The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-06-21
STRAITS RAID |. AND EMMA SAMSON
BY VIII. =. .DENSON.


 in the air and in close proximity to the soldier and the lass, and he would go for ward and examine the ford. As Forrest moved out he was so uncovered as to be exposed to great danger from the pick ct fire. I heard Forrest say as the mis- siles commenced to dip in the mud nea- him, he looked behind to seek some shell ter, and behold there stood the brave lit- tie heroine, and said to him: General, get behind me, and 1 will stretch my dress and thus hide you.'
 Forrest stated that spontaneously he said: My God. to have a woman as a breastworks between me and a Yankee cannot be tolerated" He took her away and gave the order to his column to cross the ford.
 The crossing of this ford turned Hath away's right but that alert soldier had discovered his danger and had retreated to Gadsden, leaving only a few pickets to confront Forrest. This Is the short story of Emma Sansom. and in it bursts forth in bold relief that heroic splendor and tender pathos of the prowess of womanly courage amid danger. that char acterized the women of the south in the trials of the year.
 The fair daughters of Carthage may have clipped their brown tresses. 'sFair tresses, mans imperial race insnare," and gwen 10 Inelr country 10 make cOrdS ne- oessary to defend their city. but they were in no physical danger. The Maid of Orleans may have mounted the walls of Rouen, leading her followers amid the thunders and excitement of battle, but then she was melted by a fanaticism that oblterates the loftier sentiments of the soul
 But Emma Sansom, amid the quietude of lull in battle, free from all peril, and from excitement, calmly and courage | ously, inspired by love for her home and her southland, the loftiest sentiment that can animate human soul, walks delib- erately in front of her general. with the | missiles of death falling thick and fast, and offers to put herself between him and death.
 This Is the spirit of the martyr for righteousness sake, to do or die, for the cause she espoused. Of such alone are heroes and heroines made, and they are the salt of the earth. Oh, dear south land, how proud you are of your intrepid, pure and devoted daughters, the seed of the martyrs still exist in our land.
 In the valhalla beyond the grave where the shades of heroes and heroines meet. when the name of Emma Sansom is called 1t will be the proud privilege of Bedford Forrest to respond, Crowned in glory as a reward for the discharge of heroic duty"
 hlFS. JOnHSOnt nee f1IllHlh diSu in Texas two years ago.
 When Forests command had finished their meal at Gadsden he called for one hundred and fifty men. who were ready to die in order to capture Strait, to ride four paces to the front of his line. At the command the whole line of three hundred advanced, and Forrest placing himself at the head of the column, rushed on and overlook Strait ten miles from Gadsden between the plantations of Croft and Blount
 Hathaway in commaund of the front of the raid as they must call it, that is the side next to Forrest. had halted his col umn at branch and was resting. Strait was three hundred yards away at the Blount house.
 A battery had been established at Blount,s and was firing over Hathaway's column at the approach of Forests men. There Is an unexploded shell now in an oak tree at Croft's house fired from this battery. Forrest rode up and Croft informed him that the federals were at the branch and told Forrest in reply to his question, there Is an old neighbor- hood road running to the right of Hath away but 1t is quite obcure." Forrest ordered his men to defle at once to the left in column. It was but two hundred yards to the enemy.
 Forrest at the head, commenced the Cnarge Just as ne reacneQ the apex Ol d little mound that descended to the branch where Hathaway was. heard Forrest say after the war of this attack: "As I rushed on with my column l saw Hath away standing near the fence. his face pale, yet marked by every sign of cour- age and determination, flashing his revol- yer, his voice ringing out above the noise, appealing to his men to rally resembling a lion at bay. I knew there was before me the unconquerable and guiding ge- nius of the enemy. I roweled my horse and rushed on him. He turned and we commenced firing. Several of my men were with me in the rush. and I don't know who killed him. but one shot struck him and he fell dead"
 Thus fell Hathaway dying a death and on field. that above all others the brave and heroic most prefer. Lofty soul, courageous heart. chivalric spirit when you fell. the raid from which so much was expected was practically ended. He ] met Forrest as 'Tnnisfail met Lochnvar." He was buried near by in Blount's yard. After the war his friends disin- | tered his body and it now rests in the soil of his loved Indiana. and his spirit is with his God.
 His then adversaries who were at the l terrible death scene send up their prisons 1 for his brave soul to Him. who doeth all I things for the best and pray that Though his sins be as scarlet. let them be as snow. though they be red like crirn- l son let them be as wool"
 | One more fact. As Strait entered Gads- | den. brave and honest John Wisdom mounted his horse inspired by the spirit