Swamp Fox Ocean Resort

The Swamp Fox Story

The Swamp Fox Ocean Resort (now Compass Cove Resort) was named after the daring General Francis Marion, whose exploits during the Revolutionary War caused the British General Banastre Tarleton to nickname him "the Swamp Fox." He was the original guerilla warrior, using decoys and ambushes to disrupt enemy communications, capture supplies, and free prisoners. He is also credited in the lineage of the United States Army Rangers.

The Swamp Fox was born in Georgetown, South Carolina. His parents were both first-generation Carolinians. Peter Horry, who served under Marion in the American Revolution, joked, "I have it from good authority, that this great soldier, at his birth, was not larger than a New England lobster, and might easily enough have been put into a quart pot."

He became a sailor at 15, and on his first voyage a whale hit his boat, it sank and two crewmen died. That was enough sailing for Marion.

Just before his 25th birthday, Marion began in the military. Francis and his brother Gabriel were recruited in 1757 by Captain John Postell for the French and Indian War to drive the Cherokee away from the border. In 1761 he again fought Cherokee and sadly observed, "When we came, according to orders, to cut down the fields of corn, I could scarcely refrain from tears."

After his father died, Marion moved to St. John's, South Carolina and settled at a place called Pond Bluff, about four miles from Eutaw, on the Santee River. He hunted and farmed for 14 years. After serving a a South Carolina congress member, he was commissioned as a captain and recruited patriots to fight against the British. Promoted to the rank of major in 1776, he helped defend the Charleston harbor and in nine months became a lieutenant colonel.

In 1780, Marion's general surrendered to the British, but the Swamp Fox slipped into the swamps, and under orders he began to burn British boats and harass the enemy. He was appointed brigadier general in 1781. He interrupted supply lines and completely eluded the British. Colonel Banastre Tarleton said, "As for this d****d old fox, the devil himself could not catch him."

After the war, Swamp Fox Francis Marion served in the South Carolina Senate from 1782 to 1790. He passed away on his estate in Berkley County February 27, 1795.