New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-02-05
A JERSEY HEROINE.


TRENTON, Feb. ], 1861.
It is singular how unexpectedly our heroes, and our
heroines too start up into public favor sometimes by
a single stroke of courage or judgment at the perilous
moment. Heroes they must have always been, but
opportunity WIS wanting. That present, and at
single bound they take position in public confidence.
We all remember how General Taylors vctoriousprog
res. toward Mexico sstonished the country by the
sudden discovery of his traDscendent military capacity,
and how the country aiterward, by general aeelama-
tion heaped upon him its greatest honors Ii was just
so in the case of Major Anderson. single glorious
act has enabled him to carve hs high up upOnthe
shaft of military enown. Tie reward is yet TO come.
But Lieut.. Semmer, now in command of Fort Pckenf,
and Lis heroic wife, are entitled to more public con.
sidern,ion than they have yet received This officer,
and hs parents are all natives of Montgomery Coun-
", Pennsy lyGuia. Both bis grandfathers fought ut
Trenton, PRINCETON, and Monmouth. lie graduated
witt horor at West Point, served in Florida agaiEs.
the Seninoles there promoted and ordered TO Cali
fona and being again promoted, was ordered to Fort
Moultre. He afterward entered the Coast Survey az
the invitation Of Professor Bayhe. But he bad hardly
accepted tits duty when the superintendent OF the
West Point Academy, knowing his high qlAilh ations,
applied to the Secretary OF War for the appointments
If Lieut.. Semmer Us teacher there. There he re-
manned -four years, was then ordered to Fort Moultne
"A second iime aud thence 20 Isac0L where his conn
McRLe.
1t was while here, occupying the barracks that he
performed tie brilliant feat If transferring LIS little
command from weak position 10 the inpregnaole one
of Fort Pickeus lie thus foied the rebels In theI
PLANS against q at important position as completely US
did Major Andenon. There he isnow, commandugtne
barbor and by ncessant labor In putting the fortress IN
fighting condition, his little band Of heroes may be re-
liz on TO do their whole duy 70 the Union. Ds'anee
has deprived him of much Of the no,orlety when mas
attended the movement at Fort Sumter. But Llehen'
ant Slemmer acted bis responsibility, and Inc
did After the barracks had been hastily evacuated
that even Mrs. Slemmers trunks and clothes were leh
behind In the hurry the rebels took possession MIS-
Sermer took boat and returned to the barracks 70 CO.
tain them The sentry stopped her and demaI ded ner
busiuess but she pushed bvoly on, and entering the
barracks asked that tie trunks containing her
might be given up. Though 10 insulting demonstr
lion was made vet the rebels refused her. III was tehe
fire of her heroic soul broke forth. "Then, said she,
az will take command Of one OF Lieutenant nieE-
mers guns Myself and when he gives the word 10 nr''
will batter down your barracks r..r.
This lady, whose name is Csr1iihe, S Go, Ue Pey.
woman the Youngest daughter of the Rev. John Key
nolds of the III isc opal Church, formerly chaplain Ia
the navy aud long resident Of Burlington, where
bis three daughters educated at ST. Mary haii'
She graduated there when only fifteen years OF sge.
aud il but twenty now. She was distinguished -
school for great aptitude Tor learning anu 'elIS
fonduess for reading Out Of school though geheraiy
seen with some miscellaneous book in hand, le! "
school she was probably never known TO be oeheen'
with her lesson Her education has been very eo-'
plete Her intellectual faculties are OF the mehes'
Der. Her mind is quick, srong, and courageous
ing her speech 10 the rebels exactly wnas QUO "a.
have expected from such heroine. In lace ana ie
ture she is extremely progressing, with very cHL .
waiting manners. She is worthy to DO me wne " WV
hero VI Fort Pickeus.