"An incident connected with the recent Yankee raid is worthy of record. When Gen. [Nathan B.] Forrest arrived at Black Creek, 3 miles from Gadsden [AL], in hot pursuit of the Vandals [Col. Abel D. Streight's Raid, 11 April-3 May 1863, through northern AL], 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 made reply -- no male person being 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 to which, with no maiden coyness, but actuated only by the herioic 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."
1. Mattie Forrest Johnson [15 Aug 1866, Gadsden, AL--9 Oct 1871, Gadsden, AL]
2. Joseph Bivins Johnson [4 May 1868, Gadsden, AL--5 Aug 1948, Upshur Co., TX]
3. Thomas Cooper Johnson [11 Dec 1869, Gadsden, AL--26 May 1936, Upshur Co., TX]
4. Edward Van Smith Johnson [30 Dec 1872, Gadsden, AL--17 Nov 1953, Houston, TX]
5. Chester Lucy Johnson (Burgin) [26 Oct 1874, Gadsden, AL--9 April 1958, TX]
6. Benjamin Cain Johnson [18 Dec 1877, Upshur Co., TX--8 April 1967, Upshur Co., TX]
7. Mercer Meeks Johnson [17 March 1881, Upshur Co., TX--19 March 1961, Dallas, TX]
8. Jennie Maud Johnson (Pond) [3 Oct 1884, Upshur Co., TX--11 March 1951, Weatherford, TX]