Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1860-04-11
miscellaneous.
A MAIDEN WARRIOR.
A TALE OF THF REVOLUTION.

No struggle in history has produced moro
| noble instances of heroism, than that of our
| own glorious Revolution.
The achievements which light up the ex-
panse of the deadly conflict, like the stars in
the armament, put to shame the melodra-
| matte heroes of Greece; indeed it is too much
to say that every mountain pass has been 4
Thermopylae, and every battle field Mara
thon.
Occasionally those deeds of war have been
lighted by the sweetest of all passions, love;
and it is tale of love and patriotism We
have now to tell.
Sergeant Jasper belonged to that gallant
band, Marrlon's Brigade, where his valor and
talents soon won him distinction. Among
other daring deeds his rescuing our flag at
the battle of Fort Moultrie deserves to be
mentioned. In the hostile conflict the h az
was shot away aud fell without the fort
Leaping over the rampant he seized the flag,
and returned amidst the shouts of even the
British. For the daring deed, Gen. Ru.-
lege presented him with sword
Like many other families at that time, his
was divided on that great occasion. His OIL
der 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 rcsol-
we'd on condition in company with another pa
trl?t soldier. Sergeant Newton. to pay the
British a visit. His brothers position in it.
enabled him to receive bis two friends with
out any suspicion of their being spies, and
they were entertained for two or three days
with great hospitality.
While they were thus engaged, a 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 to die.
This the brother of Jasper assured him was
to be their fate. With them were the wife
and child of one of these prisoners Her
husbands approaching fate touched the heart
of Jasper. Con6ding in his friend Newton,
they bade adieu to Jasper's brother and took
their leave. They had no sooner got outside
of that camp, than they made detOur and
stretched across the country SO as to elude
all suspicion should they meet any British
soldiers.
1t was the custom of the English then to
send all the prisoners taken n that quarter to
Savannah
At little spring about two miles of from
the latter place, Jasper and Newton secreted
themselves, awaited the arrival of their pris-
oners. 1t had occurred to Jasper, perhaps
d
themselves-and the woody nature of the
spot would favor their rescue.
After some anxious suspense they saw the
escort with their prisoners approach. The
guard was ten in number and armed. The
Corporal with four men conducted their cap-
tives to the water, and told them to rest them
selves for an hour, at the same time giving
them some provisions.
The Sergeant then told the men that they
should ground their arms and rest themselves.
The prisoners then threw themselves upon |
the earth in hopeless despair. Near to the |
wretched man and the wife and child, two of |
the men kept their arms as sentinels As |
the rest of the men were filling their can
teens with water, Jasper and Newton came |
along behind them, seized two of |
the muskets that were stacked, shot the two |
and rushing upon the others, stun
ned them with the butts of their muskets
Deprived of their arms, they abandoned |
the conflict and fed. Releasing the prison. |
ers, they escaped across the river to the
Americans.
But the 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 a beautiful Creole girl, who re-
turned his passions with purity and inten-
sity seldom known upon this cold orb.
When he was called upon to join the de-
tenders of lis country, her grief knew no
bounds. The hour of parting came, and the
gallant soldier sprang upon his horse and join
ed his regiment
Hardly had the sound Of horses feet died