The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1885-11-26
BRAVE sAMDAv1s
Where He Got the Papers That Convicted
Him.

Where He Got the Papers That Convicted
Him.
Saturdays Banner contains an in
terview with our Mr.. Henry White
in which he gives a history of the
transaction that ended in the exc
cution of Sam Davis at Pulaski by
the yankees in 1868. The CITIZEN
long ago published these facts, bnt
the additions made by the Banner
are important:
Mr.. Henry White, a prominent
farmer of Giles county, living near
Pulaski, is in the city visiting rela-
tives, the families of the Hollins
and the Berrys. In conversation
with a Banner man, the subject of
hanging of brave Sam Davis in Pu-
laski in 1868 by the federals was
mentioned. Mr.. White said: ''You
will remember that Sam Davis was
quite a Young Confederate soldier
and belonged to the First Tennes
see infantry, and when captured he
was hanged as a spy because he
had on his person important papers
and accurate maps of the location of
the federal army in this part Of the
country. The maps were made by
an engineer and it was believed that
the party from whom they were re
ceiVed was high In authority, and
Gen. Dodge who ordered the exc
cutlon of Davis promised to release
him if he would tell how and where
he got the documents. The gener-
al insisted upon this disclosure and
its reward of life, hut with a hero
ism unsurpassed the brave lad re-
fused to tell anything, saying that
rather than betray others he would
suffer the penalty of death"
"The story of his life is familiar
said the Banner representative, but
it is often republished and always
read with interest"
"Yes," continued Mr.. White, II
have often read IL. A few months
ago the MuYfreesboro News in re-
counting the patriotic incident said
that it would never be known how
Davis got those papers, as he car
ried the secret with him to the
grave. But have learned the mys-
terry and will give it to you to use
as you please"
81 will be pleased to hear your
story" was the response. $50 on"
ga few days ago." continued Mr..
White, 81 was up at Hendersonville
to see Mr. Race Berry, and there
met Mr.. Thomas Joplin, of Nash
vile, who said he was with Davis
when the documents were obtained
and told US the circumstances con-
nected with the transaction. Davis
and Joplin were en-reute south aud
stopped overnight with Mr.. Bob
English (now dead), who lived in
the northwestern part of Giles
county. A few days before this,
ALI, one of the colored servants of
Mr.. English, now living near Pulas
XII, and respected by all and known
as ALI Houston, was loafing about
the Federal camp as negroes usual
ly did. The officer went into break
fast and left the papers on a table
and ALI. took them and gave them
to Mr.. English. Mr.. English gave
them to Davis and Joplin, saying
that perhaps they would be of ser
vice on their way south. Davis re
piled that they were just what he
wanted and put them in his pocket.
Aft, the young negro, was afraid to
remain in the community and ac-
companied Davis and Joplin. When
they reached the Tennessee river
the canoe in which they were to
cross could only accommodate the
ferryman and one other, and Davis
crossed first and was arrested. By
some means Joplin got an inkling
of Davis arrest and decided not to
follow, but took another course and
joined his company, the First bat
tallion, Tennessee cavalry. Davis
was not spy, Joplin says, but the
court martial adjudged him one and
the circumstances connected with
his arrest and execution, unex-
planned by the real facts, left the
public to believe he was acting in
that capacity. Mr.. Joplin's state
ment to me in the presence of Race
Berry convinces me that he was no
spy. As said, you can use this as
you choose, and its publication will
be the first solution of the mystery
surrounding the death of one of the
bravest boys that ever lived. The
name of the officer who left the pa
pers on his table is not known"
Since the above was put in type
the reporter has seen Mr.. Joplin,
who is in business in this city with
Mr.. John Streight, lumber dealer.
Mr.. Joplin supplemented his former
statement by saying that Davis had
on his Confederate uniform at the
time of his arrest and execution.
He belonged to Ledbetter's Ruther
ford Rifles, in Maney's regiment,
and was detailed to go on a scout
with Joplin. ALT, the colored boy
who took the papers, was about to
be engaged by Gen. Dodge as a
servant and was on trial duty, and
the officers who laid the plans of the
Qualifications, ETC., on the table were
Gen. DOdge's adjutant and the en-
gineer. The papers were placed
there just as the general was sum
moned to breakfast, and were al
lowed to remain, not experimenting
any theft. A confession by Davis
would have involved the arrest,
trial and execution of Mr.. English,
who lived not more than ten or
twelve miles distant.
Grant Wanted to be on MoOlellan's Staff.
NEWPORT, r. l.. November I'm
speaking Of the late Gen. Mcclellan
to-day, x-GoY. Vanzandt, who had
been very intimate with the deceas-
ed since 1880, authorizes the fol