In this episode of Dead Warrior Society, we dive deep into the origins of Unconventional Warfare (UW) through the lens of one of America’s earliest masters of chaos—Francis Marion, the legendary Swamp Fox.
Before there was doctrine, there was instinct—and Marion’s instinct was insurgency. We break down how his campaigns during the Revolutionary War, especially the raids at Black Mingo and Tearcoat Swamp, reveal timeless principles of guerrilla warfare that still echo in modern U.S. Army UW doctrine.

From maintaining local support and living off the land, to targeting vulnerable Tory militias for resupply, Marion’s small, agile bands of fighters waged a campaign that bogged down Cornwallis in the Carolina low country and reshaped how wars could be fought.
Join us as we explore how Francis Marion embodied the insurgent leader’s mindset—disrupting a superior enemy, inspiring resistance, and proving that chaos, when mastered, can be a weapon.

In this episode, we uncover the daring exploits of Francis Marion, the legendary “Swamp Fox” of the American Revolution. Known for his mastery of guerrilla warfare in the swamps of South Carolina, Marion led a small, determined band of Patriots who struck fear into the British with swift, unexpected attacks.

Our story centers on the Raid at Sumter's Plantation, where Marion and his men launched a surprise assault on an abandoned plantation house being used by the British as a holding site for captured Continental soldiers. Against the odds, Marion’s guerrillas stormed the estate, overwhelming the guards and freeing nearly 150 American prisoners in a bold act of defiance.

Join us as we explore how Marion’s tactics, leadership, and deep knowledge of the Carolina backcountry helped shape the course of the Revolution—and turned the Swamp Fox into one of America’s first masters of unconventional warfare.

Use Code DEADWARRIOR for 15% off
DAC Tents: https://dactents.com/

In this episode of the Dead Warrior Society Podcast, we dive deep into the life, legend, and legacy of Francis Marion, better known as the "Swamp Fox." Far more than just a cunning guerrilla fighter, Marion's story is one of faith, conviction, and transformation through conflict.

We begin with his early life in the backcountry of South Carolina, examining the religious and moral foundations that shaped his worldview. From his formative experience as a young lieutenant in the brutal Cherokee War, Marion was forged in the crucible of frontier warfare. We explore his lesser-known training and combat experience alongside Robert Rogers’ Rangers, a school of irregular warfare that would prove vital in his later success.
But Marion’s war wasn’t just against the British—it was a brutal and complex civil war within the colonies themselves. We dig into the cultural and political milieu of South Carolina, where neighbors became enemies in the savage struggle between Whigs and Tories.

We also spotlight his role in the defense of Sullivan’s Island, one of the key early victories of the American Revolution, and the lessons learned there in defying the might of the British Empire with limited resources and unconventional tactics.