(Emma Sansom Monument), (sculpture).

(Emma Sansom Monument), (sculpture).

Unknown (Italian), sculptor.

(Emma Sansom Monument), (sculpture).

Installed 1906. Dedicated July 4, 1907.

Figure: Italian white marble; Base: granite with marble panels.

Figure: approx. H. 6 ft.; Base: approx. 15 x 15 x 15 ft.

(On front of base:) CSA (monogram) 1861 1865 (On side of base:) This monument/was erected by the/Gadsden Chapter/of the/United Daughters/of the Confederacy/1906 (On back of base:) Our heroes/1861-1865/the Confederate Soldiers./those were men whom power could not corrupt, whom/death could not terrify, and whom defeat could not dis-/honor. They glorified the cause for which they fought. (On side of base:) IN MEMORY OF THE GADSDEN/ALABAMA GIRL HEROINE, EM-/MA SANSOM, WHO WHEN THE/BRIDGE ACROSS BLACK CREEK/HAD BEEN BURNED BY THE/ENEMY, MOUNTED BEHIND/GEN. FORREST AND SHOWED HIM/A FORD WHERE HIS COMMAND/CROSSED. HE PURSUED AND/CAPTURED THAT ENEMY AND/SAVED THE CITY OF ROME,GA./A GRATEFUL PEOPLE TOOK THE/GIRL INTO THEIR LOVE AND AD-/MIRATION, NOR WILL THIS MAR-/BLE OUTLAST THE LOVE AND/PRIDE THAT HER DEED INSPIRED. unsigned

Standing figure of Emma Sansom atop a granite base decorated with reliefs and inscriptions. She wears a long dress and points straight ahead with her proper right hand. Her proper left hand holds a bonnet at her side. The front of the base depicts a marble relief of two figures on a horse seen from proper left; they are Emma Sansom riding sidesaddle behind General Forrest, a Confederate officer. She points straight ahead with her proper right hand. General Forrest wears a Confederate uniform, including a hat, knee-length gaiters, and sword hanging by his side. The front of the base depicts a CSA monogram encircled by the relief of a garland, and the back depicts a relief of three rifles.

History -- United States -- Civil War

Portrait female -- Sansom, Emma -- Full length

Portrait male -- Forrest, Nathan Bedford -- Full length

Dress -- Accessory -- Hat

Object -- Weapon -- Sword

Object -- Weapon -- Gun

Outdoor Sculpture -- Alabama -- Gadsden

Administered by City of Gadsden, Parks and Recreation, Gadsden, Alabama

Located 1st Street & Broad, Gadsden, Alabama

During the Civil War, Emma Sansom came to the aid of Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest by showing him where his command could cross Black Creek whose bridge had been burned by enemy troops. As a result of her heroism, the enemy was captured and the city of Rome, Georgia saved. IAS files contain an illustrated copy of an article from the Gadsden Times (Gadsden, AL), February 5, 1961, stating the monument to Emma Sansom, whose childhood home was near Gadsden, was made possible by the efforts of the Gadsden Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy at a cost of $3,500.

Save Outdoor Sculpture, Alabama survey, 1993.

Gadsden Times (Gadsden, AL), February 5, 1961.

The information provided about this artwork was compiled as part of the Smithsonian American Art Museum's Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture database, designed to provide descriptive and location information on artworks by American artists in public and private collections worldwide.

Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture, Smithsonian American Art Museum, P.O. Box 37012, MRC 970, Washington, D.C. 20013-7012

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