were the last of that hardy band of ninety-six which had marched with Morgan to Boston to join Washington, nearly thirty years before. This was their last military farewell!

Greene's

98. The Battle of Guilford Court House. General Greene won a great victory by retreating. He and his "vicarmy were still among friends, and his army was growing. tory" Cornwallis was hundreds of miles from his supplies and from reënforcements. After a few weeks, Greene crossed back into North Carolina and fiercely attacked Cornwallis at Guilford Court House, and killed or wounded one fourth of his army.

Cornwallis claimed the victory, but instead of attacking Greene he marched his army rapidly to Wilmington, on the seacoast, and from there marched into Virginia, where Washington and Lafayette caught him in a trap at Yorktown.

the Brit

Greene turned back to South Carolina, where the British still held Charleston and a few other towns. The Greene British lost so many men at Hobkirks Hill and at Eutaw drives Springs, their last important battles in the South, that ish to they were compelled to retreat to Charleston, where Charlesthey were when the news from Yorktown put an end to ton serious fighting.

General Greene's work as a soldier was done. Besides the medal presented to him by Congress for the battle of Congress, Eutaw Springs, South Carolina, as a token of affection, South gave him a large sum of money, and the state of Georgia Carolina, a beautiful plantation on the Savannah River, where Georgia he died in 1786. Greene's fame as a soldier of the honor Revolution stands next to that of Washington.

99. Francis Marion. Of all the brave men who

and

Greene

The

helped Greene win back the South, none was braver than General Francis Marion, whom the British named "Swamp the "Swamp Fox." Marion was born in the same year as Washington. He was of French parentage. He was so very small in size that people wondered how he could be so great a soldier.

Fox"

Marion's

"Brigade"

How they escaped

Marion's "Brigade," as his company was called, was made up of only a handful of men, usually less than one hundred. But they owned and rode the swiftest horses, carried their own guns, and wore their own swords, hammered out of old saws by country blacksmiths.

Marion and his men seldom were two successive nights in the same place. The night was their time for work. At sundown they swung into their saddles, and were soon riding for the enemy's camp. When near, they quietly surrounded the camp, took aim by the light of the fires, fired, and then rushed upon the frightened British or

Tories, and cut them down with their terrible broadswords.

Before daybreak, Marion and his men were hiding safely in some distant swamp or other safe place. If the British chased him too closely his men scattered in different directions, but always made their way to the common hiding place. In a few days they were ready to strike again.

Just after Cornwallis defeated Gates, near Camden,

Marion pounced upon a guard of British soldiers that One hunwas taking one hundred fifty prisoners to Charleston, dred fifty captured them all, and set

the prisoners free.

At last Cornwallis ordered Colonel Tarleton to get "Mr. Marion," as he called him. But before Tarleton could act Marion had fallen on a large party of Tories going to join Cornwallis, and killed, captured, or scat

ONE OF MARION'S MEN

prisoners set free

tered the entire party. Tarleton chased Marion for Tarleton twenty-five miles, only to find a large swamp through cannot which he could see neither road nor path. He gave up catch the chase in disgust, declaring he would pursue the Marion "Swamp Fox" no farther.

When Greene returned to the last campaign in South Carolina he found no better, bolder, or more vigilant Congress helpers than Marion and his "Brigade." Greene gave gives Marion high praise, and Congress gave him a vote of Marion a

thanks.

cause.

Marion was the true soldier of liberty. He cared nothing for display, only for the success of the patriot Marion thought of his men before himself. He was watchful, patient, and silent. He always struck his foes where and when they did not look for him. If they were too strong for him he vanished like smoke in a brisk breeze.

Marion was as true and gentle as he was bold and brave. He was never cruel to prisoners, and was greatly opposed

vote of thanks

After

the war

to punishing the Tories after the war was over.

Marion's

neighbors often elected him to high office and in many

"9
"MARION AND HIS MEN SURPRISE THE BRITISH

Dashing out of the swamp, Marion fell upon the guard of a band of patriot prisoners,
killed or captured the British, then set the prisoners to guarding the redcoats

other ways showed that they admired him, even if some did not agree with him.

During the war a British officer was invited to take dinner with Marion. What was his surprise to see only A potato sweet potatoes, baked in the ashes, set before him. After this feast the officer resigned, saying it was useless trying to defeat such soldiers.

feast

>

SUGGESTIONS INTENDED TO HELP THE PUPIL

The Leading Facts. 1. When Hale heard the news of the fight at Lexington he hastened to the front. 2. He went inside the British lines to learn their plans, was caught, and

5. In

executed. 3. Greene went to Boston, saw the British army, returned home and prepared his minutemen. 4. Washington sent him to the Carolinas after the defeat of Gates. the retreat of the American army after the battle of Cowpens, Greene turned and fought the battles of Guilford Court House, Hobkirks Hill, and Eutaw Springs. 6. Daniel Morgan with ninety-six men marched from the Shenandoah Valley to Boston to join Washington. 7. He won the battle of Cowpens against Colonel Tarleton. 8. Francis Marion's "Brigade" was made up of a small number, mounted on their own horses, and armed with their own guns and swords. 9. He was called the "Swamp Fox," because his men, attacking after nightfall, usually escaped to a swamp before daylight.

Study Questions. I. What was Hale doing when war broke out? 2. Why did he go within the British lines? 3. Where was Greene born, and why was he called "the learned blacksmith"? 4. How did he get his company of minutemen drilled? 5. What leaders did Greene have to help him? 6. Who was General Morgan? 7. What did Burgoyne say to Morgan? 8. Explain how Morgan prepared for the battle of Cowpens. 9. Picture the battle. IO. What anecdotes are told of Tarleton? II. Picture the scene at General Morgan's burial. 12. How did Greene win a victory by retreating? 13. What became of Cornwallis after the battle of Guilford Court House? 14. What other battles did Greene fight? 15. What proofs of affection did South Carolina and Georgia give? 16. What is the rank of Greene as a general? 17. How many were in Marion's "Brigade," how were they armed, and how did they fight? 18. Why did Tarleton call Marion the "Swamp Fox"? 19. Who praised General Marion? 20. Read The Song of Marion's Men, by William Cullen Bryant.

Suggested Readings. NATHAN HALE: Brown, Nathan Hale, the Martyr Spy.

NATHANAEL GREENE: Fiske, Irving's Washington, 430-456; Francis V. Greene, General Greene, 1-22, 94-105, 160–262; Frost, Heroes of the Revolution, 27-75.

DANIEL MORGAN: Blaisdell and Ball, Hero Stories from American History, 105-122; Brooks, Century Book of the American Revolution, 168-173; Frost, Heroes of the Revolution, 76–89. FRANCIS MARION: McCrady, South Carolina in the Revolution, 568-572, 577-652, 660-672, 748-752, 816–881.