Francis Marion, byname the Swamp Fox , (born c. 1732, Winyah, South Carolina [U.S.]—died February 26, 1795, Berkeley county, South Carolina, U.S.), colonial American soldier in the American Revolution (1775–83), nicknamed the “Swamp Fox” by the British for his elusive tactics.
How did Francis Marion get his nickname?
Known for his cunning and resourcefulness, Francis Marion earned the moniker the “Swamp Fox” for his exploits during the Revolutionary War , which also inspired many colorful interpretations of his life and military career.
Why was Francis Marion so important?
Francis Marion (1732-1795) was one of the most successful partisan military leaders of the American Revolutionary War . He led bands of guerrillas in several victories against British and Britain-allied Colonists, from whom he received the name “Swamp Fox” for his craftiness in eluding pursuit in the Carolina swamps.
What happened to Francis Marion?
In November of 1780, Marion earned the nickname he’s remembered by today. ... In 1790, Marion helped write the South Carolina state constitution, and then retired from public life. After a long decline in health, Francis Marion died at his plantation, Pond Bluff , on February 27, 1795.
What did Francis Marion defend?
When the war with Britain began, Marion received a commission in the Continental Army and helped defend Charleston, SC. With the city’s loss in 1780, he commenced a career as a highly effective guerilla leader that saw him employ hit and run tactics to win numerous victories over the British.
Is the Patriot a true story?
The popular film The Patriot is loosely based on the exploits of several real life historical figures including a British officer, Lt. Col. Banstre Tarleton and several American patriots: the “Swamp Fox,” Francis Marion, Daniel Morgan, Elijah Clark, Thomas Sumter and Andrew Pickens.
What challenges did Francis Marion face?
But Marion’s most extraordinary accomplishment may have been that in a struggle marked by all the savagery of a civil war, during which he and his men were usually hungry and hunted, and in the face of wanton destruction and occasional heartbreaking cruelties committed by his enemies (including the capture and summary ...
Who won the battle of the cow pens?
Battle of Cowpens – At the Cowpens, a frontier pastureland, on January 17, 1781, Daniel Morgan led his army of tough Continentals and backwoods militia to a brilliant victory over Banastre Tarleton’s battle-hardened force of British regulars.
Is the Patriot based on Francis Marion?
In “The Patriot,” Mel Gibson plays Benjamin Martin , a militia leader based largely on Francis Marion, the famed “Swamp Fox,” whose guerrilla tactics helped keep the war alive in South Carolina, where conventional solders on the colonialists’ side were not faring well.
What special method of fighting did Francis Marion use in his attacks on the British?
General Francis Marion known as “The Swamp Fox” used sneaky guerrilla warfare and undercover tactics . Marion and his South Carolina militia used the woods and swamplands of the backcountry to raid and hide as they attacked and undid the British troops during the American War for Independence.
What did Spain gain from helping the American won the Revolutionary War?
Spain contributed to the American Revolution from the onset by secretly providing money, gunpowder and supplies to the Americans . This assistance was Page 7 desperately needed to maintain the struggle for independence against the vast resources of the British Empire.
Where did Francis Marion spend the majority of his life?
He was born on his parents’ plantation in Berkley, South Carolina and lived there until he was five or six. Then his family settled on a plantation near Georgetown, South Carolina .
Who was the father of modern day guerilla warfare?
General Brigadier Francis Marion, known as the “Swamp Fox ,” was one of the fathers of modern guerilla warfare. The Patriot, a film by Mel Gibson, was influenced by Marion’s military exploits. A Georgetown native, Marion was famous for his uncanny ability to elude and outsmart British forces.
What battle is the turning point of the Revolutionary War?
The Battle of Saratoga occurred in September and October, 1777, during the second year of the American Revolution. It included two crucial battles, fought eighteen days apart, and was a decisive victory for the Continental Army and a crucial turning point in the Revolutionary War.
What did Francis Marion do after the war?
After the war at the age of 54, Marion married his 49-year old cousin, Mary Esther Videau. Marion served several terms in the South Carolina State Senate. In 1784, in recognition of his services, he was made commander of Fort Johnson, South Carolina , a virtual sinecure position, with a salary of $500 per annum.
