Wisconsin tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1847-1854, 1852-08-12
GBGt&CGUJaMp.
RJEANT JASPER.
A TALE OF THE REVOLUTION.

ry, commanded by Colonel Moultrie He
distinguished himself in particular man
ner at the attack which was made upon
Fort Moultrie, on Sullivan's Island, the
9th of June, l776. In the warmest part
of the contest, the flag gstaff was severed
by a cannon ball and the flag fell to the
bottom of the ditch on the outside of the
works. This accident was considered by
the anxious inhabitants of Charleston as
putting an end to the contest, by striking
the American flag to the enemy. The
moment that Jasper made the discovery
that the flag had fallen he jumped from
one of the embrasures, and mounted the
colors, which he tied to a sponge-staff, and
replanted on the parape t, where he sup
ported them until another flag staff was
procured The subsequent activity and
enterprise of this patriot, induced Col.
Moultrie to give him a sort of froving com
mission, to 60 and come at pleasure, con-
hdent that he was always usefully en-
ployed. He was privileged to select such
men from the regiment as he should choose,
to accompany him In his enterprises. His
parties consisted generally of five or six,
and be often returned with prisoners be-
fore Moultrie was apprised of his absence
Jasper was distinguished for his humane
treatment when an enemy fell into his
power. His ambition appears TO have
been limited to 60 with the characteristics
of bravery, humanity and usefulness to
the cause in which he was engaged. When
1t was in his power to kill, but not capture
1t was his practice to permit a single pris-
oner to escape. By this sagacty and en-
terprise he often succeeded In the capture
of those who were lying in ambush for him.
In one of these excursions, an instance
of bravery and humanity is recorded by
the biographer of General Marion, which
would stagger credulity if it were not well
attested While he was examining the
British camp at Ebenezer, all thesympathy
of his great heart was awakened by the
distressess ola Mrs. Jones, whose husband,
an American by birth, had taken the kings
protection, and had been confined in irons
for deserting the royal cause after he had
taken the oath of allegiance. Her we'll
founded belief was that nothing short of
the life of her husband would atone for the
offence with which he was charged An
ticipation Of the awful scene of beloved
husband expiring upon gibbet, had ex
cited in her inexpressible emotions Of
grief and distraction
panion, Sergeant Newton, whose feelings
for the distressed female and her child
were equally excited with his own, upon
the practicability of releasing Jones from
his impending fate Though they were
unable to suggest plan of operation, they
were determined to watch for the most
favorable opportunity, and make the effort
The departure of j ones and several others
I'll a l. 4 i
guard, consisting of a sergeant, a cOrpor
al and eight men was ordered upon the
succeeding morning. Within two miles
from Savannah about thirty yards from
the main road, is spring of fine water,
surrounded by deep and thick under
wood, where travellers often halt to refresh
themselves with cool draught from the
pure fountain. Jasper and his companion
considered this the most favorable spot to
their enterprise They accordingly pas
sed the guard, and concealed themselves
near the spring When the enemy came
up, they halted, and only two of the guard
remained with the prisoners, while the
other leaned their guns against trees IN
careless manner, and went to the spring.
Jasper and Newton seized two muskets,
and disabled the two sentlnels. The pos
session of all the arms placed the enemy
in their power, and compelled them to sur
render. The irons were taken off, and
arms put in the hands of those who had
been prisoners, and the whole party ar
rived at Perrysburgh the next morning,
and joined the American camp.
There are few instances upon record
where personal exertions, even for self-pre-
servation from certain prospects of death,
would have induced resort to an act so
desperate of execution. How much more
laudable was this where the spring to &C
tion was reused by the lamentations of
female unknown to the adventurers
Subsequent to the gallant defence at
Sullivan's Island Col. Moultrie's regiment
was presented with a stand of colors by
Mrs Elliot, which she had richly embroid-
cred with her own hands, and as a reward
for Jasper's particular merit, Gov. Rut-
ledge presented him with very handsome
sword. During the assault against Savan-
nah. two officers had been killed and one
wounded, endeavoring to plant these col
ors upon the enemy's parapet upon the
spring-hill redoubt. just before the re-
treat was ordered, Jasper endeavored to
replace them upon the works, and while
, he was in the act received a mortal wound,
and fell into the ditch. When a retreat
was ordered, he recollected the honorable
conditions upon which the donor present
ed the colors to his regiment, and among
the last acts of his life succeeded in bring
ing them off Major Horny called to see
l him soon after the retreat, to whom, it is
said, he made the following communica-
ton:
Il have got my furlough. That sword
was presented to me by Gov. Rutledge,
for my services in the defence Of Fort
Moultrie Give it to my father, and tell
+ him [ have worn it in honor. If the old
man should weep, tell him his son died in
hone of better life. Tell Mrs. Elliot
that lost my life supporting the colors
which she presented to our regiment.
Should you ever see Jones, his wife and
son, tell them that Jasper is gone, but