The southern sentinel. (Winnfield, La.) 1883-1910, 1906-10-26
A CONFEDERATE HERO
Young Sam Davis of Tennessee
the Subject of a Poem
and Grafton.

livered short address on the her.
oism of Sam Davis, a Tennessee
youth who was murdered by the
Federal Army. Mr.. Oglesby said:
The world has never seen a
nobler hero than Sam Davis. He
was born in Rutherford county,
Tennessee, in 1871, and was a
student in the University of Nash
VILE when the war broke out In
sixty-one consequently he was
20 years of age.
Like thousands of others of his
age throughout the Southland,
he enlisted as Confederate SOL
dier.
In SO he was sent by General
Bragg into the Federal lines
to obtain some valuable informa-
ton. He did this, and judging
from the information itself, he
undoubtedly got it from some one
high in authority in the Federal
army. He was captured and the
information found on him. He
was tried as a spy, found guilty
and sentenced to be hanged. He
was such a brave, noble looking
young man, General - prom
ised him his life if he would tell
him his informant's name. The
boy stood firm and absolutely re-
fused to tell. They erected gal
lows, hoping and praying that the
sight of it might make him tell,
but they were mistaken. The
soldiers detailed as eXecutioners
broke down in tears and the Cen
eral himself, with tears in
his eyes, pleaded with him to tell,
but in reply young Davis said:
"If / had thousand lives. I'd
give them all before [ would be-
tray my informant. He died
true to his trust.
1t was only few years ago
that the South obtained the real
facts and circumstances surround
ing the capture and death of
young Davis. The information
came from the Federal soldiers
themselves, many of whom gave
money 10 erect a monument to
his memory.
Last week the monument was
unveiled at Pulaski, Tenn, the
scene of his death, and no doubt
expresses as much as cement and
marble can, the love and esteem
the South has for her noblest
hero.
John Trotwood Moore tells OF
his heroism in the following beau
tiful poem:
"Tell me his name and you are free"
The general said, while from the tree
The grim rope dangled threatingly.
The birds ceased singing; happy birds,
That song OF home and mother words;
The sunshine kissed his cheek-dear son
It loves a life that's just begun.
The very breezes held their breath,
To watch the fight 'twixt life and death.
How OF how calm and sweet and free
Smiled back the hills of Tennessee.
Smiled back the hills as if to say,
"Oi save your life for Us today
'.Tell me his name and you are free,'
The general said, land will see
You safe within the Rebel line,
I'd love to save such a life as thine"
A tear cleaned down the ranks OF blue
CThe bayonets were tipped with dew)
Across the rugged cheek of war,
Gods angels rolled a teary star;
Atear stood in the generals eye,
my boy, hate to see thee die,
Give me the traitors name and ly''
The boy looked up, twas this they heard:
And would you have me break my word?''
Young Davis stood as calm and free
As He who walked on Galilee;
Had q thousand lives to live,
Had q thousand lives to give,
I'd give them, nay I'd gladly die,
Before I'd live one life lie."
He turned. for not soldier stirred.
Your duty men, gave my word"
The hills smiled back farewell smile.
The breeze sobbed DER his hair awhile.
The birds broke out in sad refrain.
The sunshine kissed his cheek again.
Then gathering up their blazing bars
They shook his name among the stars.
o! stars, that now his brothers are.
o! sun, his sire in life and light.
Go tell the listening world afar
OF him who died for truth and right.
For martyr OF all martyrs he
Who died to save an enemy,
Mr.. Chas. Breard returned yes