The Swamp Fox of the Revolution

U.S. Landmark Books #90

by Stewart H. Holbrook

Welcome back one of the most beloved and requested histories for children! It relates a little known but crucial episode in the Revolutionary War, one that inspired the fictional motion picture, The Patriot in 2000. With no pay and little ammunition, a small band of backwoodsmen carried on a private war with the British redcoats in South Carolina during the American Revolution. Led by Francis Marion, these guerilla fighters struck fear into the hearts of the English as time and time again they ambushed soldiers and knocked out a string of forts before disappearing mysteriously into the swamps. Marion’s unorthodox tactics demoralized and terrified the Redcoats so much that they were eventually driven from the South.

Genres: History, Biography, American History, American Revolution, Childrens, Nonfiction, War

180 pages

First published January 1, 1959

About the author

Stewart Hall Holbrook (1893 - 1964) was an American lumberjack, writer, and popular historian. His writings focused on what he called the "Far Corner" - Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. A self-proclaimed "low-brow" historian, his topics included Ethan Allen, the railroads, the timber industry, the Wobblies, and eccentrics of the Pacific Northwest.

He wrote for The Oregonian for over thirty years, and authored dozens of books. He also produced a number of paintings under the pseudonym of "Mr. Otis."

Reviews

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really interesting and exciting. We learned so much about the Revolution that I had never read before.

[Carolyn Page · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really great biography of Francis Marion, suitable for young readers, but was enjoyable for me even as a twenty-something. Had a bibliography in the back which I appreciated-- otherwise they may as well be just fancy novels for as much truth you can bank on.

[Caleb Meyers · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a remarkable book, like the landmark books Ethan Allan and the Green Mountain Boys and Remember the Alamo. Unfortunately my copy had the first 19 pages missing.

[Nathan Weaver · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice to reread an old colonial American story from my homeschooling years. Good stuff👍

[Laurel · Rating 4 out of 5]

After helping my grandson do a report on Francis Marion, I became very interested in his story, so I picked up this quick read to learn more. I'm convinced if it weren't for this hero, we would have lost the war of Independence. Yet, many people don't know about him.
Here are some very interesting facts.
1. After serving in the regular Patriot's Revolutionary War army, Marion left to head up his own militia doing guerrilla warfare.
2.He was the inspiration for today's soldiers fighting tactics.
3. The British sent their top Colonel, Banastre Tarleton, to find Francis Marion. Marion was causing horrible havoc with their supply lines and killing and wounding many British Soldiers. Col. Tarleton became so frustrated trying to locate him in the South Carolina swamps that he gave him his nickname, SWAMP FOX.
4. Col. Banastre Tarleton had earned a very bad reputation for shooting his prisoners of war. This fact inspired more patriots to recruit and those in the militia to fight even harder against this man with this battle cry, "Tarleton gave no quarter!"
5. Tarleton’s black reputation rests predominantly on his supposed actions at the Battle of Waxhaws. After the patriots had held up a white flag to surrender, a quarter of Colonel Buford’s entire force who had put down their weapons were murdered by Tarleton's men.
6. Marion never murdered his POWs, or even kept them very long. After he caught them, he gave them a chance to change their allegiance, and then he sent them home.

[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This biography of Francis Marion exemplifies the quality of writing found in the Landmark series of books. The campaign in the Carolinas are often overlooked in studies of the Revolutionary War. This book fills in that gap. While some books grind this gripping story to a dull pace with dry descriptions and flat language, this one keeps the reader wanting more. He captures the quirky personality of Francis Marion and his comrades perfectly. Point by point, he shows why South Carolina's role in the war should not be overlooked. The British believed a Tory wave of enthusiasm would ease the path of conquest but they overlooked the ingenuity of the tactics by people who thrived in a swampy land. I was delighted to read an entire chapter on Fort Watson, Fort Motte, and Eutaw Springs. With his background as a lumberjack, the author depicted the building of the tower at the mound in vivid detail. He knows how to build tension in the drama. When Rebecca Motte digs the strange bow out of storage for Nathan Savage, I wanted to cheer!

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

An easy and basic summary of Francis Marion in the Revolutionary War.

I picked this book out of the 'discarded' pile at the jr. high school I worked at. It had been checked out frequently from the 1960s to 70s, and barely at all for the past 20 years. Never hearing of Francis Marion, I figured this was a suitable starting point

As expected, the typical tropes of American public school history follow. An easy read, lacking in details and high in adventure. The author skips any shortcomings of Marion, for instance owning slaves, and avoids any controversy. Marion reads as a noble hero, as expected.

You will not get the bigger picture on Marion, but this is a good starting point for leisurely learning about the man.

[Greg Jacobs · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did an essay and book report on this. I remember really enjoying the book. I think I was in 5th grade or 6th grade. I remember only two things, really:

First, that Francis Marion used guerilla tactics and was very successful against the Brittish.
Second, that he married his cousin. I think first cousin. Um. But I guess not unusual for the cultural norms of the time.

I am not sure if it was THIS book, or one of the others, really. I remember the cover was more of a scene than a portrait. There are a few 'Francis Marion: Swamp Fox' or something similar. For now, I'm guessing. It's a little fitting that I can't be sure if I've got the right book or edition.

[Rich Farrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another well-told Holbrook authored book in the Landmark series. I bought this at Randolph Street Market simply because I’d never heard of “The Swamp Fox,” and I’m a fan of the series. As with all of these dated books, there are some problematic things with this text, notably how they deal with slavery. At the same time, I’m sure there are very few books aimed at youth that focus on the Revolutionary War in South Carolina and even fewer that talk about tactics in an age appropriate way and cite primary sources.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stewart Hall Holbrook is a wonderful storyteller, and this book about the Swamp Fox will not disappoint. This is a great book about the Revolutionary War with lots of details that will leave any young boy enthralled. I think this book is a wonderful choice for boys who love to read about battles ages 7 and up.

[Taralee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this to my kids for history class and it was hard to keep their attention at times. It had some neat information but it was really wordy. I give 4 stars because learning about Francis Marion (The Swamp Fox) was interesting and I enjoyed learning some neat parts of our history.

[Laurie Wheeler · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite of the Landmark Series books for children. I learned so much more than I have from history texts on Francis Marion. This book shares the Banastre Tarleton connection. Lots of great detail from a unique battle environment from the rest of the American Revolution theatre.

[Rodney Haydon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Swamp Fox! Swamp Fox!
Tail on his hat
Nobody knows where the Swamp Fox’’s at
Swamp Fox! Swamp Fox!
Hiding in the glen
He runs away to fight again!

Great juvenile historical account of Francis Marion during the American Revolution.

[Maggie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just enough to give me a good (and interesting) overview of Francis Marion, patriot General of a bushwhacking brigade in South Carolina. His methods were much like Native Americans and not at all like the British.

[Chappyfamily · Rating 5 out of 5]

When they made the movie The Patriot, they based Mel Gibsons character on the swamp fox, I think they should have just stocked with the original story because it’s fascinating and inspiring.

[Debby]

An interesting read of a person you have heard about but knew very little about. It was a concise version of some of the lesser-known battles of the American Revolution. Very informative.

[Carson Meyers · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it. very interesting.

[Walt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Written for young readers, this short biography is a thrilling story about the swamp fox, Francis Marion, who led a group of bushwhackers against the British during the Revolutionary War. Due to its brevity and focus on youngsters, the book is not inundated with details about his genealogy, family, plantation life, or academic analysis. The book is short, direct, and informative.

Although the book does remove a lot of unnecessary detail, there are bits of controversy. Published in 1959, there is no attempt to be politically correct. Holbrook uses slaves and negroes interchangeably. Marion was a plantation owner himself, and probably utilized slave labor, so there is no real indication how Marion related to slaves. Holbrook does not mention the presence of any in Marion's brigade. However, Marion did utilize slaves to dig a trench leading towards a British fort. The implication is that the slaves were less valuable than his own soldiers for such work. Holbrook entirely skirts the issue of race relations.

Another problem that Halbrook treats dismissively is Marion's treatment of prisoners. For five years, the British ran roughly over South Carolina. Their treatment of the locals as rebels or potential rebels probably did more harm than good for the British cause. Marion's own home was burned. Many of his men faced similar hardships. Halbrook mentioned on multiple occasions that Marion's men targeted notorious or ruthless Tory American partisans. If patriot and Tory partisans plagued South Carolina, it is difficult to support Holbrook's glowing appraisal of Marion. At the very end of the book, Holbrook notes that Marion's bushwhackers were not allowed to participate in the victory march through Charleston. Holbrook grudgingly admits that it was because of fears that the bushwhackers might do something to the departing British and Tories. It is likely that Marion did pardon captured Tories; but to assume that was his modus operandi is hard to believe.

Marion's tactical genius and leadership are on full display in the book. The hit n' run tactics and inventiveness in war are beautifully described and illustrated. Because the book is written for young readers, controversy is sidelined or discarded. Readers will undoubtedly admire Marion and get a glimpse of social conditions at the time of the war. Overall, it is an informative and enjoyable read.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Forget about history being boring. This book brings Francis Marion and his campaigns to life like an adventure story. We start off in his camp on Snow Island, and see his men carry out their guerilla type missions from there. We meet the men he fought with, and learn about the men he fought against. We travel to all the places where Marion was involved in the South Carolina campaigns, and see the scenery. Most of all, we follow Francis Marion, and see the brilliant daring and heart of kindness that makes a hero.

The author combined his history and descriptions to make this nothing more than true history, but to make the people, places and events memorable. A great book by itself, a good biography, and a wonderful history tool.

This is number 90 in the Landmark Series, designed to teach important history to children. Children will certainly enjoy the reading, but adults wanting to learn a little more about different areas of history will find Landmarks easy to breeze through. Not in depth studies, but with more information than the average person knows about the subjects, including Francis Marion, the Swamp Fox of the Revolution.

[Dale · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit of nostalgia

Published 1959 by Random House
180 pages

Many, many years ago Random House published a series of more than 100 books called "Landmark Books". These were short histories of a little more than 150 pages that were long on action and short on historical analysis.

Nevertheless, these were this history teacher's first introduction to written history. The library in Hope, Indiana had a whole shelf of these books and I happily read about Daniel Boone and the Alamo and John Paul Jones. I happened across this one at a middle school library clearance.

The book delivers as I remember...

Read more at: http://dwdsreviews.blogspot.com/2012/...

[Murray · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book may be for children, but I loved it. Well written and full of action. Tied a lot of the action in the south together into a concise captivating story. A must read for those interested in revolutionary battle history. How enriching it is to have 9 year old who is a revolutionary war history buff.

[Katie Hilton · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a children's biography of Francis Marion. It has plenty of factual information about his background and good detail about Revolutionary War battles in which he was engaged. It is valuable for someone who doesn't want to read a longer account.

[Wade McReynolds · Rating 3 out of 5]

I remember enjoying this as a kid but I don't know how well it holds up as history. Something tells me that the life of an eighteenth century rice planter and militia leader in South Carolina would have contained some less-admirable stuff that the author decided to leave out.

[Jenny - Book Sojourner · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
Good choice for our hisory series this year.

[Wesley · Rating 3 out of 5]

From Page 174:

Part rawhide and part vinegar, wrapped around the biggest heart on the continent.