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Article: Outfoxing the British: Francis "Swamp Fox" Marion used ingenuity and unorthodox tactics to play a significant role in the War for Independence. (History--Struggle for Freedom).
- Article from:
- The New American
- Article date:
- July 14, 2003
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2003 American Opinion Publishing, Inc. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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General Francis Marion's heart must have sunk as he halted his men at the edge of the pine barrens around Fort Watson, South Carolina, on April 16, 1781. Situated on a 30- to 40-foot-high ancient Santee Indian mound, the fort was surrounded by a wide expanse of cleared ground. Halfway up the hill lay three rows of abatis, an obstacle composed of felled trees stripped of their leaves and smaller branches with remaining branches sharpened into points.
Attacking such a fortress seemed impossible with his small brigade, which included a contingent of Colonel Henry "Light Horse Harry" Lee's infantry. He and Lee had about 80 men altogether, while the British had 120. ...