Smyrna in Rutherford County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
Sam Davis Gravesite
Interrogated by General Grenville Dodge and others, he was told that if information were not forthcoming, the Federals would hang him as a spy. Sam refused to cooperate, claiming he was a scout and a courier, not a spy. He was swiftly tried and hanged on November 27, 1863. His stoic and calm behavior made an impression on all that witnessed his death.
Originally buried in Pulaski, Sam Davis’ body was brought to Smyrna to be buried in the family graveyard across Stewarts Creek. Eventually, at the insistence of his mother, Sam’s grave was moved to its current location.
In the 1890s, a fund-raising drive began to place a statue in Sam’s memory at the Tennessee State Capitol in Nashville. Veterans and their widows from across the nation contributed over $7,000 for the statue. The statue was dedicated in the spring of 1909 with great fanfare. Another statue of Sam was also placed in the public square in Pulaski by the United Daughters of the Confederacy.
"If I had a thousand lives to live, I would give them all rather than betray a friend.” — Sam Davis, November 1863
(captions)
Giles County Courthouse on the day of the hanging.
Oscar Davis Sr. (far right) and family in cemetery, ca. 1925.
Unveiling of statue in Pulaski.
Pulaski monument to Sam Davis.
Unveiling of statue in Nashville.
Nashville monument to Sam Davis.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the United Daughters of the Confederacy series list. A significant historical month for this entry is November 1863.
Location. 35° 59.417′ N, 86° 30.084′ W. Marker is in Smyrna, Tennessee, in Rutherford County. Marker is on Sam Davis Road, 0.3 miles west of Brookhaven Trail, on the right when traveling west. The graveyard is located on the grounds of Sam Davis Home. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1399 Sam Davis Road, Smyrna TN 37167, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The Sam Davis Boyhood Home (within shouting distance of this marker); Outbuildings (within shouting distance of this marker); Sam Davis Home (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Slave Cabins (about 500 feet away); a different marker also named Sam Davis Home (approx. 0.3 miles away); Wheeler's Raid around Rosecrans (approx. 0.6 miles away); Old Jefferson (approx. 0.6 miles away); Captain Jeff Kuss, USMC (approx. 1.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Smyrna.
Also see . . . Sam Davis Home and Museum. (Submitted on October 7, 2013.)
Credits. This page was last revised on September 1, 2020. It was originally submitted on October 6, 2013, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 647 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on October 6, 2013, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. 6, 7. submitted on September 1, 2020, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.