Sam Davis
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Sam Davis (1842–1863) is called the Boy Hero of the Confederacy. He was executed by the Union Army for espionage during the American Civil War.
Davis was born in Smyrna, Tennessee, and educated at the Western Military Institute, which he attended from 1860-1861. While there, he came under the influence of headmaster and future Confederate General Bushrod Johnson .
He was recruited by Confederate scout forces early in the Civil War. He was captured in Middle Tennessee, wearing a uniform and in possession of Yankee battle plans. He would not give the name of who gave him the items. For this reason, he was arrested as a spy, and sentenced to die by hanging unless he was willing to divulge the name of his contact. He is purported to have said, "I would rather die a thousand deaths than betray a friend." He was hanged by Union forces in Pulaski, Tennessee, on November 27, 1863. Supposedly the officer in charge of the execution was discomfited by Davis' youth and calm demeanor and had trouble carrying out his orders. Davis is alleged to have said to him, "Officer, I did my duty. Now, you do yours."
Davis' story, and its obvious parallel to that of Nathan Hale during the American Revolution, became a rallying point for the Southern cause in the waning days of the Confederacy. His boyhood home is preserved in Smyrna as a museum, and the spot of his hanging in Pulaski is likewise marked by a monument and a small museum which, as of 2004, was open by appointment and request only.
