use, and Granby on the Congaree.
Dorchester and Orangeburgh, on the road both to Ninety-Six and
Granby, were fortified as posts of rest and deposit, on the line of
communication; as was Monk's Corner, or Biggin Church, and some other
small posts on that to Camden. These posts were all judiciously chosen,
both for arming the country and obtaining subsistence.*

* Johnson's Greene, vol. 1.--

Penetrating between these posts, and snatching their prey, or smiting
the enemy's detachments, under the very jaws of their cannon, our
partisans succeeded in embodying public opinion, through the very sense
of shame, against their enemies. The courage of the Whigs was ennobled,
and their timidity rebuked, when they beheld such a daring spirit, and
one so crowned by frequent successes, in such petty numbers. The 'esprit
de corps', which these successes, and this spirit, awakened in the
brigade of Marion, necessarily imparted itself to the region of country
in which he operated; and the admiration which he inspired in the
friendly, and the fear which he taught to the adverse, uniting in their
effects, brought equally the faithful and the doubtful to his ranks.
From the moment that he eluded the arts, and baffled the pursuit of
Tarleton, the people of that tract of country, on a line stretching
from Camden, across, to the mouth of Black Creek on the Pedee, including
generally both banks of the Wateree, Santee and Pedee, were now
(excepting Harrison's party on Lynch's Creek) either ready, or preparing
to join him. Under these auspices, with his brigade increasing, Marion
began to prepare for new enterprises.

The British post at Georgetown was one of considerable strength and
importance. It was of special importance to Marion. From this place he
procured, or expected to procure, his supplies of salt, clothing, and
ammunition. Of these commodities he was now grievously in want. To
surprise Georgetown became as desirable as it was difficult. Marion
determined to attempt it. It was only by a surprise that he could
hope to be successful, and he made his plans accordingly. They were
unfortunate, and the event was particularly and personally distressing
to himself. To expedite his schemes, he crossed Black river, at a
retired place, called Potato Ferry, and proceeded by the "Gap-way"
towards the object of his aim. Three miles from the town there is an
inland swamp, called "White's Bay", which, discharging itself by two
mouths, the one