Emma Sansom Statue, South Alabama Travel Guide

The Emma Sansom Statue, prominently located on Broad Street in downtown Gadsden, Alabama, stands as a tribute to Emma Sansom, a young woman celebrated for her role in assisting Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest during the Civil War. Born in 1847, Emma Sansom was just a teenager when she helped Forrest during his pursuit of Union forces in May 1863.During a raid led by Union Colonel Abel Streight through Confederate territory in Alabama, General Forrest sought to capture Streight and his men. Upon arriving at the Sansom family farm, Forrest needed guidance on how to cross Black Creek, a natural obstacle that could delay his pursuit. Emma Sansom volunteered to lead Forrest to a suitable ford, guiding him and his troops across the creek and saving valuable time. Forrest successfully captured Streight's raiders, partly due to Emma Sansom's assistance, and he credited her with providing crucial knowledge of the local terrain.The Emma Sansom Statue was erected in 1907 by the Gadsden chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy (UDC), 44 years after the Black Creek crossing. The monument features a life-size white marble statue of Emma Sansom, depicted in period attire, pointing towards the direction of the Black Creek ford. The statue rests on a large stone pedestal adorned with a white marble relief depicting Sansom riding with Forrest, guiding him to the crossing. While the statue has been a symbol of local history and heritage for many years, it has also become a subject of controversy, with some arguing that it glorifies the Confederacy.