ST. STEPHEN, S.C.–In a few days, General Marion’s Brigade Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution will conduct the annual memorial service for General Francis Marion on Feb. 27th Thursday at 11 AM at Marion’s Tomb. The public is invited to attend.
Marion’s Tomb is located off Hwy. 45 west of Pineville and St. Stephen, SC. Jean Guerry and John Wiggins will be guest speakers and John Mark McQuown will be the guest singer. The Washington Light Infantry will serve as Color Guard. Three DAR chapters will lay wreaths at Marion’s Tomb.
After the surrender of Charleston in May 1780, Marion was the highest ranking Continental Officer serving in South Carolina. He formed a militia that stood in the way of the British victory in the Southern Colonies by disrupting British supply lines and skirmishing with British troops at every opportunity. Marion’s method of fighting earns him the honor of being the Father of the Army Rangers.
He was 48-years-old when Gov. John Rutledge promoted him to Brigadier General in December 1780. He and his militia fought under harsh circumstances, riding long distances through swampy terrain. Lt. Col. Banastre Tarleton nicknamed him the “Swamp Fox” after giving up a 26 mile chase in Ox Swamp near present day Manning, SC. Marion earned the respect of his men and the citizens of SC by his fair treatment of all, even British prisoners. After the war he sponsored bills in the SC Legislature that fostered benevolent treatment of Loyalists.
On Feb. 27, 1795 he died at the age of 63 at his home at Pond’s Bluff. His health was poor due to the years of serving America under harsh conditions. Many credit Marion with keeping the American Revolution alive while Washington recovered his forces in the North. We, as Americans, need to know the contributions of South Carolinians like Francis Marion to the cause of Freedom. It is no whim that many cities, counties, and a university have the name of Marion.
Remember that every Feb. 27th is General Francis Marion Memorial Day as proclaimed by the state of South Carolina on May 7, 2007.
For more information about the Francis Marion Memorial Service, please contact [email protected] .
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