Oscar Marion

Oscar Marion served in the 2nd Continental Army Regiment of South Carolina during the struggle for American independence. His volunteer service of seven years far exceeded the average enlisted soldier’s time on duty and his combat experience was intense; he was described as a “loyal faithful servant” to Brigadier General Francis Marion, the “Swamp Fox.” Despite enduring a lifetime spent as an enslaved individual, Oscar was one of the most notable and best known among “Marion’s Men,” having served as general’s assistant and body guard, sous chef, oarsman, and of course, fighter. The enslaved-turned-soldier waged successful guerilla warfare against British troops, and unlike other enslaved individuals of Francis Marion’s family, who left and served with the loyalists, Oscar deliberately chose the path of patriotism. 

Oscar Marion’s place fighting alongside Francis Marion only recently came into full focus, although his role in the war has frequently been portrayed in art and literature over the past two hundred years. 

Painting of Oscar Marion
Photo of Francis Marion with Oscar Marion included

Oscar fought in the battle of FOrt Moultrie on June 28, 1776, the siege of savannah in 1779, the siege of Charleston in 1780, and the Battle of Eutaw Springs on September 8, 1781. His efforts alongside Gen. Francis Marion and his militia helped set up the Continental Army’s eventual victory over forces led by British Gen. Charles Cornwallis at Yorktown, VA.

More than 225 years later, Oscar’s exploits were portrayed by the character Occam in the 2000 movie “The Patriot” which starred Mel Gibson. This role portrayed Oscar as a valiant soldier fighting and helping his fellow militia men during the war.

In 2006, Oscar was given military honors and special recognition by the US Senate Curator’s Office. Oscar is depicted in John Blake White’s famous painting with Francis Marion which has been on display at the US Capitol in Washington, DC. At a commemorative ceremony, President Bush signed a proclamation on behalf of a “grateful nation,” thanking Oscar Marion for his “devoted and selfless consecration to the service of our country in the Armed Forces of the United States.”