The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1874-04-03

The Quaker poet Whittier, in one Of his
varlike lyrics-lyr;cs made up of the clash
CT cymbals, the peal of trumpets and the
roll of drums--breaks out in the following
strain:
%a MGe2e TF2@ ha"n5sG nffyTs fe
BY every shrine OF patriot blood.
From Moultrie's wall and Jasper,s weII!''
Now, while doubtless nearly all of my
readers have heard of Eataw and Camden
and Fort Moultrie, probably very few
have heard of Sergeant Jasper, and even
fewer of the exploit which has given the
name OF 'Jasper's WELL to the southern
locality at which it occurred.
Sergeant Jasper, sfter.his gallant beha-
vior at Fort Moul;rie, was one of the most
distinguished Of that little band of heroes
who served under Marion, and kept a foot
hold for liberty in the Carolinas and Geor-
gia, when the British cause seemed to be
everywhere triumphant.
Jasper hesitated not to leave the camp
again within the British lines, in order
that he might obtain information Of pro-
iected movements. And it was in one OF
these expeditions as a spy, when he was
accompanied by a comrade named Newton,
that the following romantic incident oc-
Cured.
Two miles from Savannah, in tho noble
old State of Georgis-one of the glorious
cold Thirtccn'-there is famous spring,
which is we'll known to travellers. Here
one day guard of British soldiers halted
to rest. Nor they alone. Captive Ameri-
cans, accused of treason-inasmuch as
they had accepted a protection" from
the British commander, and afterward,
whom the American army had entered that
part Of the country Joined the ranks OF
/ their patriot countrymen-sad and down
| cast, for they knew their doom was death,
| also flung themselves down in the grateful
| shade of the trees that surrounded the
well of the spring.
/ One of these sad-eved prisoners was
man whose only daughter was with him
resolved to abide by her beloved father to
the last She was beautiful dark-eyed
Southern girl, named Sallie st. Clair
The writer Of this would be proud to know
that kindred blood to hers runs in his own
veins.
Jasper and his comrade had marked
this sad procession, slowly vending its
dusty way to Savannah and the giboet-
and Jasper's heart had been especially
toucbed by the sorrowful yet glorious bean
tv of Sallie St. Clair "We will rescue
,bsm. or die - exclaimed he to his brave
companion, with set lips
A bold thought-for they vere two L
tep-and, besides, they were entirely un
armed But in great cause great soup
count not the odds. Two meu with 1o'
. are match for thousand mere myrmi
T dons of tyranny.
These men of Marion's pushed on ant
,,o+ IN advance Of the soldiers and thel
yictims. A sudden thought struck Jas
nor as he marked the cool shade OF tn
:, .;,r ssHere they will rest awhile-le
us conceal ourselves in this thicKe'' Sal
. he. -.
I If WAS as he had supposed. Soon III
4 British guard came up, halted and s.aoke
their muske.s. All but four-two OF tines
remained on guard by the muskets-t"
others went to the spring for water. ne
the latter had reached the sPrihs' U"'
s leaned their muskets against tree pr
t paratory to dipping up the Wat0r'
- This was the auspicious moment. LoA
. ing out from their ambush, Jasper Al
II Newton each seized a musket. Cluooil
G. them, they knocked the two soldiers sens
- less-then springiug like lions upon u
/ lad
NJ ~ nuskets, and who hardly knew what
ls- do in their surprise, they shot them dsa