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Marion (FRANCIS an American military)

FRANCIS, an American military officer; born near Georgetown, S. C., in 1732. His education was very limited, and he was brought up as a farmer. At the outbreak of the Revolutionary War, in 1775, he was elected to ८ GENERAL FRANCIS MARION Congress, but shortly afterward obtained the command of a company in the regiment of Col. William Moultrie, taking a conspicuous part in the capture of Fort Johnson and in the defense of the forts at Dorchester and Sullivan's Island. In 1777 he was dispatched with 600 men to the defense of Georgia, where he served till that State was overrun by the British.

During the time that elapsed after the ill-advised attack of the American forces on Savannah, and the subsequent Vol. VI-Cyc-I MARIPOSA GROVE capture of Charleston, S. C., by the British, Marion, now an invalid, owing to the accidental breaking of a leg, was conveyed from place to avoid capture. But when he grew able for service, he gathered a band of young patriots about him, and formed that brigade which afterward became famous for its exploits. He disbanded his brigade in 1782. He died in Pond Bluff, S. C., Feb. 27, 1795.