BOONE, IOWA. FRIDAY MORNING, AUGUST 2, 1912

CHAPTER XVII

In writing these sketches, before I close, I want to chronicle the death of Sam Davis, a Tennessee hero. The following condensed sketch was furnished by Joshua Brown, of New York city, who was a member of the 2nd Kentucky cavalry of the C. S. A. and was a fellow scout of Sam Davis. He says, “As you requested I will give you my personal recollections of the capture, imprisonment and execution of Sam Davis, one of the noblest patriots that ever died for his country. Other patriots have died for their country. Capt. Morton Williams and Lieut. Peters who were hanged at Franklin, Tenn. by the Federals knew that death was inevitable and died like brave soldiers, but Davis had continuance of life, pardon and a pass offered him through the lines, if he would only reveal where he got the information and papers that were found on his person and in his saddle seat, but he knew that the man who gave them to him was at that moment in jail with him, Col. Shaw, chief of Bragg’s scouts, who had charge of the secret service of the Army of the Tennessee. Gen. Bragg had sent the scouts into Middle Tennessee to see what the Federal army was doing and to report the same to him, at Caattanooga by courier. When we received our orders we were told it was a very serious undertaking and they expected but few of us to return. After the scouts had been in Tennessee about ten days we watched the 16th corps, commanded by Gen. Dodge, move up from Corinth, Miss. To Pulaski, Tenn. We agreed that we would leave for the south on the 19th of November, 1863. A number had been captured and several killed. We were to start that night each for himself. Each had his own information, but I did not write it down or make a memorandum of it for fear of being captured. We had counted every regiment and all the artillery of the 16th corps and had found out that they were moving to Chattanooga. Late in the afternoon we started out and ran into the 7th Kansas cavalry, known as the “Kansas Jayhawkers.” When we were told what regiment had captured us we thought our time had come.

We were taken to Pulaski, about fifteen miles away and put into jail where several other prisoners had been sent. Among them was Sam Davis. I talked with him over our prospects of imprisonment and escape, which were very gloomy. Davis said they had searched him and found some papers on him and that he had been taken to general headquarters and that they had found in his saddle seat maps and descriptions of the fortifications at Nashville and at other points, and an exact report of the Federal army in Tennessee. They found in his boot this letter which was intended for Gen. Bragg.

Giles County, Tenn. Nov. 18, 1863. Col. A. McKinstry, Prov. Marshal Gen. Army of the Tennessee, Chattanooga, Tenn.

Dear Sir:–

I send you seven Nashville papers, three Louisville papers and one Cincinnati paper. I also send for Gen. Bragg three wash balls of soap, three tooth brushes, and two blank books. I could not get a larger size diary for him I will send a pair of shoes and slippers and some more soap, gloves and socks soon. The Yankees are still camped on the line of the Tennessee & Alabama railroad. Gen. Dodge’s headquarters are at Pulaski. His main force is camped from that place to Lynville, some at Elk river and two regiments at Athens, Ala. Gen. Dodge has issued an order to the people of those counties to report all stock, grain and forage to him and he will give vouchers for it, upon refusal to report that he will take it without pay. They are now taking all they can find. Gen. Dodge says he knows they are all southern and does not ask them to swear to a lie. All the spare forces around Nashville are being sent to McMinnville. Six batteries and twelve Parrot guns were sent forward on the 14th, 15th and 16th. It is understood that it is to work in front. Telegrams suppressed. Davis has returned, Gregg has gone below. Everything is beginning to work better. I send Roberts with things for you and Gen. Bragg with dispatches. I think the Yankees will stay. Everything looks that way. I understand that part of Sherman’s army has reached Shelbyville. I hope to be able to post you soon. The dispatches I sent you on the 7th reached Decatur on the 10th.

Here is Sam Davis’ pass:

Headquarters Bragg’s Scouts

Middle Tennessee, Sept. 25, 1863

Samuel Davis has permission to pass anywhere in Middle or south of the Tennessee river as he may see proper.

By order of Gen. Bragg

F. Coleman, Comdg. Scouts

The next morning Davis was again taken to Gen. Dodge’s headquarters and this is what took place between them, as Gen. Dodge told me recently. Gen. Dodge says he took Davis into his private office and told him it was a very serious charge against him, that he was a spy, and what was found upon his person showed that he had accurate information regarding my army and I must know where he obtained it. I told him he was a young man and he seemed not to realize the danger he was in. Up to that time he had said nothing, but he replied in the most respectful and dignified manner. “Gen. Dodge, I realize the danger of my situation and am willing to take the consequences.”

I then asked him to give me the name of the party who gave him the information as I knew it must be some one near headquarters or who had the confidence of my staff officers and repeated that I meant to know the source from which the information came. I told him I would have to call a court martial and have him tried for his life and from the proof we had we would be compelled to convict him.

He replied, “I know that. I know I will have to die, and I will not tell where I got the information. There is no power on earth that can make me tell it. You, General, are doing your duty as a soldier. I am doing my duty to my country and my God.”

I plead with him, said Gen. Dodge, and urged him with all the power I possessed to give me some chance to save his life, for I discovered that he was a most admirable young man, with the highest character and strictest integrity. Davis then said “It is useless for you to talk to me. I do not intend to do it. You may court martial me and do anything else you like, but I will not betray the trust reposed in me.”

He thanked me for the interest I had taken in him and I sent him back to prison and immediately called a court martial to try him.