Downtown in Little Rock in Pulaski County, Arkansas — The American South (West South Central)
David Owen Dodd Memorial
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 16, 2015
1. David Owen Dodd Memorial
Arkansas Boy Martyr
of the Confederacy
Born Nov. 10, 1846
Executed Jan. 8, 1864
Aye, such was the love of the boy for his Southland,
Such his endurance, his courage, his pride,
That e'er he'd betray his own beloved band
He sacrificed all and silently died.
J.F.C.
David Owen Dodd, a southern boy of 17, when leaving for his home in the southern part of the state, was arrested, tried by federal court martial and hanged in front of Old St. John's College, Little Rock, Arkansas.
Papers found on David's person revealed valuable information to the Confederate forces. Freedom was offered if he would divulge the name of his informant, but he preferred death to dishonor.
Unveiled November 10, 1923
Erected 1923 by Veterans, Daughters and Sons of the Confederacy of Arkansas.
Topics and series. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Patriots & Patriotism • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Sons of Confederate Veterans/United Confederate Veterans, and the United Daughters of the Confederacy series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is January 8, 1864.
Location. Memorial
this page online
We have been informed that this memorial is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.
Regionally, this memorial was in the Quapaw Homeland. It was also in the American South and specifically in the Upper South. Globally, it was in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, the Louisiana Purchase, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking
via Wikipedia, unknown
2. David Owen Dodd
Regarding David Owen Dodd Memorial. National Register of Historic Places #96000454.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. David Owen Dodd, "Boy Martyr Of The Confederacy"
Also see . . .
1. David O. Dodd Memorial. Wikipedia entry:
The David O. Dodd Memorial is a monument on the grounds of the Old State House in Little Rock, Arkansas. Erected in 1923 by Confederate memorial groups, it commemorates David O. Dodd, an Arkansas civilian who was executed by the U.S. Army for spying. The monument has
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 16, 2015
3. David Owen Dodd Memorial
2. David Owen Dodd. Wikipedia entry:
In December 1863 Dodd carried some letters to business associates of his father in Union-held Little Rock, Arkansas. While traveling to rejoin his family at Camden, Arkansas, he mistakenly re-entered Federally-held territory. Discovering that he did not have a pass, U.S. soldiers questioned him and found that he was carrying a notebook with the locations of Federal troops in the area. (Submitted on October 9, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
3. David Owen Dodd. Encyclopedia of Arkansas wensite entry:
David O. Dodd is buried in the southeast portion of Mount Holly Cemetery in Little Rock, in a grave that was donated by a Little Rock resident at the time of the boys death. Questions about his actions remain unanswered: Where did the information in the Morse-coded message come from? Whom was he protecting (if anyone)? Did he knowingly re-cross enemy lines or did he just get lost? (Submitted on October 9, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
4. David O. Dodd Memorial. Encyclopedia of Arkansas website entry:
The United Daughters of the Confederacy and United Confederate Veterans, aided by the Sons of Confederate Veterans, took the lead in raising funds to create a monument to Dodd. The David O. Dodd Memorial was originally located in front of the central temple of the Old State House. It was later moved to the southwestern corner of the lawn and finally relocated to the memorial garden just east of the museum. (Submitted on October 9, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
5. Little Rock park markers for Dodd removed; mayor seeking inclusive sites. Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette website entry (Submitted on November 26, 2021.)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 10, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 9, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 1,031 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on October 9, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 2. submitted on May 31, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 3. submitted on October 9, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
