The Cecil Whig., 1859-08-06
Gcllft Gtorp.
THE MAIDEN WARRIOR.

world has produced nobler instances of
hcroism than that of our own glorious
revolution. The achievements which
light up the cNpansc Of that deadly con-
tiict like stars in the frnamcnt, put to
shame the mclodramatic heroes of Greece:
indeed, it is not too much TO say, that
every mountain pass has been Thcrmo-
plltr, and every battle plain Marathon.
Occasionally these deeds Of war have
been lightened by that sweetest of all
passions, love; and it is a tale of love
and patriotism We have now to tell.
Sergeant Jasper belonged to that
most famous of all heroic bands, Marion's
brigade, where his valor and talents
soon won him distinction. Among other
daring deeds, his rcscuing our flag at the
battle of Fort Moultric deserves to be
mentioned. In the bottest fire Of the
conflict, the flag Of the fort was shot
away, and fell without the fort. Leaping
over the rampant, he seized the flag, aud
returned amid the cheers Of even the
British. For this daring deed, Gen.
Rutlcdgc presented him with sword.
Like many other families at that time,
lis was divided on the great question:
His older brother took the side Of the
English, and served in their army
Out of affection to his brother, and
wish to examine into the strength and
condition Of the enemy, he resolved,
with another patriot soldier, Sergeant
Newton, to pay the British camp visit.
His brothers position in it, enabled him
to receive two friends without any sus-
piciun of their being spies, and they
were entertained for two or three days
with great hospitality.
While they were thus engaged, a small
party Of Americans were brought in
prisoners, and as they had deserted from
the British, and enlisted in the American
ranks, their doom would have been death.
This the brother of Jasper assured him
was to be their fate. With them were
the wife and child Of one of the prisoners.
Her distress at her husbands approach
ing fate touched the human heart of
Jasper Confding his purpose to his
friend, Sergeant Newton, they Iadc a}ieu
to Jaspcr's brother, and took their leave
They had no sooner got out of sight of the
camp than they made a defour, stretched
across the country SO as to oludc all sus.
picion, should they meet with any British
soldiers.
1t was the custom of the English then
to send all the prisoners taken in that
quarter to Savannah for trial. At Il
little spring, about two miles from
Savannah, Jasper and Newton secrctcd
themselves awaiting the arrival of the
British escort with their prisoncrs.-
1t had occurred to jasper that they must
pass this spot, it was probable they nj ght
rest here fora short time to refresh them
selves, and the woody nature of the spot
would favor rescue.
After sonie hours anxious suspense,
they saw the escort with their prisoners
approach. The guard was ten in number,
and armed. The corporal, with four
mcn, conducted thcir captivcs to the.
water, and told them to rest themselves
for an hour, at the same time giving
them some provisions. The Sergeant
then told the men to ground arms, and
scat themselves. The prisoners threw
themselves upon the earth in hopeless
despair. Neart6 the wretclIed man sat
his wife and child. Two Of the men
alone kept their arms as sentrics. AS
the rest Of the men were filing their
canteens with water, Jasper and Newton
came stealtLily, seized two of the muskets
that were stacked, shot the two scntries,
and rushing upon the ethors stunned
them with the butts of their weapons.-
Deprived of ther arms, the others
abandoned the conflict and fed.
Releasing the prisoners, they escaped
across to the river to the Americans.
But the most romantic incident in this
brave mans life was his love for Miss
Sally st. Clair, or, rs she is termed in
Cur annals, the Maiden Warrior. This
was "A beautiful creole girl, who returned
his passion with a purity and intensity
seldom known on earth. When he was
called upon TO join the defenders of his
coantry, her grief was unbounded.--