Our success in the recruiting business far exceeded our expectations,
for in a very short time we made up our full complement of sixty men each.
I have often lamented it as a most serious misfortune that we did not enlist
for the war. I am certain we could as easily have enlisted for the war
as for six months. We should then have had a host of veterans,
masters of their dreadful art, inured to hardships, scornful of danger,
and completely able to purge our country of her cruel invaders.

As a place of greater security from the enemy's vessels, Dorchester had
been pitched on as a deposite for ammunition and military stores,
and put under a guard of militia. But fearing that the tories
might rise upon this slender force and take away our powder,
an article, at that time, of incalculable value, the council of safety
advised to add a company of regulars, under some brave and vigilant officer.
Marion had the honor to be nominated to the command,
and, on the 19th of November, 1775, marched to the post, where he continued,
undisturbed by the tories, until Christmas, when he was ordered
down to Charleston to put fort Johnson in a state of defence.

About this time an affair happened in Charleston, which filled with horror
all who witnessed it. Captain Fuller, of the second regiment,
a gentleman in other respects very amiable and exemplary,
gave himself up to hard drinking, and to such an excess as brought on
an inflammation in the brain. In this frantic state, with wild rolling eyes,
and a face shockingly bloated and red, he would behave for all the world
as if he were leading his men into action. "Come on, my brave fellows,"
he would cry, "now be cool and steady -- reserve your fire till I say the word
-- now give it to them, my heroes -- hurra, they run, they run.
I thank you, my lads, for your gallantry in your country's cause."