Commemorate Revolutionary War Hero Feb. 27

Press Release, General Marion's Brigade Chapter

It's been 120 years since a granite monument was placed on Gen. Francis Marion's grave replacing the broken box tomb in Pineville. In 1893 over one thousand people attended the special service including civilians, military regiments and clergy.

Now, more than a century later, General Marion's Brigade Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution will conduct a memorial service for Gen. Francis Marion on 11 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 27, at his Tomb. The public is invited. 

Marion's Tomb is located off Highway 45, west of St. Stephen and near Pineville. The guest speaker will be S.C. Department of Parks Dan Bell and the guest singer will be John Mark McQuown. The Washington Light Infantry will serve as Color Guard. Also, two restored SC Historical Markers will be unveiled by Historian Keith Gourdin.

After the surrender of Charleston in May 1780, Marion was the highest ranking Continental Officer serving in South Carolina. He formed a militia that stood in the way of the British victory in the Southern Colonies by disrupting British supply lines and skirmishing with British troops at every opportunity. Marion's method of fighting earns him the honor of being the Father of the Army Rangers.

He was 48 years old when Governor Rutledge promoted him to Brigadier General in December 1780. He and his militia fought under harsh circumstances, marching long distances through swampy terrain. Lt. Col. Banastre Tarleton nicknamed him the "Swamp Fox" after giving up chasing him in Ox Swamp (present day Manning, SC.) Marion earned the respect of his men and the citizens of SC by his fair treatment of all, even British prisoners. After the war he sponsored bills in the SC Legislature that fostered benevolent treatment of Loyalists.

On Feb. 27, 1795 he died at the age of 63, his health was poor due to the years of serving America under harsh conditions. Many credit Marion with keeping the American Revolution alive while Washington recovered his forces in the North. We as Americans need to know the contributions of South Carolinians likeFrancis Marion to the cause of Freedom. Many cities, counties, a lake, a forest and a university have the name of Marion.

For more information about the Francis Marion Memorial Service, please contact GeneralMarionsBrigade@gmail.com.