Early history of FMLH Encampments 2002

Early history of FMLH Encampments 2002- 2011 Projects of Swamp Fox Murals Trail Society, Francis Marion Advocates home

Francis Marion Trail - Francis Marion Advocates: Pushing back the frontier of ignorance

American Revolutionary War, Clarendon County SC

General Francis Marion, Fort Watson, Battle of Wyboo Swamp, Swamp Fox, Francis Marion Trail Swamp Fox Murals

Revolutionary War Francis Marion Living History Encampment in Clarendon County, SC www.francismarioncountry.com

Revolutionary War History in Clarendon County, SC www.francismariontrail.com

Francis Marion Symposium: www.francismarionsymposium.com Swamp Fox Murals: www.swampfoxtrail.com

Main page of FMLH Encampments link

Francis Marion, the Swamp Fox, Marion in miniature

Feb. 2011 on Saturday: Visitors came from Bloomville, Bluffton, Charlotte, Cameron, Columbia, Elloree, Florence, Ft Mill, Hartsville,

Lexington, Manning, Maysville, Myrtle Beach, St George and more. We're extremely pleased with around 1000 participants. 2011 pictures below.
Best one yet ! General Francis Marion Memorial Day, February 25-26, 2011: Celebrated,
10th Revolutionary War Living History:
Annual Rev. Victory along the Santee River with Francis Marion
Honor General Francis Marion Memorial Day, which the South Carolina Legislature designated as February 27,
the Swamp Fox Murals Trail Society sponsors General Francis Marion Days Living History.

The General Francis Marion Days Living History Lantern Walk: Spy on History, is Friday, 25 Feb., 2011, 6:15 - 8 PM: History vignettes

Saturday, February 26, 2011 9 AM - 3 PM period craftsmen and women expertly demonstrate their primitive skills and many hands on activities for enthusiasts.
Ben Franklin; Barber/Surgeon; New Blacksmithing; Candle Maker; Crime & Punishment; New Felt Making; New Indian Lore; ‘Hawk thrower; Historian & Story Teller; History Clothing;

Indigo and Natural Dyes; Marching and Cannon Drills; Primitive Camp Life; Quill Writing; Quilts; Textiles & Weaving; Black Powder Gun Making; Hesse Jaeger Korp;

Ft Watson & Maham Tower; McCottry's Rifleman, Old Pottery and Points; Rev. Era Games; Cannon and muskets may be fired.

Lantern & water bucket for your lantern walk Camp open to the public for Friday night Lantern Walk: 6:15 PM & Saturday 9 AM-3 PM

       at Camp Bob Cooper, 8001 MW Rickenbaker Rd, Summerton, SC
                Free parking & free admission
                         Questions: 803-478-2645,   cell: 803-460-9626 or gcsummers@ftc-i.net
              Feb. 24 & 25, 2011, 3rd graders in Clarendon County participate in this living history encampment.

Grateful appreciation to our sponsors for 2011:

Manning Rotary Club
Matching Grant from Rotary District 7770 Foundation
Summerton Rotary Club

P Floyd, L Griffith, G & C Summers
W & D Turbeville, Turbeville Ruritan Club
These sponsorships provide our 3rd graders with this American Revolution experience without charge in 2011.

2011 Photos by S. Butterfield.and B Brown

Best one ever: February 24-25, 2012 Encampment

On Saturday: Visitors came from Bluffton, Camden, Canada, Columbia, Conway, Florence, Ft Mill, Irmo,

Johnsonville, Kingstree, Ladson, Lake City, Laurenburg, Lexington, Manning, Myrtle Beach, N. Santee,

St George, Summerton, Summerville, Sumter and more. We're extremely pleased with over 800 participants.

Grateful appreciation to our sponsors for 2012:

Manning Rotary Club, Matching Grant from Rotary District 7770 Foundation
Summerton Rotary Club, G & C Summers, W & D Turbeville, Turbeville Ruritan Club

These sponsorships and our many re-enactors provide our 3rd graders

with this American Revolution experience in 2012.

Eliza Lucas Pinckney and Indigo in South Carolina By Susan F. Craft

Thank you Clarendon Citizen for FMLH Photos & videos:

http://www.clarendoncitizen.com/article/francis-marion-living-history-takes-students-18th-century

FMLH videos, Thanks, Jack: A: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyeTEzqtrXI&list=LLfjVeyFvNt8PXTDYhSZHblg&index=1&feature=plpp_video

B: FMLH video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6pHQdQ0k9E

Thanks, Sue B, for the great photos.

February 24-25, 2012: 11th Francis Marion Living History, Victory along the Santee River

The General Francis Marion Days Living History Lantern Walk: Spy on History: Friday, 24 Feb., 2012, 6:15 - 8 PM: History vignettes

Saturday, February 25, 2012 9 AM - 3 PM period craftsmen and women expertly demonstrate their primitive skills and many hands on activities for enthusiasts.
Barber/Surgeon; Blacksmithing; Candle Maker; Crime & Punishment; Indian Lore; ‘Hawk thrower; History Story Teller; History Clothing; Indigo and Natural Dyes; Marching and Cannon Drills; Marion Militiaman; Primitive Camp Life; Quill Writing; Quilts; Textiles & Weaving; Black Powder Gun Making; Hesse Jaeger Korp; Ft Watson & Maham Tower; McCottry's Rifleman, Old Pottery and Points; Rev. Era Games; Cannon and muskets may be fired.
Our Society brings Backcountry days to life, to learn and to remember our great local heroes, white, black and red, men and women, who rode with Francis Marion, the Swamp Fox.

The Clarendon Citizen press coverage 2-17-2012:

http://www.clarendoncitizen.com/article/history-will-come-alive-clarendon-third-graders

2011 Design of the field for students to progress around for
20 minutes at history stations on Feb. 24 & 25. Open Saturday, Feb 26 for the Public Did you miss this?

	18) Cannon Drill	Goalpost		19) Blacksmith
6) Blacksmith			7) Cannon Drill & Black Powder
	17) Games & Stilts			20) 'Hawk Throwing
5) Musket Drill			8) Quilts & Looms
	16) Crafts: Felting			21) Crime & Punishment
4) Indigo/Natural Dyes			9) History Clothes
	15) Ben Franklin			22) Ft Watson, Maham Tower
3) Marion Storyteller			10) Quillwriting
	14) Hessian / Indian Lore			23) Spinning & Looms
2) Marion's Militia			11) Points/Old Pots
1-2) Hessian Crime & Punish	13) Hessian Militia			24) Barber-Surgeon
1) Hessian Camp - Firstarter			12) Candle Making
1st Column start line	2nd Column start line	Goalpost	3rd Column start line	4th Column start line Corral >
< Cafeteria, lunch, Wyboo	Bus Parking - \/	Entry Port		Gym & toilets -\/

Grateful appreciation to our sponsors for 2010:
Clarendon Chamber of Commerce, Garland shows drums calls at Wyboo Swamp

James Clyburn Research & Scholarship Foundation,
Manning Rotary Club,
Representative Cathy Harvin,
G & C Summers, Summerton Rotary Club,
Turbeville Ruritan Club,
Wyboo Women's Club.
This program is sponsored in part by
The Humanities Council SC, a state program of the National Endowment for the Humanities; inspiring, engaging and enriching South Carolinians with programs on literature, history, culture and heritage.
These sponsorships provide our 3rd graders with this American Revolution experience without charge.
Thanks to all the volunteers for a great success.
General Francis Marion Memorial Day, February 26-27, 2010:
9th Revolutionary War Living History:
Public is invited: Rev. History Lantern Walk:
Spy on History, Friday, 26 Feb., 2010, 6:30-8 PM
Students re-enact defending Fort Watson in their red vests.

Students re-enact defending Fort Watson in their red vests.

Saturday, February 27, 2010 9 AM - 3 PM at Camp Bob Cooper 8001 MW Rickenbaker Rd, Summerton, SC.
Expect re-enactors & historic interpreters to demonstrate these skills:
Ben Franklin; New Barber/Surgeon; Candle Maker;
Cartridge Rolling; Crime & punishment;
‘Hawk thrower; Historian & Story Teller; History Clothing;
New Indigo dyes; Marching and Cannon Drills;
Primitive Camp Life; Primitive Fire Starting; Quill Writing;
New Quilts; Pottery Making; Soap making;
Textiles & Weaving; Black Powder Gun Making; Hesse Jaeger Korp;
New Ft Watson & Maham Tower; McCottry's rifleman,
Old Pottery and Points; Rev. era games; Wooden churns & buckets.
Our Society brings Backcountry days to life, to learn and remember our great local heroes, white, black and red men and women, who rode with our Francis Marion, the Swamp Fox.
2010 Photo by M. Dukes

George, the Militiaman, leading the Cannon drill
and Wright as Dr. Franklin showing Ben's experiments.

2010 Photos by K. Vengerowsky

Thanks for The Item wrap up article: Who was the Swamp & Why do we care

Great Experience Feb 26-28, 2009 for over 650 potential historians,
far exceeded our expectations thanks to all the volunteers for the great job.
3rd graders Comments about the Living History Encampment:
“I really learned a lot about the Revolutionary War. I learned about how you can make fire with a piece of rock… Next I learned how to make a candle… and to make soap…, but it was fun.”
“And it was cool when you shot the gun. But the cannon was the best.”
“We saw Benjiman Franklin.”
“I’ve learned how to start a fire, and the type of stuff people use during the Revolutionary War. I learned that people back them had to make their clothes out of deer skin. I’ve learned a lot more...”
“Thank you for helping us learn about the Revolutionary War and Francis Marion. My favorite two parts were the candle making and the stilt walking...”

Soap makers and Turbeville marching drillers

Francis Marion living History Encampment
Re-enactors helped participants enjoy crafts from Rev. Era.

Stocks or pillory were used for punishment 230 years ago.

Participation from: School Districts 1, 2 and 3, Clarendon Hall and LMA.

Participation from re-enactors:
the Hesse Jaeger Korps, Ben Franklin, Primitive Camp sites, Candle Maker, the Cannon, Firestarter, Bucket & Churn Maker, Gunsmiths, Hand-Made History Clothing, 'Hawk thrower, Hide tanner/Indian trader, Horseshoer, McCottry's rifleman, Old Pottery and Points, Quill writer, Rev. Era Games, Soap Maker, Weavers, Woodjoiner, Marching drill, Crime & punishment (see stocks or pillory) & famous history storyteller Christine Swager. Our Society brings Backcountry days to life to learn and remember our great local heroes, white, black and red men and women, who rode with our Francis Marion, the Swamp Fox.

** Best View of Event ** See what the students (and teachers) enjoyed, thanks to 3rd grade slides of stations demonstrating skills.
(Need Windows Media Player to see show.) **

All weekend, Feb. 28-29, Mar 1, 2008, far exceeded our wildest, expectations thanks to all the volunteers for the great job.
7th Annual Victory along the Santee River with Francis Marion
To honor General Francis Marion Memorial Day, which the South Carolina Legislature designated as February 27,
the Swamp Fox Murals Trail Society sponsors General Francis Marion Days Living History.

Rev. History Lantern Walk: Spy on History, Friday, 29 Feb. 2008, 6-7:30 PM and historical interpreters, primitive skills, crafts and demonstrations
Saturday, March 1, 2008 9 AM - 3 PM are open to the public at Camp Bob Cooper 8001 MW Rickenbaker Rd, Summerton, SC.
The historical interpreter stations, manned by demonstrators in colonial clothing, include: Basket Weaving; Cartridge Making; Clothing; Carolina Indian Trader; Corn Husk Dolls; Iron Pot Cooking Soap; Marching and Cannon Drills; Music; Primitive Camp Life: Primitive Fire Starting; Pottery Making; Quill Writing; Story Telling; Tanning Skins and Hides; Textiles, Looms, Weaving; Woodcarving; Gun Making; and others.

Jack's Creek Militia at Camp

3rd graders in Clarendon County participated in this encampment on February 28 and 29, 2008.

Our Society brings Backcountry days to life to learn and remember our great local heroes, white, black and red men and women, who rode with our Francis Marion, the Swamp Fox. The students visit stations throughout the day which demonstrate skills used here in Clarendon County during the Revolutionary War Period. Students and their families can participate at all stations on Saturday.

Students have an opportunity to drill and march as Revolutionary soldiers did; throw 'hawks (tomahawks); and play games of the period. Re-enactors demonstrate the use of colonials weapons, including the cannon.
Backcountry woman carding at encampment

Students arrive by school buses to Camp Bob Cooper for the "day", before 9:00 AM and depart by 1:30 PM in order to maintain their bus schedules.
The students have lunch in the Camp Bob Cooper cafeteria.
Camp Bob Cooper will need $10 per student for the lunch and day’s experience.

Feb 28-29, 2008 Revolutionary War Living History Days for Clarendon 3rd graders
at Camp Bob Cooper: 9 AM to 1:30 PM
Feb 29, 2008 Come to the Revolutonary War History Lantern Walk:
Spy on History: Camp Bob Cooper: 6 PM - 7:30 PM
March 1 Living History Encampment at Camp Bob Cooper:
Primitive Skills, Crafts & Demonstratons: 9 AM to 3 PM

Brian describes the Germanic Hessians at Nelson's Ferry

Were you here? Santee National Wildlife Refuge invites you to
Sweeten your natural experience with a history lesson
Join us for a Celebration of Wildlife and Living History
Saturday, March 24, 2007, 8:30 AM to 8 PM
and Sunday, March 25, 2007, 9 AM to 3 PM

and Colonel "Light Horse" Harry Lee's Legion and the first to use Maham's tower for victory, April 23, 1781.

Wildlife Expo: Ongoing Both Days: Wildlife, Refuge & Fisheries Exhibits,
Fire Management & Prescribed Burning: Savannah Fire Mgt District
Archery Casting River Treasures Skins and Hides
Mar 24, Saturday:
8:30 - 10 AM Birding/Nature Tour: Josh Arrants Kids made and took home animal tracks.

12:00 - 1:00 PM   Casting Techniques & Contest: Orangeburg National Fish Hatchery
1:30 - 2:30 PM    Wildlife Signs & Animal Track Making (for kids): Lauren Billodeaux
Mar 25, Sunday:
9 - 10:30 AM   Birding/Nature Tour: Josh Arrants
11:00 - Noon   Birds of Prey/Animal Rescue: Sara & Sam Seashole
12:30 - 1:30 PM Practical & Medicinal Uses of Native Plants during the Colonial Period: Dr. John Logue
2:00 - 3:00 PM   Wetlands Explorations: Kay McCutcheon
6th Annual Victory at Fort Watson: At Santee Indian Mound:
Revolutionary War period demonstrations: Ongoing Both Days: Camp life, Primitive skills demos, Colonial games, Firestarting, Weaving, Music, Militia displays, 'Hawk throwing, Local Clay, Coil & Pinch Pottery, Cooking, Blackpowder Guns, Blacksmithing, Broom Making, Soap Making, Woodworking
Blacksmith Mo gave lessons in blacksmithing

Blacksmith Mo gave lessons in blacksmithing

Saturday: Rev. War author Christine Swager
10 AM: The Fort Watson Story
1 PM: Marion & Lee, The Odd Couple
Saturday Noon: DAR/SAR Memorials/Ceremony
Saturday Starting at 6 PM: Lantern History Walks for Time Travelers
Sunday 11 AM: Rev. War author Christine Swager: The Fort Watson Story
Sunday 1 PM: Special Performance by the USAF Heritage Aire Celtic Music Ensemble

Fort Watson was the only British fort built on an Indian Mound,

the first British fort taken by General Francis Marion's Patriots,

Bring your lawn chair and enjoy.

Sunday afternoon: Special Performance by the USAF Heritage Aire Celtic Music Ensemble USAF Heritage Celtic Ensemble by the Mound and lake March 25, 2007
Help us celebrate the gifts of nature protected by Santee National Wildlife Refuge so that we can re-discover our connections to the natural world much as our ancestors did during the American Revolutionary War era.

Hosted by Friends of Santee National Wildlife Refuge,
Santee National Wildlife Refuge and
Swamp Fox Murals Trail Society

Location: Santee National Wildlife Refuge:

South of Summerton, SC, I-95, Exit 102, US 15/301, Fort Watson Road
For questions, contact: Santee NW Refuge: 803-478-2217

or G Summers: 803-478-2645 or email gcsummers@ftc-i.net
Bring your lawn chair and enjoy, March 24 and 25, 2007.
Visit Friends of Santee National Wildlife Refuge directly.

Were you here:
Fort Watson and Santee Indian Mound.
General Francis Marion and Lt. Col. Harry Lee were here in 1781.
Santee National Wildlife Refuge, I-95, Exit 102, US 15/301, North Santee, SC
May 6, 2006, 9 AM to 4 PM
Celebration of International Migratory Bird Day & Victory at Fort Watson
225th Commemoration & Recognition of Victories of Fort Watson
A great time for you to discover living history

Wildlife Expo & Revolutionary War , Battle Re-enactments & Encampment
Participate with Re-enactments, Nature Walks, Period Crafters, History Rides.
Santee National Wildlife Refuge

Did you enjoy this fun? May 6, 2006 9 AM to 4 PM

All day: Guided History wagon trip to Indian Mound/Battlefield: Depart Visitor Center

All day: Guided Bird & Nature trips: First Guided Bird Ride/Walk with Josh Arrants
All day: Exhibits: "SC Refuges"
Orangeburg Fish Hatchery Exhibit / Casting contest

All day: Reptiles: Kevin Messinger introduces snakes, assisted by Q.

All day: Living History: Craftsmen, Domestic Lifeways, Cooking

Nature Experience: Scavenger hunt & track making with Kay

Living History: Christine Swager Talks: The Swamp Fox Story

All Day: Colonial Children’s games: archery, bayonet spearing skills, 'hawk throwing, stilt walking, musket drill

Cannon demonstration

Tactical Demonstration: Reenactment of the 1st Battle of Fort Watson with defeat of Thomas Sumter

Small arms/black powder

Living History: Christine Swager Talk: Where & Why the British Lost the War

Memorial march before Marion stone

Memorial presentations of honor by SAR & DAR representatives at
Francis Marion Monument
Memorial Ceremony:
Scott’s Branch HS JrROTC Color Guard
and II SC Re-enactors
(Photo by EW 2006)

Re-enactors fire from Fort Watson in 2006

Tactical Demonstration:
Reenactment of the
Victory at Fort Watson
(Photo by Jarvis,
Manning Times)

Gunsmiths, Lace-making, Open-fire Cooking, Weaving, Horn Baskets by Carolyn, Blacksmithing, Woodworking, Musket firing, Cannon firing, Music and many other activities. People are invited to play 18th century games and share Camp life. Wildlife and Nature Expo includes Guided nature walks/talks, wildlife exhibits & more.

Dr. Christine Swager autographing her Rev. books / Patrick O'Kelley autographing his Rev. Books / Margaret showing weaving

Rev. CookBooks / Hand-Made Shawls & Horn Baskets & Crafts / Tricorne Hats / Bonnets / Mob Caps / Flags / Pins / Refuge & Town Murals Bookmarks
Food Concessions by Santee Refuge Friends
& Swamp Fox Murals Trail Society
* Free Admission *   * Free Parking *
* Food concession available *
Santee National Wildlife Refuge Historic Santee Indian Mound
   Site of Historic Fort Watson
South of Summerton. SC 29148 803-478-2217 * I-95 / Exit 102, US 301
(Photo by EW 2006)

Thank you to all the volunteers:
Friends of the Santee National Wildlife Refuge
Santee National Wildlife Refuge Staff
Swamp Fox Murals Trail Society
Clarendon Hall and their trailers
2nd SC Continental Line Re-enactors
Jack's Creek Militia & Gun Makers
Wildlife Exhibitors, Musicians and Crafters
Scott's Branch High School Jr. ROTC Color Guard
Backcountry Volunteers for making this event possible
Special Thanks to our Corporate Sponsors:
IGA - Manning, Hickory Springs Water LLC, Santee Cooper

To commemorate the 225th anniversary of the Battles of 1781, especially:
First Battle of Fort Watson   - March 1, 1781
Battle of Wyboo Swamp   - March 6, 1781
Bridges Campaign with Mount Hope Harassment - March 10-28, 1781
Siege and Victory at Fort Watson   - April 16-23, 1781
   Victory at Fort Motte - May 6, 1781
Both Victories of Fort Watson & Fort Motte were commanded by Marion and Lee.

Victory at Fort Watson provides a glimpse & shares the view of life on the backcountry
frontier of the Santee River and a natural setting for the Wildlife Expo. An opportunity for you to walk where Francis Marion did in 1781. Re-enactors and volunteers demonstrate Battles and Living History:
I-95, Exit 102, US 15/301, Summerton, SC.
Sponsored by Friends of Santee NW Refuge & Swamp Fox Murals Trail Society

Visit Friends of Santee National Wildlife Refuge directly.

Did you miss this? A fun time was had by over 650 history buffs:
October 15, 2005 American Revolutionary Living History Encampment & Wildlife Expo
To commemorate the 225th anniversary of the SC Battles of 1780.
       "4th Victory at Fort Watson"
    Victory at Fort Watson provides a glimpse & shares the view of life on the backcountry frontier of the Santee River.
     Victory at Fort Watson coincides with the Sesquicentennial year long events for Clarendon County and commemorates the 225th anniversary for the 1780 autumn campaigns in St. Marks Parish (Clarendon County), which were:
Aug 20-24, 1780: Battle of Great Savannah or Nelson's Ferry
Oct 25, 1780: Battle of Tearcoat
Nov 7, 1780: Confrontation at Richbourg's Mill
Nov 8, 1780: Chase to Ox Swamp
Nov, 1780: Richardson Cemetery & Tarleton
Dec 12-17, 1780: Battle of Half Way Swamp

Santee National Wildlife Refuge, I-95, Exit 102, US 15/301, Summerton, SC.

Sponsored by Friends of Santee NW Refuge & Swamp Fox Murals Trail Society

Francis Marion, 2nd Regt, South Carolina Continental Line re-enactor Ragu

A great time to discover living history - Did you miss it?.
Revolutionary Encampment & Wildlife Expo
4th Celebration for the Victory at Fort Watson
To commemorate the 225th anniversary of the Battles of 1780.
Santee National Wildlife Refuge
Saturday, October 15, 2005

Celebrate a day in history from 1781.
The British built & held Fort Watson, on top of the Santee Indian Mound, near the Santee River.
Most supplies came by the fort on the King’s Highway from Charleston to Camden.
General Francis Marion was ordered to stop the flow of supplies & burn the boats on the Santee River. Marion, his militia, Colonel “Light Horse” Harry Lee & Lee's Legion of cavalry & infantry (from Virginia) elected to capture Fort Watson & they needed to wait for a cannon to arrive. The British could hold the fort for a long time with their supplies & access to water from Scott’s Lake.
Major Maham suggested building a tower to shoot over the fort walls. After gathering saplings for 3 days, they built the tower overnight.
At dawn the sharpshooters could fire inside the fort. Thus, the British surrendered on April 23, 1781.

Thank you to all the volunteers:
Friends of the Santee National Wildlife Refuge
Refuge Staff
Swamp Fox Murals Trail Society
Clarendon Hall & their trailers
Clarendon Archives
Swamp Fox Archers
Backcountry Volunteers
IGA-Manning, Coca Cola for making this event possible

Check out: SCIway - The South Carolina Information Highway

Rev. battle COs make a plan, by their horses.

Look what you missed.
2nd 'Victory at Fort Watson' Encampment was October 18-19, 2003
2nd SC Re-enactors & Wildlife Exhibits
Santee Indian Mound
Santee National Wildlife Refuge
I-95, Exit 102, Summerton, SC

Victory at Fort Watson provides a glimpse (an opportunity for you to walk where

Francis Marion did in 1781) & share the view of life on the backcountry frontier

of the Santee River. Costumed volunteers and Re-enactors demonstrate

Living History such as: gunsmithing, open-fire cooking and textile production on looms,

blacksmithing, woodworking, pewter working, musket firing and many other activities.

Everyone is invited to play 18th century games and
share Camp life. Wildlife and Nature Expo includes

Guided nature walks/talks, wildlife exhibits & more.
Sponsored by
Friends of Santee NW Refuge &
Swamp Fox Murals Trail Society