He was unfortunate in the attempt; the apartment was on the second story, the height considerable, and the adventure cost him a broken ankle.

The injury was a severe and shocking one, and, for the time, totally unfitted him for service.

He left the city in a litter, while the passage to the country still remained open for retreat, in obedience to an order of General Lincoln for the departure of all idle mouths, "all supernumerary officers, and all officers unfit for duty." Marion retired to his residence in St.John's parish.

Here, suffering in mind and body, he awaited with impatience the progress of events, with which, however much he might sympathize, he could not share.

His humiliation at this unavoidable but melancholy inaction, may be imagined from what we know of his habits and his patriotism.
The siege of Charleston, in consequence of the firm bearing of the besieged, and the cautious policy of the British Government, was protracted long after the works had been pronounced untenable.