forward to Augusta, and other commanding points in the interior.
The force under Lincoln did not enable him to offer any active opposition
to their progress. His headquarters were at Purysburg, on the Savannah river,
but a few miles from Abercorn, where Colonel Campbell lay
with the main body of the enemy. General Ashe, of the Americans,
occupied the post at Brier Creek, and, thus placed, the opposing commanders
seemed disposed for a while to rest upon their arms,
waiting events and reinforcements.

It was while the second South Carolina regiment lay at Purysburg,
that an adventure occurred, which has so often been repeated in connection
with the name and life of Marion, that we should scarcely be excused
from introducing it here, as properly in place in this memoir. Weems asserts
that Marion was present at this time with his regiment at Purysburg.
It is impossible to say whether he was or not. It is not improbable
that he was with his regiment, and yet the weight of evidence
inclines us to the opinion that he was still at Fort Moultrie.
It is not unlikely, however, that, when the direction of the British fleet
was known, and it was ascertained that Savannah and not Charleston
was its object, he immediately joined his regiment at Purysburg,
leaving Fort Moultrie in the charge of some less distinguished officer.
At all events the point is not of importance to the anecdote
we have to relate. Personally, Marion had nothing to do with it.
It was only because the actors in the adventure belonged to his regiment,
and were of "Marion's men", that tradition has insisted on associating
his name with theirs. It is not for us to have it otherwise.
The reader is already somewhat acquainted with the name of William Jasper --
perhaps Sergeant Jasper is the better known. This brave man
possessed remarkable talents for a scout. He could wear all disguises
with admirable ease and dexterity. Garden styles him "a perfect Proteus".*