffected district was now covered by his troops, busied in
securing all persons who, declining to retire to the British, still
withheld their submission from the American authorities. In
the execution of this duty, some licentiousness followed--such
irregularities as are apt to occur where soldiers traverse a subdued
territory. Intimations of these irregularities reached the ears of the
partisan. No individual was charged with offence, and no particulars
were given; but Marion took occasion to declare his indignation in the
presence of officers and men. "I have heard insinuations," said he,
"which, if true, would disgrace my command; no accusation has been made;
but I wish you clearly to know that let officer or soldier be proved
guilty of crime, and he shall hang on the next tree." His firmness and
sincerity were known; and he heard of no more license. While engaged
in the irksome duty of arresting the recusant, he was equally busy in
granting written protections to those who subscribed frankly to the
conditions of the treaty. The judicious disposition and immediate
presence of his force--the terror inspired by his successes--the
knowledge which they had of his mercy, and their evident abandonment by
the British--had the effect of bringing crowds to his camp, trebling the
number of his own troops, seeking the proffered securities. Such was
the consumption of paper on this occasion, or rather such the poverty at
headquarters, that old letters were torn up, the backs of which were put
in requisition for this object. While at Birch's mills, on the Pedee,
among others who sought the protection of Marion was one Capt. Butler,
who had made himself particularly odious by his crimes and ferocity.
He had been conspicuous as the oppressor of the Whig inhabitants of the
Pedee. He was not ignorant of the detestation in which he was held, and
it was with some misgivings that he sought the required protection. His
appearance in the American camp was the signal for a commotion. There
were among the men of Marion some who were connected with persons who
had suffered by the atrocities of Butler. They determined to avenge
their friends. They resolved that no protection should save him, and an
intemperate message to that effect was sent to Marion. Marion instantly
took Butler to his own tent, and firmly answered those by whom the
message was brought: "Relying on the pardon offered, the man whom you
would destroy has submitted. Both law and honor sanction my resolution
to protect him with my life." A still more intemperate message reached
him, declaring that "Butler should be dragged to death from his
tent--that to defend such a wretch was an insult to humanity." To this
Marion made no reply, but calling around him the members of his family,
and some of his most trusty followers, he gave them to understand that
he should expect their cooperation at all hazards in protecting the
culprit from violence. "Prepare to give me your assistance, for though
I consider the villainy of Butler unparalleled, yet, acting under orders
as I am, I am bound to defend him. I will do so or perish." The mutiny
threatened to be formidable, and that night, Marion succeeded with a
strong guard in conveying the prisoner to a place of safety. The treaty
with Gainey put an end to the domestic feuds upon the Pedee, and anxious
to regain the local confidence which they had forfeited, numbers of
the loyalists of this quarter, following the example of their leader,
entered the ranks of the Americans, and though too late to be of
effectual service in the war, yet furnished sufficient proofs of their
fidelity.
No farther necessity appearing for the longer stay of Marion on the
Pedee, he prepared to return to his former range along the rivers Cooper
and Santee. His absence from this region afforded an opportunity for
the enemy to renew their depredations from Charleston. Marion had left
Colonel Ashby in command of his infantry, when, at the head of Mayham's
horse, he hurried to encounter Gainey, and quell his insurrection.
Ashby, pressed by a superior British force, had been compelled to yield
before it, and this intelligence left our partisan no moment of respite
after quelling the commotions on the Pedee, before he was required to
return and cover the country which had so long been indebted to his
vigilance for protection. In leaving the Pedee, with still some doubts
of the newly converted loyalists of that quarter, he left Col. Baxter
with one hundred and fifty trusty men, to maintain the ascendency which
he had just acquired. This object was of the last importance, not only
with reference to the doubtful 'personnel' of the country, but the
valuable 'materiel', cattle and provisions, which might have been
carried off to the enemy. Suspicious of the fidelity of the loyalists,
there was every reason to fear that it might be too strongly tested.
The British were known to be preparing a fleet of small vessels for some
enterprises directed northwardly, and no object of importance seemed
more obvious than that of renewing the disturbances on the Pedee and
possessing themselves of the immense plunder which that region of
country might still afford.
All precautions taken, our partisan hurried his return. But had he not
been joined by a newly raised corps under Major Conyers, he must have
marched alone. So rapid had been his movements, so unremitting his
duties, that the cavalry of Mayham which he led, were completely broken
down. He was compelled to leave them behind him to recruit. At Murray's
Ferry, on the Santee, he halted to collect his militia, and await the
arrival of Mayham's corps. Here he consolidated the commands of Mayham
and Conyers into one regiment; and about the middle of July was enabled
once more to cross the Santee with a force of three hundred dismounted
infantry, and a respectable body of horse. With these he took post on
the Wassamasaw, in a position which, while it was secure, enabled him to
cooperate with the detachments of the main army in covering the country.
Here his vigilance was again conspicuous. His parties were constantly
busy. His own movements to and fro, wherever an enemy could approach,
or was suspected, were continual, from the Cooper to the Santee. His
objects were threefold--to check the irruptions of the enemy, to cut off
their supplies, and to provide for his own people. His scouting parties
penetrated in every hostile direction--sometimes as low as Daniel's
Island and Clement's Ferry--points almost within the ken of the British
garrison. But the enemy was no longer enterprising. They were not often
met. Their cavalry was few and inferior, and their exigencies may be
inferred from their uniforming and converting some of their captured
negroes into troopers. One corps of these black dragoons, consisting of
twenty-six men, was cut to pieces by one of Marion's scouting parties of
twelve, commanded by Capt. Capers.
The British, tired of the war, were preparing to evacuate the country.
Preparatory to this, it was necessary that they should lay in sufficient
store of provisions. General Leslie had been preparing for this
necessity and, late in July, a numerous fleet of small vessels,
conveying eight hundred men, and convoyed by galleys and armed brigs,
left Charleston to proceed, as it was conjectured, against Georgetown.
This compelled Marion to hasten in that direction. Here he made every
arrangement for moving the public stores to a place of safety. Black
Mingo was preferred as the depot, for the honorable reason, as given in
Marion's own words, that it was "a settlement of good citizens and of my
earliest and most faithful followers." But the enterprise of the enemy
was less hazardous. The collection of rice was their object. This was to
be found in the greatest quantity on the Santee, from the banks of which
river they carried off about six hundred barrels. Marion's force was
thrown over the Sampit so as to intercept their march to Georgetown,
but he could not impede their progress up the South Santee, protected as
they were under the guns of their galleys.
With the departure of the enemy from the river, the completion of
his arrangements for the removal of the stores at Georgetown, and the
defence of that place, Marion again recrossed the Santee and hurried to
Watboo, on the Cooper. This river, leading to Charleston, to which the
fleet of the enemy had returned, was naturally thought to be the next
which they would attempt to penetrate. He had left a small body of
infantry at this place, but this was deemed inadequate to the required
duties. But they were sufficient at least to attract the attention of
the British. Ignorant of Marion's return, believing him to be still
at Georgetown, whither, it was known, he had taken all his cavalry,--a
detachment of dragoons, more than one hundred strong, was sent from
Charleston, under Major Frasier, against the post at Watboo. The
rapidity of Marion's movements brought him back in season for its
safety. It happened unfortunately, that, when he heard of the approach
of this detachment, his cavalry were absent, patrolling down the river,
maintaining their watch for the British fleet, which was the chief
subject of apprehension. This fleet, meanwhile, had gone southwardly,
pursuing the object of its former quest up the waters of the Combahee.
With the approach of Frasier, Marion dispatched his messengers in search
of his cavalry, and to call in his pickets. Some of the latter had
joined him before the enemy appeared. Frasier exhibited considerable
conduct in making his approaches. He had taken an unfrequented route,
and had succeeded in capturing some of the out-sentinels of our
partisan. He advanced upon him in the fullest confidence of effecting
a surprise--not of Marion, but of the smaller force under Col. Ashby,
which he still believed to be the only force opposed to him. He was soon
undeceived and found his enemy rather stronger than he expected, and
drawn up in readiness for his reception. It was about the 25th of
August. Marion lay at the plantation of Sir John Colleton, on the south
side of Watboo Creek, and a little above the bridge. The situation
pleased him, and it was one of his frequent places of encampment when he
happened to be operating in the vicinity. The owner was a loyalist
and had left the country. The mansion and his extensive range of negro
houses afforded ample shelter for such a force as that which Marion
commanded. With the gradual advance of Frasier, Marion seems to have
been acquainted, but in the absence of his cavalry his only mode of
obtaining intelligence was through his officers. These alone, of all
the party in camp, were provided with horses. Of these, he ordered out
a party under Capt. Gavin Witherspoon to reconnoitre. While they were
absent, Marion put his infantry in order of battle. The main body
occupied an avenue of venerable cedars, which, neglected during the
war, in their untrimmed state, stood overgrown with branches, their long
boughs trailing almost to the ground. His left, by which the enemy
was compelled to advance, were placed under cover of some of the
out-buildings. Thus prepared, he waited the approach of the British,
though not without sundry misgivings. It must be confessed that, at this
juncture, he had not the most perfect confidence in the force under his
command. They consisted, in great proportion, of those who, in that day,
were known as new-made Whigs--men who had deserted the enemy and been
cleansed of their previous treasons by the proclamation of Governor
Rutledge, which, not long before, had promised immunity to all who came
in promptly with their adhesion and joined the American ranks. There
were also present some of those who, under Gainey, had recently received
the protection of Marion, on the truce ground of Pedee. Major Gainey
himself was among them, and with forty of his people, was placed
conspicuously in the column in preparation for the British approach.
Well might Marion feel some uneasiness at his situation, particularly in
the absence of the cavalry on which he could rely. But our partisan had
the art of securing the fidelity of those around him, in quite as great
a degree as he possessed that other great military art, of extracting
good service out of the most doubtful materials. He concealed his
apprehensions, while he endeavored to dissipate those of his men.
Meanwhile, Witherspoon, with the reconnoitring party, advanced but a
little distance in the woods, when they were met by the enemy's cavalry
and instantly charged. A long chase followed, which soon brought the
pursuers into view of the partisan. His men were half concealed behind
the thick boughs of the cedars beneath which they were drawn up. The
interest of the chase, as they drew more near, was increased by a little
incident which was greatly calculated to encourage the militia. When in
full view, the horse of Witherspoon failed him, or his rider purposely
fell behind to bring up the rear of his little escort. At this sight
a British dragoon darted forward to cut him down. Witherspoon coolly
suffered him to advance until he was almost within striking distance.
With sword uplifted, the assailant had already risen in his stirrups
to smite, when, quick as lightning, Witherspoon, who had watched him
narrowly, poured the contents of his carbine into his breast. This was
followed by a shout from the Americans, and, with furious yells, the
British dashed forward upon Marion's left. The reconnoitring party
melted before them, and the infantry delivered their fire with fatal
effect. A dozen saddles were instantly emptied, Capt. Gillies of the
British, who led the charge, being one of the first victims. The enemy
soon rallied, and attempted first his right and then his left flank; but
the evolutions of Marion were quite as ready, and, by changing his front
promptly, and availing himself of the cover afforded by the houses and
the fences, he showed the hazard of attempting a second charge to be
too great for such a force as that of Frasier. For an hour after, the
British manoeuvred around them, but without discovering any opportunity
of retrieving or revenging their disaster. A single fire terminated this
affair, and seldom has a single fire, where so small a front has been
engaged, done such considerable execution. One officer and eight men
were instantly killed; three officers and eight men wounded; five
horses fell dead upon the field, a few were taken and many wounded. The
discharge took place at thirty paces, and Marion's men usually fired
with heavy buck-shot. His new-made Whigs stood the test bravely, showing
a steadiness and courage, whilst opposed to their old allies, which soon
set the heart of our partisan at ease. They had very good reasons for
steadiness and valor. They fought with halters about their necks. Not a
man of them, if taken, would have escaped the cord and tree. Marion did
not lose a man, but he suffered a very serious loss of another sort. In
the midst of the confusion of the fight, the driver of his ammunition
wagon took fright, and made off with his charge in a direction
which betrayed its flight to the enemy, who immediately sent a small
detachment, by which it was taken. Marion had no cavalry to recover it;
but five of his men, armed with the broad-swords of the British whom
they had just slain, and mounted on their captured horses, volunteered
to recover it. They actually succeeded in rescuing it from the
detachment by which it was taken, but could retain it only till the
fugitives could reach their main body and return with a force to which
our volunteers could oppose no resistance. They were compelled to
abandon the prize, which, had fortune seconded their endeavors, was
certainly due to their merits. This little affair is a sample of that
generous service which it was the happy faculty of our partisan to
extract from his followers. It is to tradition that we owe the vague
memory of numerous like advantages, of which history preserves no
records. Under his guidance, his men seldom suffered panic. They fancied
themselves invincible when he led. In the present instance he declared
that not a man faltered--that he even had to restrain their eagerness,
and prevent them rushing out into the open field, to meet the charge of
the cavalry. His own coolness never deserted him. He never lost sight
of the whole field, in the vehement action of a part. His keenness of
vision, his vigilance of watch, his promptness in opposing his best
resources to the press of danger, of covering his weak points, and
converting into means and modes of defence and extrication, all that was
available in his situation--were remarkable endowments, which soon fixed
the regards of his followers, and upon which they unhesitatingly relied.
In the absence of his cavalry, a defeat would have been a rout; his
infantry would have been cut to pieces, and his cavalry subsequently
exposed to similar disaster. Had the latter been present, the safety of
the British must have depended solely on the fleetness of their steeds.
With this affair ended the actual conflicts of our partisan. His men
were not yet disbanded. He himself did not yet retire from the field
which he had so often traversed in triumph. But the occasion for
bloodshed was over. The great struggle for ascendancy between the
British crown and her colonies was understood to be at an end. She was
prepared to acknowledge the independence for which they had fought, when
she discovered that it was no longer in her power to deprive them of it.
She will not require any eulogium of her magnanimity for her reluctant
concession.