life of francis marion(弗朗西丝·马利翁传)-第42节
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when a serjeant came up； who addressed him with apparent humanity； and
offered him protection from further injury at the risk of his life。 All I ask；
said Stokes； is to be laid by that officer that I may die in his presence。
While performing this generous office the humane serjeant was twice
obliged to lay him down； and stand over him to defend him against the
fury of his comrades。 Doct。 Stapleton； Tarleton's surgeon； whose name
ought to be held up to eternal obloquy； was then dressing the wounds of
the officer。 Stokes； who lay bleeding at every pore； asked him to do
something for his wounds； which he scornfully and inhumanely refused；
until peremptorily ordered by the more humane officer； and even then only
filled the wounds with rough tow； the particles of which could not be
separated from the brain for several days。
Capt。 Stokes was a native of Pittsylvania county； Virginia。 He was
early intended for the bar； and having gone through the usual course of
classical and other preparatory studies； he commenced the practice with
the most flattering indications of future eminence。 But the calm pursuits of
peace not comporting with the ardour of his mind； he relinquished the fair
prospect of professional emolument； and accepted a captaincy in Buford's
regiment。
At this catastrophe； he was about twenty…seven years of age。 His
height was about the common standard； his figure and appearance； even in
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his mangled situation； inspired respect and veneration； and the fire of
genius that sparkled in his dark piercing eye； gave indications of a mind
fitted not only for the field； but for all the departments of civil life。
Shortly after the adoption of the constitution of the United States； he
was promoted to the bench in the Federal Court married Miss Pearson
and settled on the Yadkin river； where the county is called Stokes； after his
name。 （Signed；） R。 Brownfield。
The following letter from Major Keating Simons； was received too
late to be inserted either in the body； or in a note to this work； although it
contains one of the finest traits of the character of Gen。 Marion。 Major
Muller and Major Simons acted as brigade majors to the general； and both
were high in his confidence。
After the war Major Simons engaged in the useful business of a factor；
and received the patronage and approbation of numerous friends。 While
himself labouring under many difficulties； arising from the war； he
extended his helping hand to his old friend the general； struggling from the
same cause under still greater embarrassments； and had the satisfaction to
assist in extricating him from many of them。 This debt of gratitude was not
forgotten； when Mrs。 Marion was dying she left the one half of her fortune
to the late Keating Lewis Simons； Esq。 eldest son of the major： but two
short years since the ornament of the bar and of his country。
~Charleston； November 17th； 1821。~
Dear Sir；
The anecdote of Gen。 Marion you requested me to relate to you； I now
take the first opportunity to mention。 It occurred late in the year 1782；
when the British troops were preparing to evacuate Charleston： they had a
covering party on James' island to protect their wood…cutters； and another
on Lamprere's point to protect their getting water for their shipping。 Col。
Kosciusko； a Polander； solicited Gen。 Greene to afford him an opportunity
of distinguishing himself； and as the covering party to the wood…cutters
was the only one which now presented itself； the general gave him a
command to attack them； which he did； and was defeated with the loss of a
great many men； and among the slain was the gallant Capt。 Wilmot。
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Life of Marion。
About the same time that Gen。 Greene gave Kosciusko this command；
he wrote to Gen。 Marion； 〃that he understood the watering party at
Lamprere's point was so situated as to afford him an opportunity of
attacking it with success。 Gen。 Marion replied； 〃that he had not overlooked
the situation of the British at that spot； but he viewed the war in Carolina
as over； and as the enemy were preparing to go away； he had sent a party
to protect them from being annoyed by his own men； that he commanded
his fellow citizens who had already shed blood enough in the cause of
freedom； and that he would not spill another drop of it； now when it was
unnecessary； no； not for the highest honours that could be conferred upon
him。〃
If you think this anecdote worth mentioning in the biography of that
great man； it is quite at your service。
With much respect and esteem； I am； dear Sir； Yours very truly；
Keating Simons。
Correspondence。
Gen。 Lincoln to Lieut。 Col。 Marion； at Sheldon。
~Head Quarters； Charleston； Jan。 31； 1780。~
Sir；
The state of affairs is such as to make it necessary that we draw our
force to a point as much and as soon as possible。 No troops will be kept in
the field except two hundred light infantry and the horse。* You will；
therefore； please to select from the three regiments with you； two hundred
of your best men； and those who are best clothed； and organize them into
corps with proper officers。 All the remainder with the baggage of the
whole （saving such as is absolutely necessary for light troops） will march
immediately to this town。 You will please take the command of the light
infantry； until Lieut。 Col。 Henderson arrives； which I expect will be in a
few days。 After that I wish to see you as soon as possible in Charleston。
Cross will deliver you this with a letter to Col。 Parker； and another to
Major Jamieson。 You will send them towards Augusta in the common
route by four horsemen。 Two will guide Col。 Parker to this town by the
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Life of Marion。
shortest way； the other two will guide Major Jamieson to your camp。
* Washington's。
I am； Sir； Your most obedient servant； B。 Lincoln。
____________
Col。 Marion to Col。 P。 Horry。
~Lynch's Creek； Aug。 17； 1780。*~
* Written about a week after Gen。 Marion took command of the
militia。
Sir；
You will take the command of such men as will be collected from
Capts。 Bounneau's； Mitchell's and Benson's companies； and immediately
proceed to Santee； from the lower ferry to Lenud's； and destroy all the
boats and canoes on the river； and post guards at each crossing place； to
prevent persons from crossing to or from Charleston； on either side of the
river。 You will give all necessary intelligence； and the number of men
you may have collected as early as possible。 You will procure about
twenty…five weight of gunpowder； and a proportionable quantity of ball or
swanshot； also flints； and send them up to me immediately； to the
Kingstree； by an express。
I am with esteem； Your obedient servant； Francis Marion。
N。 B。 You will also take the command of Capt。 Lenud's company；
and furnish your men with arms； wherever you can find them； giving
receipts。
____________
Extract of a Letter from Col。 Marion to Col。 P。 Horry。
~Lynch's Creek； Aug。 27； 1780。~
Dear Sir；
I am sorry to acquaint you that Gen。 Gates is defeated with great loss；
he was obliged to retreat to Charlotte； which obliges me also to retreat。
You will without delay retreat with what men you can get； to Briton's neck；
where I have encamped。 It is necessary to obtain ammunition； arms and
accoutrements； and as many horses as you can get； also stores from
Georgetown； which you will send if possible up the river to Briton's neck。
On the 20th inst。 I attacked a guard of the 63d and Prince of Wales'
