William Jasper, an American revolutionary soldier, born in South Carolina about 1750, killed at the assault on Savannah, Oct. 9,1779. At the commencement of the revolution he enlisted in the 2d South Carolina regiment, in which he became a sergeant. In the attack upon Fort Moultrie by a British fleet, June 28, 1776, he distinguished himself by leaping through an embrasure to the ground, under a shower of cannon balls, and recovering the flag of South Carolina, which had been shot off. On this occasion Gov. Rutledge presented him with his own sword, and offered him a lieutenant's commission; this, however, Jasper, who could scarcely read or write, refused, saying, "I am not fit to keep officers' company; I am but a sergeant." His commander, Col. Moultrie, appreciating his bravery and coolness, gave him a roving commission to scour the country with a few men, and surprise and capture the enemy's outposts. His achievements in this capacity equal any recorded in the revolutionary annals. Prominent among them was the rescue by himself and a single comrade of some American captives from a party of British soldiers, whom he overpowered and made prisoners.

At the assault upon Savannah he was in the column which under D'Estaing and Lincoln attacked the Spring Hill redoubt, and received his death wound while fastening to the parapet the standard which had been presented to his regiment by Mrs. Elliott. His hold, however, never relaxed, and he bore the colors to a place of safety before he died. His last words were: "Tell Mrs. Elliott I lost my life supporting the colors she presented to our regiment." A county of Georgia and a square in Savannah have been named after him.