Marion frequently went into action with less than three rounds to a man--half of his men were sometimes lookers on because of the lack of arms and ammunition--waiting to see the fall of friends or enemies, in order to obtain the necessary means of taking part in the affair.

Buck-shot easily satisfied soldiers, who not unfrequently advanced to the combat with nothing but swan-shot in their fowling-pieces.
While Horry proceeded towards Georgetown, Marion marched to the upper Santee.

On this march he was advised of the defeat of Gates; but, fearing its effect upon his men, without communicating it, he proceeded immediately toward Nelson's Ferry.

This was a well known pass on the great route, the "war-path", from Charleston to Camden.

Here his scouts advised him of the approach of a strong British guard, with a large body of prisoners taken from Gates.