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Watboo； saying； 〃he was in expectation of soon receiving more。〃
* Greene's letters； 13th and 14th December。
The British extended their patroles of cavalry nearly up to Dorchester；
but their main body was now confined to Charleston neck。
Thus； in the course of the campaign of 1781； the American army under
Gen。 Greene； without pay； without clothing； and as we have seen
frequently without ammunition； had driven the enemy from all their strong
holds but one； had defeated them in battle； and retaken all South Carolina
but a neck of land。
Detached Narratives for 1781。
There was with Marion's brigade throughout； a young man； Robert；
commonly called Bob James； but oftener； ~the general's right hand man~。
It was known to very few that Marion employed him often to gain
intelligence from the enemy in Georgetown and other places。 The general
never suffered him to mount guard or do common duties； being an
excellent woodsman； he was his favourite guide； being an expert swimmer；
he was generally by his side when swimming rivers； or paddled him over
in a canoe if they had one； being a good fisherman； he often caught him
fish； the general would laugh and joke with him； but with no other private。
He did not however employ Bob in these small matters when he had any
thing serious for him to do。 Surprised at his exact intelligence from
Georgetown and other places； the author asked him once 〃how he got it？〃
He related several interesting particulars； among others this one： 〃Just in
the outskirts of Georgetown there is a pond full of bushes； and in the
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Life of Marion。
middle of it a large gum…tree with a thick top and branches that reach the
thicket below。 This tree overlooked the garrison and both roads leading out
of town。 I used to climb into it and watch for days together； and if I saw
any thing important； immediately came down； mounted my horse； hid in a
neighbouring swamp； and told it to the general myself； or sent the only
other person we trusted。〃 The gum tree stood there lately； but Robert
James sleeps with his fathers。 〃Alas； poor Yorick！ I knew him Horatio。〃 It
was generally thought that although he swam so often on horseback； or
crossed rivers in unsteady canoes； the general could not swim himself。 His
body was sufficient for endurance； and his mind； to sagacity and foresight；
united the higher virtues of patience and fortitude。 In one thing he
appeared singular； long swords were now in fashion as best for attack or
defence； but Gen。 Marion always wore the little cut and thrust； which was
in use in the second regiment； and he was seldom； perhaps never； seen to
draw it。 His messmates told a story； whether true or not is of little
consequence； as it shows the public opinion。 The sum of this story was；
that on one occasion he attempted to draw it； but it was so rusty he could
not extricate it from the scabbard。 He had a reason for this apparent
singularity； a long sword might have tempted him； a small man； to act the
common soldier； and he appeared to place no reliance on his personal
prowess。 Gen。 Greene depended entirely upon him for intelligence。 Now；
intelligence is the life of an army。 Sumter and Greene were then at
variance； and if Sumter gained any； he would not condescend to let Greene
know it； but take advantage of it himself。 Lee； whose particular business it
was to furnish Greene with intelligence； was always too fond of seeing his
men and horses in good plight； to expose them to hardships。 Marion's were
for every day's use。
An anecdote worthy to be recorded happened at the brick house at the
Eutaw。 Capt。 Laurence Manning； since adjutant general in this state；
marched at the head of the legion infantry to batter down the door of the
house。 Intent on this single object； and relying confidently on his men； he
advanced boldly up to the door； when； looking behind him for the first
time； behold his men had deserted him。 He stood for a moment at the side
of the door； revolving what was to be done。 Fortunately a British officer；
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Life of Marion。
Capt。 Barry； opened the door gently to peep out； and Manning seizing him
fast by the collar； jerked him out。 He then used him as an ancient warrior
would have done his shield； and the enemy； fearing to shoot least they
should kill Barry； Manning escaped without a shot being fired at him from
the house。
During the struggle of the present year； （1781） Capt。 Wm。 Allston； of
True Blue； on Little river； All Saints parish； served under Gen。 Marion。 He
was a firm patriot and good soldier； indeed he may well be enumerated
among the martyrs to the cause of his country； for having been seized with
a fever in camp； he had scarcely time to reach his home； where he expired
at a middle age。 He left behind him； by his last wife； two sons and a
daughter； his eldest son he named after the illustrious Washington； and he
has since proved himself to be highly worthy of that distinction。 In this son
will be readily recognised the distinguished artist； Washington Allston；
whose pencil has bestowed celebrity upon the place of his birth； and
whom every American should be proud to claim as his countryman。
Towards the conclusion of this year； Maj。 Edward Hyrne； one of Gen。
Greene's aids； was commissioned by him to negociate a cartel of exchange
of prisoners in Charleston。 He had to conduct this with Col。 Balfour； who
was haughty and unreasonable as well as cruel； his demands were so
exorbitant； that Maj。 Hyrne； after waiting upon him several times with
much patience； at length declared they were utterly inadmissible； and took
his leave。 Returning to his lodgings； he wrote a note to each British officer
on parole in town； informing him he must prepare to follow him into the
country the next day。 His firmness or good policy had the desired effect；
Balfour's quarters were soon besieged by at least forty officers； many of
whom were of higher rank than himself； and Major Hyrne succeeded to
the extent of his wishes。
The party under Major John Postell； which was ordered out on the
29th January in this year； and succe