Marion, Francis, Continental General

Autograph letter signed ("Fran. Marion"), 2 pages 4to with integral address leaf (7 3/4 x 6 5/8 in.; 197 x 170 mm), East of Santee [South Carolina], 14 November 1781, to Major General Nathaniel Greene, giving details of his operations against the British in the South, docketed on verso of first leaf; browned, some staining from seal, seal tear affecting docket. Folding case with olive and brown marbled boards, light tan morocco spine, darker tan lettering pieces.

Joseph M. Roebling (sale, Sotheby's, 28 April 1981, lot 100)

The classic tactics of the Swamp Fox: "I thought it best to ... take a position from which I could easyly annoy the enemy ..." In this letter to General Nathaniel Greene, Marion details his operations against the British in the South. "Tho' I did not think it safe to take post at Huger's Bridge I thought it best to pass the river ... with my whole force and take position from which I could easyly annoy the enemy and where I shall be glad to see them attempt removing me. Col. Maham will join me this day, which will give a superiority of Cavalry, &  hope to make their post at Wantoot uneasy to them and prevent their foraging. Yesterday some of their horses was within two miles of me & another party of two hundred went up the river above Nelson's yesterday morning. They patrole from James Sinkler's up to Laurens's dayly, and by their taking every Negro in their way and plundering every person without Distinction, they mean to Evacuate & go off with as much property as possible, & I think they will push for Georgia by land with part of their force, for it is impossible they can find shiping to carry off so great a number of Negroes as they have collected. ... I have heard nothing since my last of Lesley, only he was in town a prisoner of war. ... The troops arrived in town, I hope is only those from Wilmington as a small reinforcement—A day or two we shall be certain ... "

In November 1781, Marion assisted General Greene in driving the remaining British army out of South Carolina. Stationed in St. Thomas Parish, his objective was to "annoy" the British at Wappetaw Meeting House near Huger's Bridge; and later in the month he sent Colonel Maham down to attack. The garrison had fled to Charleston and  Marion and his brigade pursued them, lingering near Huger's Bridge, driving off cattle and taking whatever supplies he deemed the enemy would find useful. In the last paragraph, Marion mentions that he has learned of General Alexander Leslie's arrival in Charleston. He later learned that Leslie had brought more than a "small reinforcement" to defend Britain's last stronghold in the South.