During the Revolution, approximately 80% of the actual action itself took place in the south, where militia was common due to the mistrust of the federal government (Weller, 118). Of these, about two-thirds of the battles themselves transpired in South Carolina, with over 200 instances of combat (Oller, 11). In the lowcountry of South Carolina, Francis Marion, also referred to as the Swamp Fox due to his cunning tactics and ability to outmaneuver the British in the swampy surrounding. He became a figure-head for guerrilla tactics in the south, however, he did not condone the atrocities that many other guerrilla brigades followed, but instead remained as humane as possible (Oller, 17). Marion grew up in Charleston and spent many of his younger years learning the terrain and vegetation as he hunted and fished, but it wasn't until he enlisted in the army of the British royal …show more content…
It can be safe to say that Francis Marion was by far an esteemed candidate for the militia to pick as their head. His first engagement as a partisan, at Horse Creek, also known as "Nelson's Ferry," is one of these such instances (Aiken, 106). At Horse Creek, Marion had a meager group of soldiers that they devised would be split between Peter Horry and himself. Intelligence had come back stating that there weren't many soliders at their outposts due to their win at the Battle of Camden (Aiken, 107). Before day break on August 20, Horry would hold the ground that led away from the plantation that the British were staying. Horry and his 16 men were to be the cavalry if there were to be any escapes. Marion and the majority of the soldiers would go to the house by going around the back. While Horry was waiting for Marion to arrive at the house, a guard noticed Horry and fired, resulting in them heading towards the plantation at full-speed (Aiken,