life of francis marion(弗朗西丝·马利翁传)-第15章
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northern branch of that river； at Nelson's plantation； marched up and
surprised him in the night。 The rout was universal； and attended； as
Tarcote swamp was near； with more dismay than slaughter。 Gen。 Marion
lost not a man； some tories were killed； and among the rest Capt。 Amos
Gaskens； a man noted before the war for petty larceny； and after it
commenced； for plundering under Major Wemyss。 The most of Tynes' men；
soon after joined Gen。 Marion； and fought bravely。
The next enemy Gen。 Marion proceeded to encounter was the
renowned Col。 Tarleton。 Hearing that he had left Charleston； where he had
been for some time past confined with a fever； and that he was to cross at
Nelson's ferry with a body of cavalry； Gen。 Marion lay in wait for him； in
the river swamp； a part of two days。 （Nov。 1780。） He had cut bushes； and
planted them on the road side in such a manner as would have ensured him
a deadly fire。 But in the evening of the second day； he was informed that
Tarleton had passed before he had arrived on his way to Camden； and the
general immediately commenced his march up the road in the same
direction。 In the night he stopped in a wood； near where Mr。 Charles
Richardson now lives； and was about to encamp； but seeing a great light
towards Gen。 Richardson's plantation； he concluded that it was the houses
of the plantation on fire； and that Tarleton was there。 While deliberating
what was to be done； Col。 Richard Richardson came in； and informed him
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the enemy was there； and at least double his number； with two field pieces；
and it was discovered that one of his men had deserted to them。 Finding
Tarleton had now a guide； and that his position was unsafe； Marion
immediately retreated； and crossing the Woodyard； then a tremendous
swamp； in the most profound darkness；* he never stopped till he had
passed Richbourgh's mill dam； on Jack's creek； distant about six miles。
Having now a mill pond and miry swamp between him and the enemy； and
the command of a narrow pass； the first words the general was heard to
say were； 〃Now we are safe！〃 As soon as Tarleton received intelligence of
Gen。 Marion's position； and had got a guide； he thought to make sure of
his prey； and commenced his march： he was led in silence to the spot
which he contemplated as another scene of slaughter； but his intended
victim had flown。 He pursued to the Woodyard； but could not pass that
night。 The next morning Marion； knowing the vigilance of his foe；
decamped betimes； and pursuing his route down Black river； for thirty…five
miles； through woods； and swamps and bogs； where there was no road；
encamped the following night on advantageous ground； at Benbow's ferry；
now Lowry's bridge； about ten miles above Kingstree； on the east side of
Black river。 In a partisan warfare this position was the best that could have
been taken。 He could now defend himself； first at Black river itself； and
after that at three difficult passes； of swamps； in his rear； all within ten
miles； on that side of the river； before he reached Kingstree； but on the
direct road to that place； on the west； there was but the one defile at the
river； besides the possibility of being overtaken before he reached it。 Here
then Marion determined to make a stand； and felled trees across the road
to impede the enemy。 On the morning after the retreat； Tarleton found
Marion's trail across the Woodyard； but went round it； and pursued； as he
says； 〃for seven hours； through swamps and defiles。〃 In fact he pursued
about twenty…five miles； when arriving at Ox swamp；** which was wide
and miry； and without a road to pass it； he desisted； saying to his men；
〃Come my boys！ let us go back； and we will soon find the game cock；
（meaning Sumter） but as for this dd ~old fox~； the devil himself could
not catch him。〃 After this； the two generals were thus characterized。 It is
amusing to read Tarleton's pompous account of this pursuit。 He insinuates
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that Marion's sole view was to save himself； as Tarleton stopped ten or
twelve miles short of Benbow's； he might not have heard of the
preparations made there to receive him。 For the same distance Marion had
been skirting the south branch of Black river； and could at any time； in a
few minutes； have plunged into it； and no regular body of cavalry could
have followed him。 Had Tarleton proceeded with his jaded horses to
Benbow's； he would have exposed his force to such sharp shooting as he
had not yet experienced； and that in a place where he could not have acted
either with his artillery or cavalry。
* Darkness visible。 ** This Ox swamp is twenty…three miles above
Kingstree； another mentioned hereafter； is thirteen miles below。
On this expedition； Tarleton burnt the house； out houses； corn and
fodder； and a great part of the cattle； hogs and poultry； of the estate of Gen。
Richardson。 The general had been active with the Americans； but was now
dead； and the British leader； in civilized times； made his widow and
children suffer for the deeds of the husband and parent； after the manner of
the East； and coast of Barbary。 What added to the cruel nature of the act；
was that he had first dined in the house； and helped himself to the
abundant good cheer it afforded。 But we have seen before the manner in
which he requited hospitality。 It was generally observed of Tarleton and
his corps； that they not only exercised more acts of cruelty than any one in
the British army； but also carried further the spirit of depredation。
The wise policy of Gen。 Marion had hitherto been to keep his own
party； as yet but small； constantly in motion； and thus to multiply it； in the
view of the enemy； and immediately to strike at all other parties preparing
to join them。 Had parties from the country been suffered to incorporate
with the British； and to unite in their principles and views； the sense of a
dereliction of duty； and the punishment expected to await it； as well as the
pride of opinion； usually attending a new conversion； might have kept
them firm in their apostacy。 Of a truth； Gen。 Marion made many converts
to the cause of his country。
Many from inclination and principle felt a strong desire to join him；
and again to reconcile themselves to the cause they had at first adopted
and deserted with the utmost reluctance； and became confirmed in their
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Life of Marion。
views； by his apparent abilities and successes； others had felt the
suddenness and unexpected severity of his midnight blows； and thought
the step of uniting with him would be the most prudent or politic。 From
the operation of both sentiments； the people of that tract of country； on a
line； stretching from Camden acro
