Francis Marion

From CharlestonWiki

Francis Marion (circa 1732 - February 26 or February 27, 1795) was a lieutenant colonel in the Continental Army and later Brigadier General in the South Carolina Militia during the American Revolutionary War. He became known as the "Swamp Fox" for his ability to use decoy and ambush tactics to disrupt enemy communications, capture supplies, and free prisoners.

Marion is considered one of the fathers of modern guerilla warfare, and is credited in the lineage of the United States Army Rangers.

The Francis Marion National Forest near Charleston, South Carolina is named after Marion, as is the historic Francis Marion Hotel in downtown Charleston. Numerous other locations across the country are named after Marion. [1]

Mel Gibson's character in the movie "The Patriot" was initially based on the life of Francis Marion but due to some controversial aspects of Marion's life including owning slaves, persecution of Cherokee Indians, and other war atrocities the film makers decided to make a more likable fictional character for Gibson.