White, J.B. “Gen. Marion in His Swamp Encampment Inviting a British Officer to Dinner”

J. B. White (1781-1859).  “Gen. Marion in His Swamp Encampment Inviting a British Officer to Dinner.”  From Godey’s Magazine. 

Philadelphia, ca. 1845.  5 x 6 (image).  Engraved by J. N. Gimbrede.  Very good condition.

Drawn by John Blake White, the image shows the historic meeting between the “Swamp Fox” and a British officer.  British troops in South Carolina were hard pressed by Marion and were hoping for a ‘regular’ battle in the open rather than a continuation of Marion’s guerrilla tactics.  The officer, captured by Marion, was surprised to be offered a civil and refined reception by Marion, who the British had characterized as a coarse and crude ruffian.  White’s image depicts some interesting details: the handkerchief that was used to blindfold the officer and the dinner of sweet potato that Marion invited the officer to share.