The Swamp Fox: Francis Marion’s Campaign in the Carolinas 1780 (Raid, 42)

For an extended period of time following the Revolutionary War Battle of Camden in August 1780, guerilla leader Francis Marion's small band of irregulars were virtually the only rebel force disputing British control of South Carolina. Marion understood both the importance of his mission and the need to stay a force in being. His masterful campaign kept British regulars and loyalists off balance while buying time for the Continental Army to reconstitute a southern force. That campaign is explored in "The Swamp Fox", a new Osprey Raid Series book.Author David Higgins quickly sketches the American Revolution in South Carolina through the Battle of Camden, including Francis Marion's role. The bulk of the book is a tense narrative of Marion's raids and ambushes during a critical period extending into 1781. The author captures the vicious nature of what was essentially a civil war between rebels and loyalists, and Marion's challenges commanding a force of guerillas who came and went as their personal circumstances dictated. The narrative is accompanied by an excellent selection of illustrations, period images, and photographs.The book suffers from some annoying editing failures, and from a travelogue narrative that is difficult to follow from the book's one not very detailed map. It is however a decent introduction to the topic of Francis Marion and his brand of guerrilla warfare, and its importance to the outcome of the Revolutionary War.

This is another in the Osprey series, "Raid." The focus here? Francis Marion's campaign in the Carolinas after the disastrous American defeat at Camden, as British Commander Lord Cornwallis completely outgeneraled the overmatched General Horatio Gates.Marion had been a regimental commander, but went over the guerilla tactics after Camden (as with other patriots such as Thomas Sumter). This slender Osprey volume recounts his exploits over time. Page 73 lists major battles during Marion's time span (Camden, Cowpens, and Eutaw Springs) as well as his raids from 1780-1782. The volume speaks of Marion's background and personal story as well as the stories of other key actors, such as the ruthless commander Banastre Tarleton, Lord Cornwallis, and others.The book gives a good sense of the tactics of Marion, dubbed the "Swamp Fox." His troops were too few to change the direction of the war in the South, but they provided valuable support for the American forces, as did other irregular groups.All in all, a nice volume if one wants a quick introduction to partisan efforts in the South during the Revolutionary War.

I was glad to discover a new book about the Swamp Fox and wonder if the author encountered any alligators or poisonous snakes while venturing through South Carolina's swampy terrain for the photographs he used to accompany the text. Being only 80 pages, the book is a quick read and has nice artwork, a map of Marion's battles and skirmishes, and a listing of the number of participants from both sides in these engagements as well as the figures of those killed, wounded, captured, etc. I do feel that the author dwelled too much on Cowpens, where Marion did not fight, and left out interesting stories about the tower the rebels erected to capture Fort Watson and the sacrifice Mrs. Motte was willing to make in the capture of Fort Motte. Still, I am very pleased to add this to my collection of Swamp Fox books.

Francis Marion was an American guerrilla leader during the revolution, operating out of the swamps and forests of the South Carolina back country. His story is a fascinating but this book chooses to focus on other details. It does have some excellent insights into guerilla warfare, but the book never really puts the raids conducted by Marion in relation to British deployments and concentrations in South Carolina, which I think is the most relevent point to his raids. I liked the artwork but I think this one could have been better.I'm not sorry I got it, but this is not one I'm going to go to time and again, as I do with some of the other Osprey books.

This book takes a chronological look at battles and skirmishes between the British and American forces in the Carolinas during the 1780s focusing on those involving Francis Marion. it lists names of persons who fought with and against Marion, including death dates for many. particularly of interest to those doing genealogical research on ancestors who fought on either side.

Very interesting topic. The author not only addresses Francis Marion's activities, but he also compares it with other insurgencies. The comparisons were especially insightful. Colorful images weren't all that great. The book would be good for advanced middle schoolers or high schoolers working on either insurgencies or American history.

With so many books about the Swamp Fox I found this read to be informative, exciting, fun and just an all around great read. The stories never get old and I really enjoy reading about this great patriot. I wish there were more books about him and his fighters… after all, this is where the majority of the battles were fought. The true leadership of the man is shown in so many ways through this book. Recommend this book to all AR readers.

I eagerly awaited this book in order to learn more about an exciting time and theatre of operation during the American war for independence from the British empire . Unfortunately, this bone dry treatment of Francis Marion will turn off all but the most interested readers .The author wrote a stiff, jargon filled tome which managed to suck the lifeblood out of the story . This book reads like a junior officer's term paper, designed to impress his superiors with his erudition and command of the military dialect as opposed to an attempt to entertain and inform the interested reader .In addition, the supporting plates and pictures do little to give one a feel for the period and are below par for Osprey's usually outstanding illustrations .

a good book well researched and well written

just as advertised