Nov 29, 2010 (18 hours ago)
Sam Davis - Boy Hero of the Confederacy
This statue of Tennessee native Sam Davis, stands proudly in the shadow of the Tennessee State Capitol in Nashville. Davis is memorialized for his heroic sacrifice his life in defense of his beloved Southland during the War Between the States - an act which earned him the title, Boy Hero of the Confederacy. A plaque at the base of the statue reads:
SAM DAVIS OF TENNESSEE
Born October 6, 1842, near Murfreesboro, Tenn.
Educated at the Western Military Institute at Nashville
Early in the Civil War he joined the Confederate Army
Company 1, First Tennessee Regiment.
In 1863 he was assigned to Shaw's Scouts, Cheatham's Division.
In November, 1863, when on duty,
Uniformed in Confederate butternut and grey,
Davis was captured in his native state, then within the Federal lines.
Important papers, descriptive of the Federal fortifications and forces,
Were found upon his person.
These papers had been given Davis by Captain Shaw
Who had also been captured and was confined to the same prison.
Davis was tried by court martial,
condemned to death and executed at Pulaski, November 27.
The Federal Commander offered Davis his life, if he would tell
who gave him the papers. To this offer, under the very shadow of
the gallows, Davis made his immortal reply:
"I would die a thousand deaths
Before I would betray a friend."
---
"Greater love hath no man than this,
That a man lay down his life for his friends."
Another plaque at the base of the statue offers this poem by Ella Wheeler Wilcox:
SAM DAVIS
When the Lord calls up earth's heroes,
To stand before His face,
O, many a name, unknown to fame
Shall ring from that high place;
Then out of a grave in the Southland
At the just God's call and beck,
Shall one man rise with fearless eyes
With a rope about his neck;
O Southland: bring your laurels,
And add your wreath, O North!
Let glory claim the hero's name
And tell the world his worth.
SAM DAVIS OF TENNESSEE
Born October 6, 1842, near Murfreesboro, Tenn.
Educated at the Western Military Institute at Nashville
Early in the Civil War he joined the Confederate Army
Company 1, First Tennessee Regiment.
In 1863 he was assigned to Shaw's Scouts, Cheatham's Division.
In November, 1863, when on duty,
Uniformed in Confederate butternut and grey,
Davis was captured in his native state, then within the Federal lines.
Important papers, descriptive of the Federal fortifications and forces,
Were found upon his person.
These papers had been given Davis by Captain Shaw
Who had also been captured and was confined to the same prison.
Davis was tried by court martial,
condemned to death and executed at Pulaski, November 27.
The Federal Commander offered Davis his life, if he would tell
who gave him the papers. To this offer, under the very shadow of
the gallows, Davis made his immortal reply:
"I would die a thousand deaths
Before I would betray a friend."
---
"Greater love hath no man than this,
That a man lay down his life for his friends."
Another plaque at the base of the statue offers this poem by Ella Wheeler Wilcox:
SAM DAVIS
When the Lord calls up earth's heroes,
To stand before His face,
O, many a name, unknown to fame
Shall ring from that high place;
Then out of a grave in the Southland
At the just God's call and beck,
Shall one man rise with fearless eyes
With a rope about his neck;
O Southland: bring your laurels,
And add your wreath, O North!
Let glory claim the hero's name
And tell the world his worth.
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