he
most romantic history. It shows a power, on the part of the former, such
as we ascribe to the winding of the magic horn of Astolfo, which few
commanders of militia have ever had the skill to produce. Evidently, the
personal and patriotic influences were very equally strong, to occasion
such prompt fidelity, in his case, on the part of his followers.

* The British officers betrayed a singular reluctance to
accord to the Americans their military titles. The reader
will recollect the letter of General Gage to MR. Washington,
which the latter very properly refused to receive. The very
attempt here made to sneer away the official, adds to the
personal importance of the individual; and we yield to plain
Mr. Marion, with his ragged followers, who, untitled, could
give such annoyance to His Majesty's officers, a degree of
respect which his title might not otherwise have commanded.

** Tarleton's Campaigns, 4to ed. p. 171.--

Chapter 9.

Marion retreats before a superior Force--Defeats the
Tories at Black Mingo--Surprises and disperses the Force
of Colonel Tynes at Tarcote--Is pursued by Tarleton.

The solicitude manifested by the British commander in the South to get
Marion from his path, soon set the legion of Tarleton, and a strong
force under Major Wemyss, in motion for his retreats. The progress
of Tarleton was somewhat delayed, and his cooperation with Wemyss
prevented. The latter pushed his advance with equal spirit and address.
Marion had with him but one hundred and fifty men, when he heard of
the approach of his enemies. His force, it must be remembered, was of a
peculiar kind, and was constantly fluctuating. His men had cares other
than those of their country's liberties. Young and tender families were
to be provided for and guarded in the thickets where they found shelter.
These were often threatened in the absence of their protectors by
marauding bands of Tories, who watched the moment of the departure of
the Whigs, to rise upon the weak, and rob and harass the unprotected.
The citizen soldiery were thus doubly employed, and had cares to endure,
and duties to perform, from which regular troops are usually exempt, and
for which regular officers seldom make allowance. The good judgment
of Marion, taking these necessities into consideration, exercised that
patience with the militia which secured their fidelity. When he found
this or that