The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1910-08-04
HIS FEATs AMONG BRAVESF.
Writer Praises the ValOrous Ser
geant Who Rescued the Flag.


as follows in The Baltimore Sun of
the gallant Sergt. William Jasper,
who helped to make history in
Charleston harbor and finally died
at Savannah, supporting the colors
of a South Carolina regiment:
Two events associated with Sulli-
vans Island render that locality his
torical. On September 9, 1854, when
the ocean was apparently calm, a
dull, continuous sound indicated a
coming storm, and on the next day
the tempest came sweeping away the
cottages and submerging the entire
island, except Fort Moultrie, where
500 people spent the weary night
until the morning reveille announced
the retreat of the Atlantic wave and
the prospect of speedy succor. Many
years have passed, but the impress
sion of that occasion is indelible.
On June %, ITS, Fort Moultrie,
built of palmetto logs, was attacked
by a British fleet, and in the midst
of the battle Sergt. William Jasper
distinguished himself by recovering
the flag which had fallen on the
beach and was in danger of capture.
Alone he leaped from the ramparts
and in the sight of the whole fleet
replaced it on the bastion amid
cheers which welcomed his return.
On the next day Gov. Rutledge re-
warded Jasper for his valor by pre-
senting him with his own handsome
small sword, thanking him in the
name of his country. He also offered
him a lieutenant's commission, but
our hero, who could neither read nor
write, modestly refused it, saying:
'"I am not fit to keep officers COM
pany; I am but a sergeant
Subsequently engaged in success
full partisan warfare, Jasper was
mortally wounded on October 9,
1879, during an assault on Savannah,
under the following circumstances,
described by historians: ''The colors
of the second South Carolina regi-
ment, which had just been presented
by Mrs. Elliott just after the battle
of Fort Moultrie were borne by Lieut..
Bush, supported by Sergt. Jasper,
under the inspiring leadership of Col.
Laurens and planted on the slope of
the springhill redoubt. At the sound
of retreat Jasper, already sorely
wounded while trying to place on the
parapet the flag which had been shot
down, received his death wound. He,
however, seized the colors from the
triumphant enemy and bore them
from the bloody field"
Major Horny, who was with the
sergeant, relates the following con-
versation: Il have got my furlough,
and (pointing to his sword) this
sword was presented to me by Gov.
Rutledge for my services in defend
ing Fort Moultrie. Give it to my ia
ther and tell him have worn it with
honor. If he should weep, tell him
his son died with the hope of bet
ter life. Tell Mrs. Elliott I died sup
porting the colors of my regiment.
There is some uncertainty as to
Jasper's burial. Perhaps it might
be said of him, as of Corunna's Vic
tor (once an ensign):
Not a drum was heard or funeral
note
AS his corpse to the ramparts we
hurried;
Not a soldier discharged his farewell
shot
Ger the grave where our hero was
buried.
On February %, 1888, there was
double commemoration in Savannah.
The streets were thronged with resi-
dents and visitors from the country,
residents were marching to inspiring
music, the platform was occupied
by honored guests and officials, an
eloquent oration was given to listen
ing crowds by Gov. John B. Gordon,
the veil was removed and there stood
in bold relief the statue of Jasper
uplifting the fallen colors.
After such an occasion Clio, the
muse of history, might exclaim: "If
jasper could not read or write, he
certainly has made his mark in the
beautiful monument in Savannah's
park and in the seven counties which
gladly perpetuate his name"