You may have heard of the Swamp Fox Francis Marion. But Oscar Marion?

Daniel Island Historical Society members and supporters stepped back in time on the evening of Sept. 15 to hear the story of a man enslaved to legendary 18th-century military commander and Berkeley County native Francis Marion.  

Dressed in period attire, author and historian Joseph McGill of the nationally acclaimed Slave Dwelling Project portrayed Oscar Marion as part of a DIHS presentation at the Church of the Holy Spirit.  

Most South Carolinians know the name Francis Marion, the Revolutionary War brigadier general famously nicknamed the “Swamp Fox” for his daring guerrilla tactics against British forces. Far fewer know the story of Oscar Marion, the man who faithfully served beside him – one of the many unsung heroes of the American Revolution.  

During the DIHS program, entitled “In the Shadow of Freedom: Oscar Marion’s Revolutionary War Story,” audience members learned about Marion's many contributions during the war and beyond in his service to Francis Marion.  

Marion, also known as “Buddy,” was an enslaved man of African descent who is believed to have grown up alongside Francis Marion. During the Revolutionary War, the two served together with the 2nd South Carolina Continental Regiment. Oscar Marion’s contributions extended far beyond preparing meals for the troops. He provided vital support in the field, assisted with military operations, and is believed to have served as a personal spy for Francis Marion, gathering intelligence that aided the Patriot cause. 

McGill, who will soon publish a new book with co-author Herb Frazier entitled “Divided Loyalty: Uneven Paths to Freedom in South Carolina during the Revolutionary War,” stressed the importance of sharing the stories of individuals like Oscar Marion.  

“We know a lot about Oscar,” McGill told the audience. “But there are lots of Oscars out there. We want to make sure that their stories are incorporated into the narrative [about the Revolutionary War]. We want the world to know that there are other Oscars out there whose stories need to be told.”