Francis Marion (February 26, 1732 – February 27, 1795) was a South Carolina farmer and a Brigadier General in the Continental Army. Marion is best known for the hit-and-run tactics he employed against British troops during the American Revolutionary War. These tactics earned him the nickname of "The Swamp Fox" and also a place in the annals of history as one of the fathers of guerrilla warfare.
Francis was involved in the military campaign against Cherokee Indians in the French Indian War. In the Revolutionary War, the British had captured South Carolina. He would wage many fierce battles against British troops. These attacks were so successful that the British put a bounty on him and sent forces to capture him. He would allude the British by traversing swamps, hence the nickname the Swamp Fox.
The Continental Congress recognized Marion for his successful rescue of American forces trapped by 500 British troops. In January 1782, he was elected to the South Carolina State Senate.
After the British were driven from South Carolina, he returned home to find his plantation destroyed.
Many American towns and municipalities are named after Francis Marion. The South Carolina Air National Guard is "Home of the Swamp Fox", a tribute to Francis Marion.
The Mel Gibson movie “The Patriot” was partly inspired by Marion’s actions during war.