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Literary
May 23, 1840
Macon Intelligencer
Macon, Noxubee County, Mississippi
What is this article about?
A beautiful South Carolina creole girl, Sally St. Clair, disguises herself as a male soldier to follow her beloved Sergeant Jasper into battle. She dies saving him from a lance during a surprise attack, and her sex is revealed after the victory, moving the corps to tears as she is buried in a shady nook.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
"She Would Be A Soldier." The
following thrilling anecdote of a young
South Carolina girl is copied from a work
entitled "Tales of Marion's men."
Sally St. Clair was a beautiful, dark-eyed
creole girl. The whole treasury of her
love was freely poured out to Sergeant Jasper, who on one occasion had the good fortune
to save her life. The prospect of their
separation almost maddened her. To sever
her long jetty ringlets from her exquisite
head, to dress in male attire, to enroll herself
in the corps to which he belonged, and
follow his fortune in the wars, unknown to
him, was a resolution no sooner conceived
than taken. In the camp she attracted no
particular attention, except on the night before
the battle, when she was noticed bending
over his couch, like a good and gentle
spirit, as if listening to his dreams. The
camp was surprised and a fierce conflict ensued.
The lovers were side by side in the
thickest of the fight; but, endeavoring to turn
away a lance aimed at the heart of Jasper,
the poor girl received it in her own, and
fell bleeding at his feet. After the victory,
her name and sex were discovered, and
there was not a dry eye in the corps when
Sally St. Clair was laid in her grave, in a
green shady nook, that looked as if it had
been stolen out of Paradise
following thrilling anecdote of a young
South Carolina girl is copied from a work
entitled "Tales of Marion's men."
Sally St. Clair was a beautiful, dark-eyed
creole girl. The whole treasury of her
love was freely poured out to Sergeant Jasper, who on one occasion had the good fortune
to save her life. The prospect of their
separation almost maddened her. To sever
her long jetty ringlets from her exquisite
head, to dress in male attire, to enroll herself
in the corps to which he belonged, and
follow his fortune in the wars, unknown to
him, was a resolution no sooner conceived
than taken. In the camp she attracted no
particular attention, except on the night before
the battle, when she was noticed bending
over his couch, like a good and gentle
spirit, as if listening to his dreams. The
camp was surprised and a fierce conflict ensued.
The lovers were side by side in the
thickest of the fight; but, endeavoring to turn
away a lance aimed at the heart of Jasper,
the poor girl received it in her own, and
fell bleeding at his feet. After the victory,
her name and sex were discovered, and
there was not a dry eye in the corps when
Sally St. Clair was laid in her grave, in a
green shady nook, that looked as if it had
been stolen out of Paradise
What sub-type of article is it?
Prose Fiction
What themes does it cover?
Love Romance
War Peace
Patriotism
What keywords are associated?
Disguised Soldier
Romantic Love
Revolutionary War
Sally St Clair
Sergeant Jasper
Heroic Sacrifice
What entities or persons were involved?
From "Tales Of Marion's Men."
Literary Details
Title
She Would Be A Soldier.
Author
From "Tales Of Marion's Men."
Subject
Thrilling Anecdote Of A Young South Carolina Girl
Key Lines
To Sever Her Long Jetty Ringlets From Her Exquisite Head, To Dress In Male Attire, To Enroll Herself In The Corps To Which He Belonged, And Follow His Fortune In The Wars, Unknown To Him, Was A Resolution No Sooner Conceived Than Taken.
The Lovers Were Side By Side In The Thickest Of The Fight; But, Endeavoring To Turn Away A Lance Aimed At The Heart Of Jasper, The Poor Girl Received It In Her Own, And Fell Bleeding At His Feet.
After The Victory, Her Name And Sex Were Discovered, And There Was Not A Dry Eye In The Corps When Sally St. Clair Was Laid In Her Grave, In A Green Shady Nook, That Looked As If It Had Been Stolen Out Of Paradise