Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-05-22
A BRAVE GIRL,
How She Frustrated General
Hoods Plan 30 Corn His
HOrsec,
franklin Journal.

An unpublished story of the late
war is too good to be lost. On Gen.
erals Hoods march to Tennessee from
Georgia he came through the Sand
Mountains west the Tennessee river.
While passing through one Of his for
age masters, on the lookout for corn,
came across a little crib in the bush 5
containing about one hundred bushels
Of corn. He thought he had found a
Dor 4nza. He rode up II cabin and
inquired in very pomDous way about
the corn. The cabin was occupied by
a very old man and lady and three
single daughters. The old people
were unable to work and sup.
port themselves aud the young
folk. They were former residents
OF Williamson county, Tennessee
The gir.s informed the officer that
they were very poor, that their old
father was unable to work-that they
lad taken the oxen themselves and
gone into the bottom and plowed and
raised that little corn to save them.
selves from starvation, They had
heard that the army was coming, and,
with some assistance had gone the
Sunday before aud gathered it. The
officer replied very roughly that the
horses needed corn and corn they
would have, and rode off TO his regi,
ment to lead his men to the crib.
In the mean time two boys rode up
to the cabin and found the girls sob
blog. There were no more gallant
fellows than our present Sheriff, John
NJ. Nevis, and Bob Men, Of Mesh
vile. When the boys heard the story
Of the ladies, and N. had ascertained
that the family were formerly neiph>
bors OF his in Williamson county, his
sympathies were aroused. He
asked the youpg ladies' why
they did not deiend the corn
and the reply was that they had moth
ing to defend it with. N. promptly
handed one Of his pistols to the eldest
OF the young ladies and told her to 20
aud get in the crib and shoot the first
man that took an ear of corn. This
aroused Bob Mems gallantry, and he
promptly took out one of his pistols
and handed it to the lady saying, take
two ana save your o-n." The young
lady obeyed orders promptly. Taking
her position in the crib she shut the
door. The determined officer in the
meantime had returned to his reqi
ment and had ordered them to mount
and follow him and get corn for their
stock. N. and Men. had advanced
close enough to see and hear what
might transpire.
In a short time the regiment, 1870
strong, marched up and surrounded
the crib. The ofacer ordered the
men to dismount and bring their
sacks and fill them. He stepped up
and opened the door. Just as be did
80, the young lady thrust a pistol
within a few inches of his head and
eo0lly informed him if he touched an
ear Of corn she would shoot his head
oft. The officer precipitately fell back
IN disorder, amidst the shouts and
laughter OF the boys, some crying.
shoot him, shoot himl' 'C7
After the officer sufficiently recov.
cred from the shock he called out to
the adjutant to know what must be
done about the matter. who Eenlied
that he did not intend Ia touch ore
ear Of that girPS earn,
The regiment was ordered to mount
touched.
The young ladies' stated that the
army had taken and killed the oxen
With which the corn was cultivated.