in this homestead was a young teenage girl by the name of carrie sheads. this is also one of the female academies i was talking about. and in the ensuing chaos of union soldiers falling back, one is an officer trying to maintain his men as best as he can and keep them calm. this was lieutenant colonel charles waylock, he led the 97th infantry. by this point, about 75 men taking shelter in the sheads homestead. the confederate soldiers started to go through them looking for soldiers and among all of this they wanted to take colonel sheads' sword. a sword is a symbol of honor. to lose it is one of the greatest embarrassments an officer could suffer. a confederate sergeant who comes into the yard, he brandishes a pistol and demands the sword. as the story goes, waylock rips open his jacket and said have at it. he would not give up his sword. in the ensuing chaos, carrie sheads steps in between the men and hides the sword in between folds of her dress. the confederates never were able to get colonel waylock's sword. he is able to escape a few days later and th