The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1859-08-04

across the country, SO as to elude all
suspicion, 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 little spring, about two miles from
Savannah, Jasper and Newson seoreted
themselves, awaiting the arrival of the
British escort with their prisoners. 1t
had occurred to Jasper, that, as they
might rest for short time to refresh
themselves-the woody nature of the
spot would favor the rescue.
After some hours anxious suspense,
they saw the escort with their prisoners
approach. The guard was ten in num-
Der, and armed. The corporal with
four men conducted their captives to
the water, and told them to rest them
selves for an hour; at the same time
giving them some provisions. The SER
geant then told the men to ground
arms and seat themselves. The pris-
oners laid themselves upon the earth in
hopeless despair. Near to the wretched
man sat his wife and child. Two of
the men kept their arms as sentries.
As the rest of the men were filling their
cantcens with water, Jasper and New
son came stealthily from their ambush
seized two of the muskets that were
stacked shot the two sehtries, and rush
ing upon the others stunned them with
the butt of their weapons. Deprived
Of their arms, the others abandoned
the conflict and fed
Releasing the prisoners, they escaped
across the river 10 the Americans.
Butthe most romantic incident in this
brave mans life was his love for Miss
Sally St. Clair, or, as she is termed in
our annals, the Maiden Warrior. This
was beautiful creole girl who returned
his passion with purity and intensity
seldom known on earth. When he was
called upon to join the defenders of his
country, her grief was unbounded.
Their hour of parting came, and after
the tenderest of adieus the gallant sol
dier sprang upon his horse, and joined
his regiment.
| Scarcely had the sound OF his horses
feet died upon the air, than her roman
tic brain suggested the plan of rejoin-
ing her lover by enlisting in the same
brigade. She resolved to put her pro-
Iject into immediate operation.
Securing suit Of male attire about
her own size, she severed her long and
Ijetty ringlets, dressed her hair like a
mans and purchasing horse, she set
off three days after, alone, to offer her
services to the noble Marion. Her of
fer was accepted, and little active
stripping was added to the corps to
which her lover belonged. The con-
trast between the stripping aud these
men, in their uncouth garbs, massive
faces, embrowred and discolored BY
rain, was indeed striking. But none
were so eager for the battle, or so in
different to fatigue, as the fair faced
E boy. 1t was found that his energy o.
character, resolution and courage, am
ply supplied his lack of physique
None ever suspected him to be a wo
man.. Not even Jasper himself, al
though she was often by his side, pen
etrated her disguise.
The romance of her situation in
; creased the fervor of her passion. /
, was her delight to reflect that, unknown
to him, she was by his side, watching
over him in the hour of danger. Sh,
I fed her passion by gazing ON him in thu
hour of slnmber, lowering near him
! when stealing through the swamp ant
thicket, and being always ready t.
avert danger from his head.
But gradually there stole a melan
: choly presentiment over the poor girl'
mind. She had been tortured will
e hopes deferred; the war was prolonged
t and the prospect of being restored t.
, him grew more and more uncertain
But now she felt that her dreams o
, happiness could be realized. She be
: came convinced that death was abou
!. to snatch her away from his side; bu
/ she prayed that she might die, and h,
t never know to what length the violenc,
I of passion had led her.
3 1t was an eve before battle. TIL,
camp had sunk in repose. The watcl
q fires were burning low, and only tn
t slow tread of sentinels fell upon tn
1 profound silence of the night air, a
e they moved through the dark shadow
of the forest. Stretched upon tn
f ground, with no other couch than