CHAPTER 8.
Organization of "Marion's Brigade"-- Surprise of Tories under Gainey--Defeat of Barfield--Capture of British Guard with Prisoners at Nelson's Ferry.
The people of Williamsburg, by whom Marion was summoned from the camp of Gates, were sprung generally from Irish parentage.

They inherited, in common with all the descendants of the Irish in America, a hearty detestation of the English name and authority.

This feeling rendered them excellent patriots and daring soldiers, wherever the British Lion was the object of hostility.

Those of whom we are now to speak, the people of Williamsburg, were men generally of fearless courage, powerful frame, well-strung nerves, and an audacious gallantry that led them to delight in dangers, even where the immediate objects by no means justified the risk.

They felt that "rapture of the strife", in which the Goth exulted.