Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-03-19

The Address or Colonel Jones for
the Benefit Of the Jasper Monu-
mental Association.

We take from the Chronicle the following
account OF the address delivered by Colonel
c. c. Jones. Jr., before large audience at
Masonic Hall, Augusta, on Sergeant Jas
per, His Life and Services The speaker
was briefly introduced by Hon. George T.
Barnes. Annexed Is given synopsis of his
remarks:
Turning aside from the topics usually dis
cussed on the anniversary of Ireland's pat
ron Saint and in response to the invitation
Of the officers Of the Hibernian Benevolent
Society, be would speak Of one who, though
loWly in station, committed deeds of high
emprise He died on the field Of honor, but
he has a glorious immortality. Sergeant
Jasper went down with the killed Of the
first struggle Of the American people. he
was always in action faithful and in honor
clear. The words that we hear he spoke are
full Of modesty, patriotism and gallantry.
What we see OF him is amid the smoke OF
battle. In the organization OF the Second
Regiment of South Carolina Foot,
William MoultTie was chosen its
Colonel and Francis Marion the Cap
tain of one of the companies Among
the loftiest merits of this young Captain,
VIM. Jasper, Of Irish parentage, OF humble
position aud slender means, imbued with an
stuff that the hardest soldiers are made.
Marion, approaching his qualities, made
him Sergeant In his company. Sergeant
Jasper saw his first active service at Fort
johnson, in Charleston harbor. Seldom
does 1t happen that the memories of a
subalteran lift themselves above those of
the common file. Does tradition mention
the name of one of the privates OF Mars
thon, or one OF the inVincible Mace DOMAIN
phalanx? Unknown even the name of that
soldier who bore the white flag Of Joan of
Arc when she raised the siege of Orleans.
Who will commemorate the untitled dead
who in the Confederate army achieved he
roic deeds9 Their aggregate name survives
as the synonym of Penown, but the IHdivid-
ual hero of the struggle not uofrequentlY
sleeps In an unmarked grave. Noted excep-
tions do sometimes occur. and one of these
Is Sergeant Jasper. Iu the trying moment
when Sir Peter Parker threatened Charles
ton, the patriotism of the Caroliniaus wss
most conspicuous. Fort Sullivan was in an
incomplete condition when the British
ships opened their fire upon it, 1t was
built of palmetto logs, laid one upon the
other Upon the southeast bastion was the
flagstaff with its flag. On the morning OF
the 2Sth of June the British feet bore
down upon Fort Sullivan and opened fire
upon 1t. From the fort slow but sure ana
deliberate fire was returned. The cannon
ade ceased on both sides at hslf-past niue
O'Clock at night, and the ships sullenly
withdrew to their former position. The ma
tive palmetto logs had withstood foreign
oak and raw levies vanquished disciplined
British troops. During the heated bonn
bardment the flag staff was shot away. and.
with the colors, fell outside the fort. Ser
geant Jasper, then not q years of age,
spraRg outside, picked up the flag, called
for a cord, placed the staff again in position,
rfry{p
liberty and my country" and returned TO
his gun. What more gallant deed than
this
After this battle, Mrs. Rutledge presented
a set of colors TO the Second South Carolina
Regiment. Sergeant Jasper received the
colors, and said, smilingly, that he would
never give them up except with his life.
Governor Rutledge, on visiting the fort,
took his own sword from his side and pre-
sented it to Sergeant Jasper. He also
offered him a Leutenant's commission, but
it was modestly declined Such an instance
of modesty in these days seems almost
incredible. The name of Moultrie was be-
slowed upon Fort Sullivan. Jasper was
given a rowing commission, and performed
many remarkable deeds. He often
captured parties that were looking for him.
While the British held Savannah, and the
Americans were at PurYsburg, Sergt. Jas
per visited his Tory brother, who was ser
geant in the British army, pretending that
he had deserted. He returned in safety to
the American camp and told what he had
seen. He WAS tempted to repeat the ex-
pertinent, taking with him a cOmrade, Ser
geant Newton, as stout-hearted as himself.
While on this adventure they rescued, in a
very gallant manner. party of American
prisoners from squad of British troops.
Jasper and Newton were unarmed, while
the British guards were armed.
Until the disastrous assault upon Savan-
lah Jasper still held his rowing commission.
His services were at all times appreciated
and highly commended. The assault upon
Savannah was made on the OH of October,
1879.
During the assault one OF the colors of
the South Carolina regiment was borne by
Lieut.. Bush, supported by Sergeant Jasper,
and the other borne by Lieut.. Gray, sup
ported by Sergeant Mcdonald. Lieut.. Bush
was struck down almost at the same time
that Lieut.. Gray fell and Sergeant Mcdonald
carried the colors back. When Lieut.. Bush
fell Sergeant Jasper seized the colors, and
although MORALLY wounded, he bore them
out OF the grasp of the triumphant enemy
to place of safety. He told his commander
to tell Mrs. Rutledge that he lost his life In
defense of the colors that she gave the
regiment. The place or his sculpture is
unknown. He sleeps with the dead of the
siege, but his name is not forgotten. They
had met to sympathise with the movement
for the erection of a monument to his mem
DRY and to contribute their mite to the
cause.
At the conclusion of the address, which
was listened to with the deepest attention
throughout, Colonel Jones was loudly ap-
plauded. 1t was one of the most polished
and eloquent efforts that we have ever
listened to, and those who heard it will Join
with US in saying that it was q delightful
literary treat.