Smyrna in Rutherford County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

Sam Davis

Photographed by Tom Gillard, March 8, 2010

1. Sam Davis Marker

Inscription. In the house 1 mile northeast lived "The Boy Hero of the Confederacy." A trooper in Coleman's Scouts, CSA, he was captured by the Federals with secret papers of great value to the Confederacy. Threatened with death unless he gave the source of his information, he steadfastly refused. He was hanged at Pulaski, Tenn., Nov. 27, 1863.

Erected by Tennessee Historical Commission. (Marker Number 3A 8.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Tennessee Historical Commission series list. A significant historical month for this entry is October 1803.

Location. 35° 58.942′ N, 86° 31.14′ W. Marker is in Smyrna, Tennessee, in Rutherford County. It is on U.S. 41, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Smyrna TN 37167, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Middle Tennessee

and in Greater Nashville.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Smyrna Railroad Depot (here, next to this marker); Dewitt Smith Jobe (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Dewitt Smith Jobe (approx. 0.3 miles away); Smyrna, Tennessee Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.9 miles away); Smyrna, Tennessee World War II Memorial (approx. 0.9

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miles away); Smyrna Rosenwald School (approx. 0.9 miles away); Captain Jeff Kuss, USMC (approx. 0.9 miles away); Smyrna Airport (approx. one mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Smyrna.

Also see . . . Sam Davis Home. (Submitted on March 9, 2010, by Tom Gillard of Tullahoma, Tennessee.)

Additional commentary.
1.
A family member of mine, Capt Newton Jasper Vaughan, was one of Coleman's Scouts here in Columbia. Mr. Davis sacrificed his life for his brothers in arms.

— Submitted August 5, 2025, by Branden Vaughan of Columbia, Tennessee.

Photographed by Tom Gillard, March 8, 2010

2. Sam Davis Marker

Photographed by Tom Gillard, March 8, 2010

3. Sam Davis Marker

To Sam Davis, Soldier, Scout, Hero, who passed at morn bright honor's way. 1842-1863 "If I had a thousand lives, I would give them all before I would betray a confidence"

Credits. This page was last revised on August 5, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 9, 2010, by Tom Gillard of Tullahoma, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 1,530 times since then and 30 times this year. Last updated on April 21, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 9, 2010, by Tom Gillard of Tullahoma, Tennessee. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.