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families preserved from being plundered by a rapacious enemy？ We mean
not to flatter you。 At this time it is impossible for you to suspect it。 Our
present language is the language of free men expressing only sentiments
of gratitude。 Your achievements may not have sufficiently swelled the
historic page。 They were performed by those who could better wield the
sword than the pen。 By men whose constant dangers precluded them from
the leisure； and whose necessities deprived them of the common
implements of writing。 But this is of little moment： they remain recorded
in such indelible characters upon our minds； that neither change of
circumstances nor length of time can efface them。 Taught by us； our
children shall hereafter point out the places and say to their children； here
Gen。 Marion； posted to advantage； made a glorious stand in defence of the
liberties of his country； there； on disadvantageous ground； retreated to
save the lives of his fellow citizens。 What could be more glorious for the
general commanding free men than thus to fight； and thus to save the lives
of his fellow soldiers？ Continue general in peace to till those acres which
you once wrested from the hands of an enemy。 Continue to enjoy dignity；
accompanied with ease； and to lengthen out your days blessed with the
consciousness of conduct unaccused of rapine or oppression； and of
actions ever directed by the purest patriotism。〃
This address was presented to the general and gave him great pleasure；
but as he had not latterly been much in the habit of using his pen； his
answer was a verbal one； expressive of his sincere thanks。
On the 27th day of February； 1795； Gen。 Marion died at his house in St。
John's parish。 As his fame is yet but indistinctly known； and much of that
through the medium of fable； the present attempt has been made to arrest
its progress； to do honour to his memory； and to transmit his example to
posterity。
Appendix。
126
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Life of Marion。
~The following is the letter of Dr。 Robert Brownfield to the author；
giving a detailed account of the defeat of Buford's regiment； referred to at
page 39。~ ＇Chapter II Paragraph 6＇
Dear Sir；
In obedience to your request； I send you a detailed account of the
defeat and massacre of Col。 Buford's regiment； near the borders of North
Carolina； on the road leading from Camden to Salisbury。 This regiment
consisting of three hundred and fifty men； well appointed and equipped；
had marched from Virginia for the relief of Charleston； and had advanced
to Santee； where they were met by intelligence of the surrender； a retreat
then became unavoidable。 Between this place and Camden they fell in
with Gen。 Caswell； at the head of about seven hundred North Carolina
militia； whose object had been the same； and whose retreat became
equally imperious。 At Camden these two corps unfortunately separated；
Caswell filed off to Pedee； and Buford pursued the road to Salisbury。 This
measure was accounted for by the want of correct intelligence of Tarleton's
prompt and rapid movements； who was in full pursuit with three hundred
cavalry； and each a soldier of infantry behind him。 Neglecting Caswell
and his militia； the pursuit was continued after Buford to the Waxhaw。
Finding he was approximating this corps； he despatched a flag； saying he
was at Barclay's with seven hundred men； and summoned them to
surrender on the terms granted to the garrison in Charleston。 Buford
immediately laid the summons before a council of his officers with three
distinct propositions from himself： Shall we comply with Tarleton's
summons？ Shall we abandon the baggage； and； by a rapid movement； save
ourselves？ or； shall we fortify ourselves by the waggons； and wait his
approach？
The first and second were decidedly rejected by the unanimous voice
of the council； declaring it to be incompatible with their honour as soldiers；
or the duty they owed their country； either to surrender or abandon the
baggage on the bare statement of Tarleton。 They had no certainty of the
truth of his assertion； and that it might be only a ~ruse de guerre~ to alarm
127
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Life of Marion。
their fears and obtain a bloodless victory。 The third was also negatived on
the ground； that although they might by this means defend themselves
against Tarleton； but as no succour was near； and as Tarleton could； in a
short time； obtain reinforcements from Cornwallis； against which no
effectual resistance could be made； this measure would be unavailable。
The discussion soon resulted in a resolution to continue the march；
maintaining the best possible order for the reception of the enemy。 In a
short time Tarleton's bugle was heard； and a furious attack was made on
the rear guard； commanded by Lieut。 Pearson。 Not a man escaped。 Poor
Pearson was inhumanely mangled on the face as he lay on his back。 His
nose and lip were bisected obliquely； several of his teeth were broken out
in the upper jaw； and the under completely divided on each side。 These
wounds were inflicted after he had fallen； with several others on his head；
shoulders； and arms。 As a just tribute to the honour and Job…like patience
of poor Pearson； it ought to be mentioned； that he lay for five weeks
without uttering a single groan。 His only nourishment was milk； drawn
from a bottle through a quill。 During that period he was totally deprived of
speech； nor could he articulate distinctly after his wounds were healed。
This attack gave Buford the first confirmation of Tarleton's declaration
by his flag。 Unfortunately he was then compelled to prepare for action； on
ground which presented no impediment to the full action of cavalry。
Tarleton having arranged his infantry in the centre； and his cavalry on the
wings； advanced to the charge with the horrid yells of infuriated demons。
They were received with firmness； and completely checked； until the
cavalry were gaining the rear。 Buford now perceiving