fired his wagons, but Forrest came up in time to save much of the abandoned stores. Then began a constant running fight, Streight trying his best to get away, and Forrest determined to capture him and his whole command. Streight succeeded in crossing the Warrior river at Rocky Ford, but several captured pack mules and dead Federals showed how hotly Forrest was pursuing. The Confederates were tired and stopped to rest. While in camp two young girls, carrying three guns, leading three horses, and guarding three Federal prisoners, came up. A horse was given to each of the girls, and they both went home in delight with their steeds and the story of their soldier experience. 4. Forrest Guided by Emma Sansom.-At Black Creek, a mile or so west of Gadsden, Forrest found the bridge on fire and guarded by Federal sentinels. Streight had crossed. The creek was swollen. Mrs. Sansom, a widow living near, accompanied by her daughter, Miss Emma, a girl of sixteen summers, had gone toward the bridge to put out the fire. They discovered Federal pickets on guard and were returning home when Forrest met them and inquired about the crossings of the creek. Miss Emma offered to guide him to a ford. Her mother objected, but the brave girl insisted, and, climbing up on the corner of a fence, she leaped behind Forrest and started with him to the ford. Shot and shell were soon flying all about them. When they approached the ford in the creek, they dismounted. Miss Emma stepped in front of Forrest and spread out her skirts to protect him, believing that the Federals would not fire on a girl. Forrest, however, would not consent to this. "Excuse me, Miss," he said; "I am glad to have you for a pilot, but I am not going to make breastworks of you." A volley of muskets sent a bullet through her skirts, when she exclaimed, "They have only wounded my dress," and waved her bonnet at the Federals. The brave fellows discovered her and sent her a round of cheers, ceased firing, and permitted her to get out of the reach of danger. 5. Capture of Streight.-Miss Sansom's heroic assistance helped the Confederates to get across the creek promptly and continue the hot pursuit. On May 3, 1863 the morning of May 3, Forrest overtook Streight at Lawrence in Cherokee county. Forrest had only about six hundred men, but he boldly demanded an immediate surrender. By skilfully placing his troops and giving orders to imaginary forces, he outwitted and captured Streight with fourteen hundred and sixty-six men and sent them to Richmond over the very road they, had come to destroy. When Streight learned of Forrest's actual strength, he said, "I am sold.' The next day Forrest captured Colonel Russell and two hundred and thirty men, whom Streight had sent forward to seize the bridge across the river at Rome. Streight's purpose to destroy all public works and to burn the city of Rome would have been accomplished if Miss Emma had not piloted the Confederates to the ford, and thus, as General Forrest himself said, "facilitated pursuit by at least two hours." 6. Marriage and Death.-Miss Sansom afterward married Mr. C. B. Johnson. She lived for many Aug. 22, years in Calloway, Texas, and died there August 22, 1900, a widow and the mother of several children. 1900 1899 7. Testimonial From Alabama Legislature.—As a testimonial of appreciation of her heroic service, the legislature of Alabama in 1863 voted her a gold medal and a section of land. This land was sold for Confederate money, which was soon worthless. In 1899, by a vote almost unanimous, the legislature again donated to her a section of land; but as all the State lands have been used for other purposes, her heirs will probably never receive anything from the State. 8. Extract from the "Ballad of Emma Sansom.”. John Trotwood Moore has vividly described the incidents of this chapter in his beautiful Ballad of Emma Sansom. One stanza reads: "Do you wonder they rode like Romans adown the winnowing wind, With Mars himself in the saddle and Minerva up behind? Was ever a foe confronted and captured by such means SUMMARY General Garfield sent Colonel Streight with a large force through northern Alabama to destroy Confederate furnaces and railroads. The Federal force was soon attacked, defeated, and pursued by General Forrest and his men. With the assistance of Miss Emma Sansom, who guided Forrest to a ford across Black creek, the retreating Federals were overtaken and forced to surrender. As a testimonial of her services, the Alabama legislature voted her a gold medal and a section of land. She died in Texas in 1900. QUESTIONS 1. What plan of campaign was proposed by General Garfield in 1863? 2. Give an account of the fight between General Forrest and Colonel Streight. 3. Describe the pursuit of the Federals. 4. What service was rendered by Miss Emma Sansom? 5. Narrate the incidents of her ride with Forrest. 6. Describe the capture of Colonel Streight. 7. To whom was Miss Sansom married? 8. When and where did she die? 9. In what way did the legislature reward her? 10. Recite the lines from the Ballad of Emma Sansom. Sept. 10, 1863 General Joseph Wheeler CHAPTER XVIII GENERAL JOSEPH WHEELER (1836-1907) 1. Popularity. Just after the fall of Santiago, it was said that if a congressman-at-large had to be elected by vote throughout the States of the Union, General Joseph Wheeler would be the popular choice by a large majority. This was a high compliment and one well deserved, for General Wheeler had a career that well illustrates the chivalry of the American soldier. 2. Early Life.-Joseph Wheeler was born in Augusta, Georgia, September 10, 1836, and was |