A True Heroine
[from the Jacksonville Republican, 9 May 1863]
"An incident connected with the recent Yankee raid is worthy of record. When
Gen Nathan Bedford Forrest arrived at Black Creek, 3 miles from Gadsden, AL, in hot pursuit of the Vandals
- Col Abel D Streight's Raiders, from April 11 through May 3, 1863, through Northern
Alabama, he found his progress checked by a swollen stream and a demolished bridge, while a detachment of the enemy lingered behind to dispute his passage to the opposite side. Ignorant of the ford, if indeed there were any,
Gen Forrest himself rode back in quest of the necessary information. At the first house, he made the inquiry whether there was any person who could pilot his command across the stream, to which a young lady
replied - because there was no male present - that she knew the ford, and that if she had a horse she would accompany and direct him. There being no time for ceremony,
Gen Forrest proposed that she should get up behind him on his horse. With no maiden coyness, but actuated only by the
heroic impulse to serve her country, she at once consented. Her mother, however, overhearing the suggestion, and sensitively alive to her daughter's safety and honor, interposed the objection.
"Sir, my child cannot thus accompany a stranger."
"Madam," respectfully urged the far-famed chieftain, "my name is Forrest, and I will be responsible for this young lady's safety."
"Oh," rejoined the good woman, "if you are
Gen Forrest, she can go with you!"
Mounted behind the General, she piloted him across the stream, exposed to the whistling bullets of the enemy; nor did she retire from her post of danger until the last man had safely crossed, and the column seen in continuance of its rapid pursuit, accompanied by her earnest prayers for success.
The name of this heroine is Miss [Emma] Sansom, who deserves to be long and gratefully remembered, not only by
Gen Forrest and his gallant men but by every lover of the cause to which she rendered such gallant and timely aid. The General wrote a note of thanks, and sent it back to the heroic girl."