Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 38, Number 38, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 January 1906 — MARION’S BRIGADE [ARTICLE]

MARION’S BRIGADE

By MAJOR J. H. ROBINSON

f CHAPTER I. Charleston taut fallen, and British partisan officers were (levastatin* Soqth Carolina with fife aud sword, .it was a season when might Veeijunl to hare achieved a victory over right. The anost hopeful of the patriots feegan to despond ' and ,to feel .Utah their ions®. waa jgftfforever. Toryism prevailed unchecked. Peaceable citizens were slain without mercy, and their substance wasted: South Carolina was literally trodden under foot by a remorieleas foe. and the 'iarw®t' upon htlrniug houses and houseless fugitives. Many accepted royal protection, and ns tunny rejected it with ineflfabld scorn. , " 'TKotigfi~daSk "auHtdaSauraglujjf' thc p<E riod, opposition had not, yet ceased; a few daring souls still contended for lib**rtf and justice. -' .At Williamsburg a ■mall party of horsemen was collected. No two were dressed alike, if we except the covering for""the head, each wearing • leathern cap, more substantial than ornamental. A few Lad rifles; some hud fowling pieces; others had rude but hoary sabers fashioned- by the skill of the neighboring blacksmith; and there were others wtb were armed with ■Words of the ordinary bind. However shabby their apparel, and however indifferently they were armed. It was very certain that they weye without exception well mounted, and men of high and stern .determination: TJ lfs little band of horsemen was commanded hy Francis Marion —a. man \vltose_military career proved sut-eossruf _ fliul brilliant. They fell into line. A coimnanding figure rede forward and addressed men. It was Col. Horry, tlio. Friend and able supporter of Gen. Marion. ; “Friends. neighbors and fellow soldiers." saul the colonel. "I have a proposition to make —that foil hereafter bcdistinguished as a body of men by the same of Marion’s Brigade. As many ns ar« in favor of this proposition will ride three paces to the front.” Without hesitation every horseman moved to the front, and the line remained unbroken. “Here come? the general,” said Ben Rowan, a man famous for bis personal strength and daring.

“He is rather small in stature,” remarked a recruit, who had joined the brigade that morning. “He is quite large enough to unite in his own person great generalship, undaunted courage and indomitable perseverance,” relied ,a yduqg man whose name was Fovstall. “He’s all of that," added Rowan, approvingly: “and he rides one of the beat horses in the that Tarleton‘B cavalry can’t keep in eight of him.” “So far ns I am able to judge in the premises we axe all pretty well mounted," said Forstall, glancing at bis companions with evident pride. v So we are." rejoined Ben Rowan; “end so we ought to be. for the brunt of the battle is coming upon us. We ere almost alone in the field.” “Verily, I love not the sound of the trumpet, and the lifting up of the spear!” exclaimed Job Dawson, an athletic Quaker.on the right'of Rowan. “Then what are you here for?" asked the latter, contemptuously. “For one 1 came here to fight, and I’ll follow that lion-hearted Marion as long as I can sit on a horse and wield any kind of e weapon.” *T'came hither, friend Rowan.” replied Dawson, quietly, wanton cruelty and the shedding of blood. Verily. jnv R onl hateth the neighing of steeds and the preparations of war.” “You’d better go home, then,” answered Rowan, gruffly.

Francis Marion, mounted upon his reaowned horse, rode leisurely to the, front of the brigade, nnd every eye was fixed earnestly upon hiuu_ ( "Men and soldiers: I hare been sent here by Gen. Gates to be your leader. I shall endeavor to discharge my duty: but if I fail it will be because I lack ability and address, and not because I do not love my country as dearly as an.t ether man. 1 have heard that you are ell tried and true; and I rejoice that it is eo. for it sfiall be my highest ambition to lead” such against our haughty enemies. 1 have adopted for niy motto, •Liberty or Death.’ and 1 solemnly assure you that I mean to abide by it. It ie my firm and unalterable purpose never to abandon the field ho long as there is cue true soldier in South Carolina to go with me to battle. Our inere ising hourly, and if you are brave, resolute and prudent, the whole omr try will hear of jour .achievements. Your sweethearts shall blush with pleasure when they hear your names spoken: your wives will weep pearly tears bf j«#.v end gratitude*, and your child rets iu ufter years will etrirc to emulate your noble deeds. I feci within me an assurance that this brigade will yet become the terror of British hirelings, and a word to make the Tory tremble while the bayonets of Cornwallis glctuu over hia dastardly head. We will surprise •ur foes by sudden sallies; we Will awe them with the exploits of men resolved to conquer or die: we will appear to them iu unexpected places; we wjU cut •ff communication with their different military posts; we will, iu short, harass them at all times, until they can feel no sense of security on the soil of South Carolina." The general ceased, and the brigade eh cored him to the echo. “That's what 1 call the right kiud of talkT* exclaimed Lien, enthusiastically. “It may suit thee, friend Benjamin,” aeptied Job Dawson, calmly. ttowan looked disdainfully at the Qeeker, but did not deigu to Veply. “The general wishea to ace you,” said C*L Horry, la a low voice to Dawaon. "Peilow me." Job Dawson obeyed the summons, and to a law minutes his gigantic figure was gpea tOPjfihg np beside the smaller per-" sen of the brigadier. ' “I have been informed by one of my ■ea,” said Marion, "that you can tell me something about the movements of Major Gainey, the Tory leader, who has JBUICk 0( Uktia" UK T. v; a aft *■ ***

“As lliou soe-t, friend Francis. I be* —a -people who peace, and abhor contention. Verily, I tan hots fight with, carnal, weu(>om4-bnt this much 1 will say -—that pan of Belial, whom they call <l.iinoy. and' who lefllTeTh the]...disaffected 61 our countrymen to battle ami, vcxeih this nnfmppy land not a little, is now resting from the work of slaughter on the banks of the Pedee, nt a'"plajhe called Britton’s lienee., friend ii’ranyis. I would advise thee to keep out of the way of that fen of blood, lest he ''should fall .upon thee and. smite, thee with the edge of the sword.” “I thank you,” said the general, .with a 'siullS; - ■ --fei-—v-fo fe—“lt was my duty to do this, t.o prevent the effusion of - blood,” resumed Dawson. Marion did not reply immediately, but fixed his -penetrating eyes —searcliiqgly upon the singular personage before, him, “There- are til.en, friend Fram-ia,:” CdUtiuued Du.vson, “bad enough to fall upon this Major Gainey in the night lime and slay him, nWH those that are with him. without mercy, but I hope thou art a man of peace.” ’T-. .~.', v . “I fight to procure peace, friend Dawson.” returned the general': "and I shall certainly surprise Major Gainey to-night. His enormities are but too well known to me; lie has Filled to tin- brim the measure of his sins, and I will punish him if heaven will kindly ’cndowiny arm with -accustomed strength for a few hours longer. As you appear to be well acquainted with the localities referred to, you must be my guide to the spot.” ; “Yon forget, friend Francis, that ray conscience protests against such proceedings," replied Dawson. "Your conscience is wrongly educated,” answered the general, “and I must use my authority/* “Verily, thou hast the power, and I cannot resist tliee,” returned Job. “But if I go up with thee to battle, I can only look on and.ace the slaughter. “Ro -as you please about fighting; all I require is that you conduct the to the camp of Major Gainey by Jhe shortest route. When there you shall be at liberty to fight, or run away, just which your conscience may incline to dictate. I observe that you are not armed, Mr. Dawson. I advise -you to wear some kind of a weapon to secure your own safety.” “If it is thy command, I must even obey,” returned Job. The general and Job Dawson rode slowly back toward the encampment. Suddenly Marion drew tip his horse and asked abruptly; "Is there a woman iu this case, Mr. Dawson?”

The young Quaker’s calm and handsome face was instantly suffused with a deep red. “There is a certain damsel,” J*c answered, “who is, indeed, somewhat interested in these matters.” "And you are, doubtless, judging from your confusion, interested in the damsel r*' “I like not thy trade,” -said Dawson .evasively, „ .. A .... ... Gen. Marion motioned to Rowan and he approached. “I do not wish Mr, Dawson to leave the camp,” he said. “I confide him to your care until night. See .that lie has good treatment and a weapon if he desires oue.” "You don’t strike me ns being just the right kind of a chap for these parts,” remarked Ben. “Why not, friend Benjamin?” asked Job, in- those peculiarly gentle tones which were iu such strange contrast with the excited voices that arose on every side. “Because there is no fight in you!” retorted Rowan, energetically. “All men are not alike,” way the patient reply. •‘Friend Benjamin, your leader commanded me to wear a weapon, but 1 ♦would fain be excused.” "But you can’t be excused!” exclaimed Ben, glad of this opportunity to do violence to Dawson's feelings. "If the general has said so, you must come to it. aud there’s no use in hanging back." “I cannot use a sword, friend Benjamin; but I have no power to resist. Do with me as seemeth good unto thee.” Full of the idea of having a little innocent sport at the expense of the unostentatious and honest Job Dawson, Ren Rowan conducted him to a shop not far from the camp, where two or three stout men were engaged in fashiouiug sabers for the brigade. Swords were at first wautlug, but they stripped all the sawmills of the neighborhood, aud the saws were converted by, rude blacksmiths into sabers for the men. “You can now select a weapon,” said Rowan, pointing to several rudely made sabers. "If 1 must indeed be armed, gotrd Benjamin, I will have sttch an implement of warfare as shall best suit my fancy. These are not heavy enough. I would have one six inches longer, nnd several pounds heavier." “T!nit’s rather rich!” exclaimed Rowan. “I suppose a common broomstick would answer just as well for all practical purposes?” . “I dare say thou art right; but I will, if it please all parties, hare the weapon that those honest men are now smiting upon the anvil.” “Shall we cut off the end, or will you have it the whole length?" asked one of the workmen, with a smile. “Verily, friend Vulcan, I will not have it any shorter. Fashion it according to thy best skill, and I will wear St, in obedience to the commands of Francis, the,leader of this wsrlike people.” The saber was made according to the instructions of Dawson, and occasioned no little merriment; for it was of such weight and length that it seemed to rival the TSmous weapon used by Wallace himself when he led the plaided warriors W tattle. Wherever ISV’ Quaker appeared with the ponderous “utensil of war,” aa be quietly styled it, there was sure to be an outburst of ckliculous remarks, for Ben Rowan did'aot fail to call attention to hia patient and uncom plaining friend. 1

But one thing conn! norm* overtook eg by .the, most facetiati* and fdn-ioVing of the dragoons; and? that was that the figure 'of Job Dawson was a fine model; of iinanly beauty and strength. Larger:than any man in the brigade, of a pledsing countenance.-aud still y^>ini jg. despite Str the disadvantages Under which be labored in other respects. Lis per-oua! nppMrTtnCe excited admiration and some efivy. ITc moved about among the men, apparently unobnsgious.J.hat he was a 1 subject of ridicule. When addressed, bis answers, weiemlild. and yet characterized 1 " by quiet dignity, and his calm voice never for as moment-., lost 'its. tohes of strong gentleness. Although the monstrops weapon hung at hwjilide, uo warlike fires gleamed from hw- eyes; they were as soft .as a woman’s iu their expression, and [W. wondrods g erenity seemed written in the singular repose of every feature. I

CHAPTER 11. There was one -in Marion's brigade who was deeply interested in the contemplated movement against Major Gainey. The individual referred to was ■Fra n k Borstali: His- inmic (Tim rm thr Pedee river, not far from Britton's Neck; consequently his nearest-and dearoat friends were there—his parents nnd his fair and gentle 'sister Rose. Nor was this all; Ruth Strickland, a young and interesting maiden,Who had awakened in his bosom the tenderest sentiments of friendship, resided in that vi- . Cipltjb’ giVing it, by her presence, an additional charm. Mr. Strickland, Ruth’s father, was at that tiijie in the' Rrmy of Gen. (Grates, marching toward Camden. Major Gailiey, the notorious Tory leader, had heard of the rare beauty and accomplishments of Ruth/nnd naturally felt a desire to see her; but-the admiration was all on his side, for she had no sympathy witfi his cause, and shrank with horror from the rehearsal of his deeds. Although they had met only by accident, the rnajgr had been very free in the expression of bis admiration, and evidently desired to cultivate her. acquaintance; but Ruth treated him. with such coldness Jliat he quickly perceived he had little or nothing to hope in that direction. lie embraced various opportunities that chance threw in his way to endeavor to convince her of the justness of his cause; also to excite her fears, and to awe her into something like a reverence for. himself and his authority. to .Frank Forstall, and he had hoped, with Ruth, that lier'persecutions would cease after her return home. Ilis anxiety may in some measure be imagined when he heard that Gainey and his ruf-' fianly followers were encamped at Britton's Neck. As young Forstall reflected upon this subject, his fears increased, and he waited with obvious impatience for the time to come wheu the brigade should be put in motion. H.e had been compelled to take the field by the stern necessity of the times. Ilis innate love of truth and justice had induced him to side witli the patriots, and he had joined Marion’s brigade only the day before. While the dragoons under Marion were waiting so anxiously for the approach of night. Major Gainey and his men were making themselves quite at home at Britton’s Neck. They were slaughtering the choicest beeves that they could find, without taking the trouble to consult owners; they plundered ■ granaries, they entered peaceful dwellings, -the only Inmates of which were helpless women, and robbed them of the!r plate, money and watches; and, when these were not to be obtained, contented themselves by depriving them of their personal ornaments, such as rings, chains and bracelets. Transactions of tliis kind were not limited, however,, to rhat -pavticular locality; they were of common"occurrence all over th country, and excited general indignation among the injured inhabitants. Of all the enemies with whom the patriots had to contend, none were so eminently distinguished for cruelty and meanness as the Tories. -To despoil and slay their Whig neighbors appeared to them a most agreeable employment; consequently there existed between the two parties Teelings of animosity the most implacable. The royal cause being now in the ascendant in South Carolina, the numerous Tory bands that were sweeping through the country loved to show their power iu acts of which no honorable foe would have been guilty. Major Gainey reveled in plenty nt Britton’s Neck, at the expense of the inhabitants. lie triumphed over old men and defenseless women and children, nnd he meant that they should feel that he could have everything as he wished. (To be continued.)