vincial troops augmented and disciplined,
and all means within the power of the Colony were put in requisition to
prepare it for defence. Among other preparations, a military post was
established at the town of Dorchester, and strongly fortified. This
post was nearly at the head of navigation, on Ashley river, about twenty
miles from Charleston. Though now utterly desolate, Dorchester
was, prior to the Revolution, a town of considerable population and
importance. Its abandonment may be ascribed to the Revolution, during
which it was maintained as a military post by the Americans or
British. To this place the public stores and records were in great part
transferred from Charleston, as to a place of safe-keeping. The command
was given to Marion. While in this command we do not find the occurrence
of any events of importance. A couple of his original letters, dated
from this post, lie before us. They refer only to ordinary events, but
contain some expressions which denote the ardency of his patriotism,
and the disappointments to which it was not unfrequently subjected in
consequence of the apathy of others. Referring to the reluctance shown
by many, of whom the utmost patriotism was expected, to rally around the
flag of the country, he exclaims--in a partial perversion of Scripture
language, but without irreverence, "Tell this not in the streets of
Charleston," &c.

From this post Marion was removed to Charleston, very probably at his
own solicitation. Events were ripening in that quarter, of a nature
calculated to give becoming employment to a mind always active, and
desiring nothing more than to serve his country. From Charleston, he was
dispatched to Fort Johnson, where he was busily employed in completing
the defences of that place. Weems preserves an anecdote of him, while in
command of this fort, in January, 1776, which pleasantly describes the
quiet and not unamiable sort of humor in which Marion was frequently
said to indulge. While exceedingly busy in his preparations for defence,
there came to him a thoughtless young officer, who loved the cockpit
much better than consisted entirely with his duties. Christmas and New
Year's Holidays were famous at that early period, for the exercise of
this cruel sport in some parts of Carolina. To obtain leave of absence,
however, on any holiday pretence, the young officer very well knew
was impossible. Approaching his Commander with a lie in his mouth, he
obtained the desired p