The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1881-04-07
AN INTERESTING CAREER.
The COmmander-in-ChieT OF all the B0
Arm1eR.

The COmmander-in-Chief OF all the BoeY
Armies.
Jacob Joubert and wife Barbara arrived in
Fayette County, Pa, from Holland in 1910,
and in 1841 Barbara gave birth to o son, which
the fond parents christened 'Daniel Sturgeon
Joubert." Senator Sturgeon purchased for the
infant stylish new dress Of rich material. In
consequence Jacob and Barbara were the
proudest and happiest of the Dutch couples,
and hence grew tired of informing their neigh
bors in wretchedly broken English that the
Honor ,ble Senator had condescended to clothe
their newly-born infant. In 1845 they changed
their residence to Connellsville, in the same
county, where by the patient and untiring in
dustry Characteristic of their nation they ac-
cumulated some money.
About 1850, or probably later, both parents
died suddenly of cholera, leaving their only
child, little Daniel. The little fellow was prop
erly cared for by kind neighbor, and his par
ents' money, amounting to about 800, placed
ON interest. In 1855 his benefactor emigrated
to the West, intending to take the orphan
along. Arriving at Pittsburs the boy ran away
and returned to Connellsville. For an alleged
assault and battery on one johnson on April
IL, he was arrested and lodged in Uniontown
Jail. Senator Sturgeon employed counsel, and
at the trial the prisoner was acquitted.
Young Joubert stepped out Of the courtroom
determined to leave the scene of his disgrace
forever. Making his way to New York he took
ship to Holland, the land Of his ancestors pay
ing for his passage by working on the steamer.
At Amsterdam he made the acquaintance of
Adam Joubert, his fathers brother, captain Of
a ship in the South Africa and East India trade.
With his uncle he made several voyages to the
Boer country in Africa. In 1862, hearing of
the American war, he returned to New York.
Enlisting in the United States Navy he served
with the distinction under Admiral Dupont and
others, and lost one eye at the bombardment Of
Charleston, for which disability he nowreceives
. pension from our government. Joubert il
| next heard of az Captain Of negro company in
| the Army of the Potomac. He served directly
| under General Wetzell, and his men marched
| with Wetzells other colored troops, who, after
| Lees surrender, took possession Of Richmond.
| After his discharge he visited Uniontowr
| under an assumed name. The one-eyed young
| Captain, still wearing his full uniform, re-
| vealed himself, however, to Hon. Daniel Stur'
| geon, then aged over eighty years. The veneer
| able Senator was the means Of his obtaining
the 800 placed on interest years before, and itl
accumulations. After . thousand thanks te
his namesake, he sailed for Holland, and from
| there to the country Of the Beers, in South
Africa. Becoming resident and citizen o
| the Dutch Republic, he was In 1875 elected
''Woolg," or Representative to their Congress
from the Province or Department Of Ohaitgi.
When the late war broke out between the
Beers and the British, Daniel Sturgeon Jou
bert was promoted from one Office to another
till he is now the Commander-in- Chief of al
tho Boer armies. Thus, from the humble
whitewashed apartments Of . cabin home, ant
from the loathseme cells Of . county prison
the orphan son of an obscure Dutch brick
layer has risen to the position Of General Of tn
bravest army on earth-a soldiery few In mum
bers, but fighting for right and liberty agains
the best equipped regiments Of the greatest ma
| tion nm the c10bA