Welcome to the David O. Dodd Memorial, a place of poignant historical significance nestled in the heart of Arkansas. This memorial commemorates a young boy whose story became a symbol of loyalty and sacrifice during the tumultuous times of the American Civil War.
David Owen Dodd, born on November 10, 1846, in Lavaca County, Texas, was a mere 17 years old when he met his fate. His family moved to Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1856, and by December 1863, David was entrusted with a mission by his father. He was to travel to Union-held Little Rock to deliver letters seeking investment for a tobacco deal. Little did he know, this journey would alter the course of his life.
On December 24, 1863, David crossed Union lines with a pass and a birth certificate showing he was a minor. He was popular among the local girls and made friends with some of the younger Union soldiers during his stay in Little Rock. However, as he attempted to return to his family in Camden, Arkansas, he was stopped by Union soldiers. Lacking a pass, his belongings were searched, and a notebook was found containing the locations of Federal troops.
David was arrested and tried by a military tribunal. Despite his youth and the minimal defense offered, he was found guilty of spying and sentenced to death. On January 8, 1864, David was hanged, maintaining his silence about the source of his information until the end. His stoic demeanor and unwavering loyalty to the Confederacy earned him the title of the ‘Arkansas Boy Martyr of the Confederacy.’
The memorial serves as a reminder of the complexities and harsh realities of war, especially for those caught in its crossfire at a young age. It also stands as a testament to the enduring stories that emerge from even the most turbulent periods in history.
