South Carolina Unveils Second Volume of Francis Marion Papers

South Carolina, October 27, 2025

News Summary

The South Carolina Battleground Preservation Trust has released the second volume of the Francis Marion Papers, featuring documents from 1781, highlighting key Revolutionary War battles. This volume offers new insights into General Francis Marion’s strategies and his contributions during the Southern Campaign. The initiative aims to provide educational access to these important historical documents, fostering a connection with South Carolina’s revolutionary heritage. The first volume was released earlier in 2025, and the third volume is expected in early 2026.

South Carolina Releases Second Volume of Francis Marion Papers, Illuminating Revolutionary War History

The South Carolina Battleground Preservation Trust has released the second volume of the Francis Marion Papers, a significant collection of Revolutionary War documents associated with General Francis Marion, known as the Swamp Fox. This volume was made available on October 20, 2025, and features materials from 1781, a critical year during the Southern Campaign of the Revolutionary War.

Historical engagements highlighted in this second volume include:

• The Battle of Cowpens in January
• The Battle of Hobkirk’s Hill in April
• The Siege of Ninety-Six from May to June
• The battles at Quinby Bridge and Shubrick’s Plantation in July
• The Battle of Parker’s Ferry in August
• The Battle of Eutaw Springs in September

This volume offers a wealth of primary sources along with editorial notes that provide insights into Marion’s strategies and his role in the defeat of the British Southern Strategy. Officials stated that the second volume offers insights not available to earlier historians and biographers, revealing Marion’s focus on duty.

The Francis Marion Papers aim to provide a closer look at Marion’s challenges and successes during the American Revolution. The preservation trust has emphasized that preserving and publishing these papers is about safeguarding history and making it accessible for education and heritage tourism. The initiative is intended to connect future generations with South Carolina’s role in the fight for independence.

The first volume was released on February 27, 2025, in collaboration with the South Carolina American Revolution Sestercentennial Commission (SC250) and included over 600 documents. It was made available digitally and for free to the public, which encourages access for teachers, students, and history enthusiasts.

Historically, Marion’s legacy has been shaped by folklore, and these documents are expected to challenge assumptions about his character and military tactics. The project has been a significant collaboration involving historians and researchers across multiple institutions, originating as a concept in 2005. The preservation trust and the commission aim to illuminate previously untold aspects of Marion’s life and military contributions.

The release of the third volume is anticipated for early 2026.

Key Features of the Francis Marion Papers

• Second volume released on October 20, 2025
• Includes documents from 1781
• Highlights key battles of the Southern Campaign
• Provides editorial insights into Marion’s strategies
• First volume released on February 27, 2025, contains over 600 documents
• Third volume anticipated for early 2026

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Additional Resources

• WBTV: South Carolina Releases Second Volume of Francis Marion Papers
• Globe Newswire: Francis Marion Papers Now Available to the Public
• Fox Carolina: Letters of SC Revolutionary War General Released to Public for First Time
• SC Daily Gazette: Group Works to Preserve, Celebrate SC’s Outsized Role in Revolutionary War
• Charleston City Paper: Two from Charleston Get Major State Cultural Awards
• Wikipedia: Francis Marion
• Google Search: Francis Marion
• Google Scholar: Francis Marion
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Francis Marion
• Google News: Francis Marion

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