In December 1863 and January of 1864, Little Rock was a Union
occupied town. During this period David Owen Dodd, a boy of 17, was
involved in a series of evens that let to his hanging as a spay. As
a result he became known as the "Boy Hero of the Confederacy."
Dodd lived in Camden and came to Little Rock in early December to
conduct family business. During his return journey Union soldiers
discovered information regarding troop dispositions in Little Rock
in his possession. Dodd was arrested, given a brief military trial,
found guilty of spying and condemned to death by hanging. Believing
that the information that convicted him was too detailed for Dodd to
have obtained without help, Union General Frederick Steele offered
leniency if he would identify his source. Dodd repeatedly refused.
His hanging occurred on January 8 at a site on the grounds of St.
John's College.
Ten-Mile House where Dodd was taken after his
capture.
David O. Dodd, age 17 years.
"Do not weep for me for I will be better off in
heaven. I will soon be out of this world of sorrow and trouble. I
would like to see you before I die, but, let God's will be done not
ours." - David O. Dodd in a final letter to his family.
There were about 5,000 spectators present to witness
the execution. Besides the spectators, there were present four
Battalions of Union soldiers - so placed as to form a square, with
the gallows in the center.
General Steele, fearing a public disturbance,
directed that Dodd's funeral be kept simple. A brief service was
conducted in this house that stood near the corner of Fifth and
Rock Streets.
The adjacent granite monument was erected in 1926 by the United
Daughters of the Confederacy to mark the hanging site. It was
approximately 500 yards east of this location. In the early
1960's the monument was relocated because of Interstate
construction.
