The statue is no longer located inside the southwest entrance of the Capitol but rather is located in the southwest corner of the Capitol's lawn.
The statue of is of Sam Davis standing with his arms crossed in front of him. He is wearing a jacket and trousers with belt with CSA on the buckle. The statue is standing on a limestone with with plaques attached.
Front plaque inscription:
SAM DAVIS OF TENNESSEE BORN OCTOBER 6, 1842, NEAR MURFREESBORO, TENNESSEE. EDUCATED AT THE WESTERN MILITARY INSTITUTE, AT NASHVILLE IN NOVEMBER, 1863, WHEN ON DUTY, UNIFORMED IN CONFEDERATE BUTTERNUT AND GREY, DAVIS WAS CAPTURED IN HIS NATIVE STATE THEN WITHIN THE FEDERAL LINES. IMPORTANT PAPERS, DESCRIPTIVE OF THE FEDERAL FORTIFICATIONS AND FORCES, WERE FOUND UPON HIS PERSON. THESE PAPERS HAD BEEN GIVEN DAVIS BY CAPTAIN SHAW, WHO HAD ALSO BEEN CAPTURED AND WAS CONFINED IN THE SAME PRISON./DAVIS WAS TRIED BY COURTMARTIAL, CONDEMNED TO DEATH AND EXECUTED AT PULASKI, NOVEMBER 27. THE FEDERAL COMMANDER OFFERED DAVIS HIS LIFE IF HE WOULD TELL WHO GAVE HIM THE PAPERS. TO THIS OFFER, UNDER THE VERY SHADOW OF THE GALLOWS, DAVIS MADE HIS IMMORTAL REPLY: "I WOULD DIE A THOUSAND DEATHS BEFORE I WOULD BETRAY A FRIEND."/"GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN THAN THIS-THAT A MAN LAY DOWN HIS LIFE FOR HIS FRIENDS."
Left plaque:
SAM DAVIS
WHEN THE LORD CALLS UP EARTH'S HEROES,
TO STAND BEFORE HIS FACE,
O, MANY A NAME, UNKNOWN TO FAME
SHALL RING FROM THAT HIGH PLACE;
THEN OUT OF THE GRAVE IN THE SOUTHLAND
AT THE JUST GOD'S CALL AND BECK,
SHALL ONE MAN RISE WITH FEARLESS EYES
WITH A ROPE ABOUT HIS NECK;
O SOUTHLAND; BRING YOUR LAURELS,
AND ADD YOUR WREATH, O NORTH!
LET GLORY CLAIM THE HERO'S NAME
AND TELL THE WORLD HIS WORTH.
ELLA WHEELER WILCOX
Right plaque:
1842 SAM DAVIS 1863
"THE BOYS WILL HAVE TO FIGHT
THE BATTLES WITHOUT ME."
HE GAVE ALL HE HAD-
LIFE;
HE GAINED ALL HE LACKED-
IMMORTALITY.
THIS MONUMENT IS ERECTED
BY CONTRIBUTIONS FROM CITIZENS
IN EVERY STATE IN THE AMERICAN UNION,
ON THE SITE AUTHORIZED BY THE 51ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY
OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE.
1909