Before you reach the trailhead of the Black Creek Trail in Gadsden, AL, you'll see a lone rock. It's inscribed: "Emma Sansom No Fear Only Bravery Led General Forrest To The Crossing Of Black Creek May 2, 1863. Heroine Of The Confederacy Alabama Flaggers 2013."
Because I'm a Yankee, I had to look up this bit of Confederate History. I write this article not to invoke arguments about whether the rock should stay or be removed, but to ask you. What would you have done? (Truly, stick to the question I ask if you wish to comment.)
You are living in a house in a secluded area near a creek. Your father just died and you have 12 people living in your household, 6 of whom were away fighting. An army of men come to your house. Does it matter if they are confederate or union? They needed something from you. Would you have been able to lie to that General and tell him their wasn't another way across the creek? What if it were the Union army that came to her house. Would she have answered differently?
When faced with danger, we never know how we will act until the moment happens. These Confederate soldiers didn't calmly knock on her door and ask for permission. An article I read said, "They asked the women if they had any menfolk in the army, The women said they had 6, all gone to fight the Yankees. The soldiers searched the farmhouse for guns and saddles, and took Rufus prisoner." That shows to me that they aggressively requested her help.
We will never know what Emma Sansome thought that day. Did she lie about her brothers being in the Confederate army? If those were Union soldiers, would she have told them her brothers fought for the North? Could this simple act of hers be, not a statue-worthy heroic act, but an act of self-preservation?
We will never know.
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