The YM and YW Learned How The Revolutionary War Was Fought In SC

Making fire with flint from his flint pouch.

Frank Holloway, Sister Wakefield's brother, and his wife Brenda presented a Revolutionary War living history to Sumter Ward's Young Men and Young Women on Wednesday March 6, 2013. He took on the role of one of General Francis Marion's men. Known as The Swamp Fox, Marion had great success as he prevented General Cornwallis from leaving Charleston after the British captured the city.

 

There were 69 Revolutionary War battles fought in SC. New York
was second with 11.  Frank was proud to state that the War was
won in SC. When Cornwallis made his way back north, he was already defeated.
This made General Washington's job easier.



Explaining that The Swamp Fox ran through the swamps all around
the Sumter, Lee, and Clarendon county areas including the swamp
next door to the church building.

Frank told how just 30 miles away at Ft. Watson, Marion and his
men were able to capture the fort on the Santee River by builing a
tower during the night. The next morning the troops in the fort were
looking up at men and rifles pointing down from the tower into the fort.
The white flag was raised over the fort.




Boys as young as 12 or 13 joined the militia...blacks free and slaves
as well as whites joined the fight. Marion usually had  20 to 70 men
at a time fighting with him.

Getting a young man ready to leave home and go to war.

Marion's men had learned fighting skills from the Native
Americans.

Swamp Fox! Swamp Fox!
Tail on his hat.
Nobody knows where 'da Swamp Fox at.
Swamp Fox! Swamp Fox!
Hiding in the glen,
He runs away to fight again.



We got lead and we got powder
We don't fight with an empty gun
Only makes us shout the louder
We are men of Marion.

If a young man had a rifle, it was probably given to him by his
father before leaving home.

All geared up and ready for battle.