Hello, I have a similar story from our family. My 2nd Great Grandfather was James Sexton and he fought in the Arkansas 2nd Infantry Union. He returned from the war very sick with "Lung Fever." He was coughing so much he couldn't work and was disabled. He was unable to defend himself. The Bushwhackers came looking for him at their family farm in Scott County. My 2nd Great Grandmother, Nancy Sharp Sexton, hid my grandfather under the floorboards of the house. She had just given birth from the child conceived prior to James becoming sick. One of the Bushwhackers was getting close to where James was hiding, she picked up a larger ax and threatened to smash the first head that moves any further. To everyone's surprise they left. James died not too long after due to his illness.