e desired
results. It drove the indignant into the field--it shamed the unwilling
into decision--it spurred on the inert and inactive to exertion, and
armed the doubtful and the timid with resolution. It sent hundreds,
whom nothing had moved before, into the ranks of Marion and Sumter. The
moment of defeat and greatest despondency--the dark before the dawn--was
that when the people of the country were preparing to display the most
animating signs of life. The very fact that the force of Marion was so
insignificant, was something in favor of that courage and patriotism,
that confidence in his own resources and his men, which, defying all the
inequalities of force, could move him to traverse the very paths of the
conqueror, and pluck his prisoners from his very grasp. The audacity
and skill of Marion, exhibited in numerous small achievements of which
history furnishes no particulars, extorted a reluctant confession from
the enemy, whose unwilling language will suffice for our own. Tarleton
writes: "MR. Marion,* by his zeal and abilities, showed himself capable
of the trust committed to his charge. He collected his adherents at
the shortest notice, and, after making excursions into the friendly
districts, or threatening the communications, to avoid pursuit he
disbanded his followers. The alarms occasioned by these insurrections,
frequently retarded supplies on their way to the army; and a late
report of Marion's strength delayed the junction of the recruits who had
arrived from New York for the corps in the country." The 64th Regiment
of Infantry was ordered to Nelson's Ferry from Charleston, and
directions were given to Lieut. Col. Tarleton to pass the Wateree to awe
the insurgents.** Cornwallis writes to Tarleton: "I most sincerely hope
that you will get at MR. Marion." In short, to use the further language
of the British Colonel, Marion completely overran the lower districts.
He cut off supplies from the army, broke up the Tories, destroyed
recruiting parties, intercepted and interrupted communications, and,
darting to and fro between the British posts, which he had not the power
to overcome, showed that nothing but that power was necessary to enable
him to challenge with them the possession of the soil. That he should
disband his men at one moment, and be able by a word to bring them
together when they were again wanted, proves a singular alliance between
the chieftain and his followers, which is characteristic only of t