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with the British； and to unite in their principles and views； the sense of a
dereliction of duty； and the punishment expected to await it； as well as the
pride of opinion； usually attending a new conversion； might have kept
them firm in their apostacy。 Of a truth； Gen。 Marion made many converts
to the cause of his country。
Many from inclination and principle felt a strong desire to join him；
and again to reconcile themselves to the cause they had at first adopted
and deserted with the utmost reluctance； and became confirmed in their
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Life of Marion。
views； by his apparent abilities and successes； others had felt the
suddenness and unexpected severity of his midnight blows； and thought
the step of uniting with him would be the most prudent or politic。 From
the operation of both sentiments； the people of that tract of country； on a
line； stretching from Camden across to the mouth of Black creek； on Pedee；
including generally both banks of the Wateree； Santee and Pedee； down to
the sea coast； were now （excepting Harrison's party on Lynch's creek）
either ready or preparing to join Gen。 Marion。 Many had already served
under him； within the lines of the British or tories； and submitted to all the
subsequent losses； which although the more to their credit； it is now much
to be regretted； that they cannot be particularized。 As to the people of old
Cheraw district； above the line designated； and especially on the Pedee；
they were at this time under their leader Gen。 Thomas； waging an
exterminating warfare with the tories on their borders； which still remains；
and it is more than probable ever will remain； unrecorded。
From Benbow's ferry； Gen。 Marion's first expedition was planned
against Georgetown。 The formidable enemy he had nearly encountered；
had not diminished his energies。 Georgetown； at that period； and
afterwards； was often the point to which his views were directed； since it
was there only he expected to take the supplies of ammunition； clothing
and salt； which he sorely wanted。 To expedite his scheme he crossed Black
river； at Potato ferry； a retired place； and proceeded on towards
Georgetown by the Gap way。 Three miles from the town there is a
swamp called White's bay；* which discharges itself by two mouths； the
one into Black river； the other into Sampit； thus insulating the town。 Over
the one； which empties itself into Sampit； there is a bridge； two miles from
Georgetown； called White's bridge。 Back of these swamps； Gen。 Marion
took his stand； near a place called the Camp； above the bridge。 Here he
despatched Col。 P。 Horry towards the Black river； and Capt。 John Melton
to the Sampit road； both leading into the town； to reconnoitre。 At White's
plantation； Horry fell in with Capt。 Merritt； who； with a few dragoons； was
escorting a couple of ladies from Georgetown； Merritt； after defending
himself bravely； escaped and gave the alarm。 Melton； unfortunately； came
in contact with a party of tories； under Barefield； much larger than his own；
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Life of Marion。
who were patroling near the bridge。 A few shots were exchanged； and
Melton was compelled to retreat。 But in this short affair Gabriel Marion；
nephew of the general； had his horse killed under him； and was taken
prisoner； but as soon as his name was announced； he was inhumanely shot。
The instrument of death was planted so near that it burnt his linen at the
breast。 He had been a lieutenant in the second regiment； was a young
gentleman of good education； of whom high expectations were formed；
and who was much beloved in the brigade。 As the general had no children；
he mourned over this nephew； as would a father over an only son； but he
soon recollected that he had an example to set； and shortly after publicly
expressed this consolation for himself that his nephew was a virtuous
young man that he had fallen in the cause of his country； and he would
mourn over him no more。 At the same time Mr。 Swaineau； a worthy man；
was killed。 Ere this； he had exercised the peaceful profession of a
schoolmaster； but finding there was no employment for him in these
perilous times； he had boldly shouldered the musket； and died a soldier。
But so prone are mankind to pass over the merits of this most useful class
of men； that had he not fallen by the side of a Marion； perhaps his memory
would have been forgotten。 About the same time； Mr。 Bentley； another
schoolmaster； was killed in action。 The suspension of all public education；
which led to the fate of such men； and the discontinuance of all religious
worship； hereafter more particularly noticed； are striking instances of the
calamitous state of the country during this period。
* Inland swamps in the lower and middle country are called ~Bays~；
from their natural growth； which is the ~bay~ tree； a name sufficiently
appropriate。
The British in Georgetown being now alarmed； Gen。 Marion's wise
scheme to surprise them was frustrated； and he retired to Snow's island。
This island became henceforth the most constant place of his encampment；
a secure retreat； a depot for his arms and ammunition； and； under similar
pressures； a second ~Athelney~； from which he might sally out upon the
modern； but no less ferocious plunderers than their ancestors； the Danes。
Snow's island； not quite so marshy as was the retreat of the great Alfred；
lies at the confluence of Lynch's creek and the Pedee。 On the east flows
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Life of Marion。
the Pedee； on the west Clark's creek； a navigable stream； issuing from
Lynch's creek above； and on the north lies Lynch's creek； nearly choked up
by rafts of logs； but wide and deep。 The island is high river swamp； and
large； of itself affording much provision and live stock； as did all the
Pedee river swamp at that day。 In places； there were open cultivated lands
on the island； but it was much covered by thick woods and cane brakes； it
was also near to Ganey's party of tories； and by crossin