life of francis marion(弗朗西丝·马利翁传)-第15章
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and the superannuated of the male； little consolation of that nature could
be afforded。 Even these were exposed to that kind of danger which might
be inflicted by brutality at home； and most of them had relatives in the
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field to whom they were bound by the most tender and sacred ties； who
were subjected to constant dangers； and for whose fate they were
unceasingly anxious。 There was no place for the pleasures of society； for
in the country these were too remote from a home that must constantly be
watched。 As a comfort in this situation females employed themselves in
domestic occupations； in which that of the distaff had a considerable share；
and all might indeed have exercised their private devotions； but that faint
picture of heaven； that sweet consolation which is derived from
associating with one's friends in public worship； was wholly denied them。
Most of the churches in towns and the country； were either burnt or made
depots for the stores of the enemy； some in fact were converted into
stables； and of the remainder； all in the country were closed。 In a
warfare of such atrocity there was little safety in any situation where
numbers were collected； and as we have seen that the tories； by their
murders； violated the sanctity of private dwellings； how then could it be
expected they would be awed by the holiness of a church？ In a camp；
where was no permanency and but little rest； there was no place for
chaplains；* and at home there was not security even for pious pastors；
consequently； as the most prudent course； they generally went into exile。
Among these one shall be mentioned； the Rev。 Dr。 Thomas Reese； of
Salem； on Black river。 It was in his congregation that the murders
perpetrated by Harrison and his followers first began； and three
respectable men of his flock had already fallen victims to civil rage。 Had
he gone about to administer comfort out of his own family； it would have
been termed sedition； and Dr。 Reese would have made himself a voluntary
martyr。 He took the wiser course of retiring with his family before the
storm； and under many privations； continued to preach。 In theology；
modern philosophy； and all the sciences connected with his profession he
was deeply read。 For classic literature； which it is so common for the
superficial to decry； he was a great advocate； and to evince his sincerity
retained his knowledge of the dead languages as long as he lived。 In his
discourses he was neither an extempore preacher； nor did he read。 He
wrote out his sermons correctly； and then committing them carefully to
memory； left the copy at home； and afterwards delivered them from the
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pulpit with all the energy of extemporary preaching； and so tenacious was
his memory that he was never known to faulter。 He wrote many excellent
sermons； all of which except two； preserved in the American Preacher； and
those not his best； are believed to be lost。 He also wrote an essay 〃on the
influence of religion in civil society〃； which； from Princeton college；
where he was educated； obtained for him the degree of Doctor of Divinity。
But like most American productions； it was soon neglected； and did not
pass into a second edition。 In contemplating the meek and unobtrusive
virtues of this pious man； we do not hesitate to say he was a pattern of
Christian charity； as nearly resembling his divine master as has been seen
in modern times。 The author knew him well for several years after the
peace of 1782； he was his friend and tutor； and he owes to Dr。 Reese the
highest obligations； and to his memory the most profound respect。
* Marion was often without a surgeon to dress his wounded； and if a
wound reached an artery the patient bled to death。
Chapter III。
CAMPAIGN OF 1781。
The year 1781 commenced under auspices more propitious than those
of the last year。 The British had exercised so much oppression and rapacity
over all those who would not join them； and so much insolence over those
who did； and were in the least suspected； that the people of South Carolina
found there was no alternative but between a state of downright vassalage
and warfare。 Most of the men of principle already had； or were prepared to
take up arms against the enemy； and in general the unprincipled only
remained with them in the expectation of plunder。 Their army too； being
divided into different cantonments over the country； while it extended their
oppression； exposed their weakness。 The history of all ages shows that a
country may be overrun with more facility than kept in a state of
subjection； and that a partisan warfare is the best that can be carried on
against an enemy of superior force and discipline。
During the present winter Lord Cornwallis formed a design of
conquering the upper counties of North Carolina； and marched by the way
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of Charlotte towards Salisbury； for that purpose。 This part of the country
was thickly covered with underwood； and settled by a hardy race of
industrious yeomanry； all friends of their country。 He was fired upon from
behind bushes and fences； trees and rocks； by companies in ambush； and
individuals on foot and on horseback； and was so much annoyed that he
was obliged to retreat back to Winnsborough。 The news of this expedition
was industriously spread abroad； and encouraged the people of South
Carolina to follow the example。 In the mean time； Gen。 Gates had been
superceded in the command of the southern army by Gen。 Greene。
With the character of this leader it is intended to make the reader better
acquainted than he has been heretofore。 His command begun with a good
omen； which in all times has had its effect。 In a few hours after his arrival
in camp at Charlotte； he received the news that Col。 Washington had taken
Rugely and one hundred men； by the well known stratagem of mounting a
pine log over against his block house； which he mistook for a field piece。*
Gen。 Greene had not only no more than one thousand continentals and
about as many militia； but was also bare of ammunition and clothing； and
had no money to pay them。 With this force he marched down to Pedee； in
South Carolina； and took a position near Hick's creek； on the east side of
the river； not many miles from Chatham。 From this place his first despatch
to Gen。 Marion is dated； the 19th Jan。 1781； in which he says； 〃by the last
accounts； Lieut。 Col。 Tarleton was in motion； with about one thousand
troops； towards Gen。 Morgan。〃 On the 23d Jan。 Gen。 Greene congratulates
Marion on Morgan's victory over Tarleton； and writes him the particulars。
On the 25th he says； 〃before this I hope you have received the agreeable
news of the defeat of Lieut。 Col。 Tarleton。 After this nothing will appear
difficult。〃
* This was the same Rugely who behaved so generously to
Governor Rutledge。 It seems Lord Cornwallis intended to have promoted
him； but after this affair he wrote to Tarleton； 〃Rugely will not be made a
brigadier。〃
As the defeat of Tarleton at the Cowpens has been related by many
American writers； whose works are generally read； the account of the
renowned chief himself； who was unexpectedly foiled； and which is now
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out of print； will be extracted for the amusement of the historical reader。
〃Near the end of the last year； （1780） information had been received by
Lord Cornwallis； that Gen。 Greene had made a division of his troops；
which did not exceed fourteen hundred men； exclusive of militia； and that
he had committed the light infantry and Col。 Washington's cavalry to Gen。
Morgan； with directions to pass the Catawba and Broad rivers； to collect
the militia； and threaten Ninety…Six。 It is not to be supposed Gen。 Greene
would have adopted the hazardous plan of dividing his forces； if he had
received information of Gen。 Leslie's command being withdrawn from
Virginia； and united to the force in South Carolina； because such an
accession of strength would produce a movement from Winnsborough
（where Cornwallis then lay；） and might separate the two divisions of the
American army； and endanger their safety。 To attain this object； （the
separation of the two divisions of the American army；） Col。 Tarleton was
now detached from the main army of Lord Cornwallis； and was to be
supported by his lordship； and Gen。 Leslie as soon as he arrived； with
orders to push Morgan to the utmost。 Tarleton's force was his corps of
cavalry and infantry of five hundred and fifty men； the first battalion of
the 71st； of two hundred men； two hundred men of the 7th regiment； new
recruits； and fifty dragoons of the 17th regiment total one thousand men。
Morgan retreated before Tarleton till the commanding officer in front of
the British reported the American troops were halted and forming。 （17th
Jan。） Lieut。 Col。 Tarleton； having obtained a position he certainly might
deem advantageous； did not hesitate to undertake the measures his
commander and his own judgment recommended。 He ordered the legion
dragoons to drive in the militia； that Morgan's disposition might be
inspected。 The American commander had formed a front line of about one
thousand militia； his reserve of
