South Carolina – Revolutionary War Hero – General Francis Marion

General Brigadier Francis Marion, known as the "Swamp Fox," was one of the fathers of modern guerilla warfare. The Mel Gibson film, The Patriot, was influenced by Marion's military exploits. Some Brits still feel pangs of resentment from Marion's guerilla styling. British author Neil Norman, writing in The Evening Standard, called Marion "a thoroughly unpleasant dude who was, basically, a terrorist."

A Georgetown native, Marion was famous for his uncanny ability to elude and outsmart British forces. He typically led groups of irregular troops who were troops who fought without pay, supplied their own arms and horses, and in many cases, even their own food. Many of their supplies were captured from British or Loyalist armies.

Biography of Francis Marion, "The Swamp Fox"

• Marion's birthplace, Goatfield (Brick House) Plantation
• About Francis Marion: The Patriot, The Swampfox - quick overview provided by Francis Marion University
  
• Brigadier General Francis Marion: The Swamp Fox - Detailed biography
  
• The Swamp Fox - Smithsonian.com article from July 01, 2007
  
• Marion, The Life of Gen. Francis Marion - "historically based" biography, 32 chapters
  
• Slave inventory of the estate of Francis Marion - 1826
  
• Additional info - includes portrait, murals, map, list of significant events, and battle information
  

Francis Marion's Story in Pictures

• Portrait of Francis Marion wielding sword in battle - great!
• Swamp Fox Murals Trail - beautiful life-sized murals in Clarendon County
• Francis Marion and the Legend of the Swamp Fox - exquisite 60-page book for children
  
• Portrait - SC General Assembly
  
• Grave - Berkeley County
  

Video Recollections about Francis Marion

• Francis Marion Day Presentation - historian Dr. Karen MacNutt discusses the life and times of Francis Marion
  
• Brief History of General Francis Marion - by retired Francis Marion University professor Joe Stukes - includes pictures and how Francis Marion was given the nickname "Swamp Fox"
  
• The Horse of General Francis Marion - retired Francis Marion University professor Joe Stukes tells the tale of how Marion got his horse Ball
  

Francis Marion Celebrations & Events

• General Francis Marion Revolutionary War Living History Encampment - celebrate General Francis Marion Memorial Day, February 27th
  
• Annual Francis Marion Symposium

SC Places Named for Francis Marion

• Francis Marion University
• Francis Marion National Forest
  – History of the Francis Marion National Forest
  – Swamp Fox National Recreational Trail
• City of Marion
• Marion County
• Lake Marion