The Dead Warrior Society

Zachary Masek
  • 4.8 (19)
  • HISTORY
  • UPDATED DAILY

Exploring history's greatest soldiers, warriors, and armies throughout the ages. The Dead Warrior Society uses contemporary accounts of what actually happened from those who saw it as well as scholarly research.  For full length episodes and video visit https://www.youtube.com/@DeadWarriorSociety

  1. Improvised Siege Warfare: The Swamp Fox Takes the Forts

    5D AGO

    Improvised Siege Warfare: The Swamp Fox Takes the Forts

    In this episode of the Dead Warrior Society Podcast, we break down one of the most impressive—and least conventional—campaigns of the American Revolution: Francis Marion’s siege operations alongside Light Horse Harry Lee. Following up on the last episode, we pick up as Marion and Lee reunite after Cornwallis abandons South Carolina, leaving British forces stretched thin and increasingly defensive. What follows is a rapid series of assaults on British strongpoints—Fort Watson, Fort Motte, and ultimately Georgetown—that demonstrate how a partisan commander adapted siege warfare to the realities of guerrilla conflict. We explore how Marion, a leader who openly disliked sieges and lacked proper artillery, still managed to crack fortified positions through creativity, discipline, and relentless pressure. From the construction of Maham’s Tower at Fort Watson to the decision to burn Fort Motte before British reinforcements could arrive, this episode highlights problem-solving under extreme constraints—limited manpower, low ammunition, sickness, collapsing morale, and constant time pressure. Along the way, we examine the broader operational picture: why occupying armies rely on forts and garrisons, how their loss signals a collapsing hold on territory, and why Greene’s strategy of targeting British outposts marked a turning point in the Southern Campaign. We also cover Marion’s fixation on Georgetown, the psychological impact of these victories, and how the fall of inland forts effectively severed Britain’s ability to sustain operations in South Carolina. This is not just a story about militia and swamps—it’s a case study in adaptive warfare, leadership under stress, and unconventional thinkers solving conventional problems.

    33 min
  2. The Swamp Fox and His Guerrillas Turn Pro

    DEC 5

    The Swamp Fox and His Guerrillas Turn Pro

    In today’s episode, we kick things off by breaking down U.S. Army Unconventional Warfare doctrine, focusing on the pivotal moment when a guerrilla force begins transitioning into a legitimate or semi-professional army—the point where irregular fighters start coordinating with conventional forces and become something far more capable than hit-and-run raiders. From doctrine, we turn to history. We dive deep into the complex and crucial relationship between General Nathanael Greene and Francis “Swamp Fox” Marion. We explore how Greene recognized Marion’s strategic value, tasked him to continue his partisan campaign in the South Carolina low country, and relied on him to gather the intelligence that shaped Continental operations. At the same time, Marion’s band of guerrillas established their legendary G-Base at Snow’s Island—a hidden sanctuary, logistics hub, and center of operations that allowed the partisans to grow in strength, discipline, and capability. Finally, we move into the heart of the episode: The Bridges Campaign. This is where Marion’s men—once irregulars lurking in the swamps—evolve into a real fighting force, capable of taking on British regulars in open combat and defeating Lt. Col. Watson in a sustained campaign. If you’re fascinated by the Southern Campaign of the Revolutionary War, the evolution of guerrilla forces, or the roots of modern UW doctrine, this episode is packed with insight, grit, and lessons that echo into today.

    36 min
  3. Swamp Fox vs. Bloody Ban: Counter Insurgency Lessons from 1780

    NOV 22

    Swamp Fox vs. Bloody Ban: Counter Insurgency Lessons from 1780

    In this episode of Dead Warrior Society, we dive into the brutal and chaotic months of November and December 1780, when Francis Marion—the legendary “Swamp Fox”—went head-to-head with Banastre Tarleton, Britain’s feared cavalry commander. We break down the skirmishes, raids, and psychological warfare that defined their clashes and helped shape the southern campaign of the American Revolution. But this episode goes far beyond battlefield maneuvers. We take a deep, unflinching look at counterinsurgency (COIN)—long before the term existed—examining how the British utterly failed to win the hearts and minds of the Carolina populace. Instead of stabilizing the region, British policies, reprisals, and missteps inflamed resistance, strengthened insurgent networks, and turned neutral civilians into active supporters of Marion’s guerrilla campaign.

    23 min
  4. The Master of Chaos: Francis Marion's Raid at Black Mingo and Tearcoat Swamp

    OCT 29

    The Master of Chaos: Francis Marion's Raid at Black Mingo and Tearcoat Swamp

    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.

    56 min
  5. FIRST STRIKE: The Swamp Fox and his Guerrillas Raid Sumter's Plantation

    OCT 19

    FIRST STRIKE: The Swamp Fox and his Guerrillas Raid Sumter's Plantation

    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/

    44 min
  6. The Birth of The Swamp Fox: The Early Life and Exploits of Francis Marion

    OCT 2

    The Birth of The Swamp Fox: The Early Life and Exploits of Francis Marion

    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.

    1h 13m
  7. The Fort Bragg Cartel: The Grift That Keeps On Grifting

    SEP 20

    The Fort Bragg Cartel: The Grift That Keeps On Grifting

    In this episode, we dive deep into Seth Harp’s new exposé on what he calls the “Fort Bragg Cartel.” The book offers a sweeping, revisionist take on American history and the U.S. military’s involvement in the Middle East, with a particular focus on JSOC’s operations both at home and abroad. Harp paints a damning picture of systemic immorality among American GIs, using the murder of Will Lavgin, Leshikar, and Dumas as a narrative Trojan Horse to advance his central thesis: that the United States and its military are equally culpable in a broader cycle of violence and dysfunction. In the process, he concocts a sweeping conspiracy theory involving the U.S. government, the CIA, and JSOC—alleging their complicity in a secret drug trafficking pipeline from Afghanistan to the United States.

    51 min
  8. El Cid: At War With Everyone

    SEP 16

    El Cid: At War With Everyone

    After King Alfonso VI is defeated by the Almoravids, he pardons El Cid in hopes of forming new alliances. But within a year, Rodrigo is exiled once again—estranged from his king and cast back into the wilderness. Refusing to serve another Christian or Muslim lord, El Cid chooses a new path: to serve only himself. He wages war on all sides—against Alfonso VI, local Christian rulers, and the invading Almoravid forces from North Africa. Meanwhile, Yusuf ibn Tashfin, Emir of the Almoravids, launches a second invasion of the Iberian Peninsula. This time, he targets not only the Christians but also native Muslim rulers, accusing them of apostasy and alliances with Christian kings. Despite numerous setbacks, El Cid secures control of Valencia. As the Almoravid army advances to reclaim the city and capture him, El Cid prepares for the ultimate showdown.

    1h 21m
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About

Exploring history's greatest soldiers, warriors, and armies throughout the ages. The Dead Warrior Society uses contemporary accounts of what actually happened from those who saw it as well as scholarly research.  For full length episodes and video visit https://www.youtube.com/@DeadWarriorSociety

Information

  • Creator
    Zachary Masek
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    38
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 The Dead Warrior Society
  • Show Website
    The Dead Warrior Society

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