Savannah with a side of grit(s): The Jasper Monument
Born around 1750, likely in Germany, William Jasper arrived in America in 1767 as Johann Wilhelm Gasper. Unable to read or write, he signed his immigration papers with a simple “X,” adopting the name John William Jasper in Philadelphia. He later moved to South Carolina, where his courage in the Revolutionary War made him a legend.
As a sergeant in the 2nd South Carolina Regiment, Jasper’s bravery shone bright during many battles in efforts to secure our freedom. The Battle of Sullivan’s Island in 1776 earned him hero status when he fought under fire to raise his regiment’s fallen flag. We think of bravery as so many different things today, but there’s a different level of commitment to raise a flag in pride while actively under fire.
The Jasper Monument at night, Savannah Ga, 2025 - Photo by Ashley Canelon
A few years later, during the Jasper Spring Rescue in 1779, Jasper successfully freed American prisoners that the British was holding near Savannah.
His final battle, and arguably the one that gained him the most notoriety, was the Siege of Savannah in 1779, where his life ended heroically, clutching his regiment’s flag with a bullet wound in his side and his bullet-ridden hat at his feet.
You’ll find the William Jasper Monument tucked into one of Savannah’s most beautiful squares, Madison Square. This square sits right along what we like to call the Bull Street Corridor, which is often considered to be the most beautiful squares of the city.
This square’s got some serious architectural bragging rights, with landmarks like the Sorrel-Weed House and the Mercer-Williams House just a short stroll away. And while you’re there, do yourself a favor and pop into one of our beloved indie bookshops, E. Shaver Booksellers. It’s cozy, historic, and just the right kind of place to get lost in for a while.
While in Madison Square, you’ll find yourself in the middle of the square, facing our hero’s memorial. The William Jasper Monument features Jasper, frozen mid-action, flag in hand, hat at his feet like he just stepped out of battle and paused to catch his breath. Around him, the square hums with quiet reverence. It’s not the rowdiest, or the most photographed, but Madison Square holds that special Savannah energy: a blend of history, grace, grit, and moss-draped mystery.
