The Civil War in Nashville

Occupied by Federal forces since February 1862, Nashville had become a fortified supply center for the Western Theater of the war. Fort Negley was the centerpiece of the complex, mutually supporting fortifications erected for the city's defense which included the nearby Fort Morton (now Rose Park) and the Blockhouse Casino (now Reservoir Hill). The fort is an elaborate star design constructed in stone, from which extends extensive earthworks and redoubts along the southern and western outskirts of the city.

After losing Atlanta to Sherman, Gen. John Hood moved his 15,000-man Army of Tennessee north with the hope of reclaiming Nashville for the Confederacy. Nashville was defended by Gen. George Thomas and 70,000 federal troops. Thomas waited several days to attack, doing so on December 15th, after the thaw of a severe ice storm.

Moving under an accompanying bombardment from Fort Negley, Thomas engaged the Confederate forces, pushing them back. The following day the three main Confederate positions, including Shy's Hill, fell like dominoes, and the remaining Confederate forces fled southward. Hood's army was virtually wiped out, ending Hood's hope of saving the Confederacy. On April 9, 1865, less than four months after Hood's defeat, the war was ended with Gen. Robert E. Lee's surrender to Gen. U.S. Grant at Appomattox.

Related is the Battle of Franklin on November 30, barely two weeks prior to the Battle of Nashville. Having lost the race with Gen. John M. Schofield, whose IV and XXIII Army Corps eluded Hood while he slept in nearby Spring Hill, Hood attacked the hastily erected Federal fortifications in Franklin. Five hours later Hood's losses numbered over 6,000 casualties, including 1,750 dead, six general officers killed, one captured, and five more generals wounded. The next day found Schofield evacuated and Hood resuming his march to Nashville.

To the southeast of Nashville is the Stones River National Battlefield in Murfreesboro. Part of the struggle for Middle Tennessee took place here on a foggy, wet December 31, 1862 morning when Confederate muskets surprised sleepy Union soldiers. Before this battle ended on January 2, 1863, more than 83,000 men had fought on this battlefield on the Stones River near Murfreesboro, nearly one-third of them becoming casualties.

National Register Sites associated with the Civil War in the Nashville area include:

Battle of Nashville Monument.  This monument has recently been moved and restored on this site. Corner of Granny White Pike and Battlefield.

Carnton Plantation. During the Battle of Franklin the plantation area represented the rear lines of Stewart's Corps. The home was used as a hospital for the Confederate army. On the grounds is the Confederate Cemetery. See "Museums" for hours.

Carter House. Located a short distance from downtown Franklin, the Carter House was on the front line of the Battle of Franklin. See "Museums" for hours.

Confederate Cemetery. There are 483 Confederate soldiers buried in this cemetery (most died at the Confederate Soldiers' Home, one mile to the north). Lebanon Road and Shute Lane. Open M-Su 9-5, self-guided tours available, admission free. Historic marker.

Confederate Circle Monument. This monument at Mt. Olivet Cemetery is ringed by the graves of seven Confederate generals and over 1500 Confederate soldiers, interred here from battlefields. 1101 Lebanon Road. Open M-Sa 8:30-5, self-guided tours available, admission free.

Fort Grainger. During the Battle of Franklin the site served as the headquarters of Gen. Schofield. Artillery deployed in the redoubt fired across the distance into Stewart's advancing Confederate forces. Located off Eddy Lane, accessible by hiking path and Fort Granger Road.

Fort Negley. Begun in 1862, Fort Negley is a stone star fort constructed as part of the Union defenses for Nashville. It was restored by the WPA in 1934.  After suffering years of neglect, Fort Negley has been restored and is now open to the public. 

Little Theater, Fisk University. Erected c1862 as part of a Union Army hospital barracks, the interior of this structure was renovated for use as the Fisk University theater in 1935. Historic marker. 

Sam Davis Home. This two-story wood frame house, built in 1810, is the boyhood home of Sam Davis, who was hung as a Confederate spy during the Civil War. Smyrna. See "Museums" for hours.

Shy's Hill Park. This public space is the location of the decisive engagement of the Battle of Nashville, where the Union forces clinched victory by breaking the Confederate line. 4619 Benton Smith Road. Historic marker. 

Stones River National Battlefield. Located 27 miles southeast of Nashville on the Old Nashville Highway. Open 8-5 daily, admission free.

Historic Markers for the Battle of Nashville

Federal Defenses. Centennial Park, west of Parthenon.

Federal Defenses-Dec. 2-15, 1864. 1st Ave. South and Edgehill Ave.

Outer Federal Defenses-Dec. 2, 1864. 21st Ave. South and Bernard Ave.

Federal Defensive Line-Dec. 15, 1864. 12th Ave. South and Acklen Ave.

Schofield's Jump-off Line-Dec. 15, 1864. 12th Ave. South and Acklen Ave.

Steedman's Line of Departure-Dec. 5, 1864. Nashville General Hospital, Hermitage Ave.

Steedman's Position-Dec. 15, 1864. Lafayette Street and Claiborne Street.

Lee's Position-Dec. 15, 1864. Franklin Road and Thompson Lane.

IV Corps Jump-off Line-Dec. 15, 1864. 21st Ave. South and Linden Ave.

Assault on Montgomery Hill-Dec. 15, 1864.  21st Ave. South and I-440.

XVI Corps Line of Departure-Dec. 15, 1864. West End Ave. and Orleans Drive.

Cavalry Action-Dec. 15, 1864. Charlotte Ave. between 33rd Ave. North and 35th Ave. North.

Cavalry Action-Dec. 15, 1864. Charlotte Pike past 54th Ave. North, west of Richland Creek Bridge.

Defense by Ector's Brigade-Dec. 15, 1864. 4243 Harding Road.

Redoubt No. 1 Defended by Stewart's Corp.  This was the only portion of Hood's left line that held against the advance of the Union. Once they were flanked by the taking of Redoubts Nos. 3, 4, and 5, Hood's men retreated. Located at Hillsboro Road and Burton Hills Road.

Battle of Nashville-Confederate Line. 1808 Woodmont Blvd.

Confederate Outpost- Dec. 15, 1864. Hillsboro Road and Graybar Lane.

Lumsden's Defense-Dec. 15, 1864 Hillsboro Road and Hobbs Road.

Taking of Redoubt No. 5-Dec. 15, 1864. When Couch's division of XXIII Corps took this hill and captured Smith's XVI Corps, they flanked the Confederate forces, leading to the attack on Shy's Hill, which ultimately led to the retreat of Hood's Army of Tennessee. Located at Hillsboro Road and Hampton Avenue.

Confederate Defenses-Dec. 15, 1864. 3506 Granny White Pike.

Confederate Defenses-Dec. 15, 1864. Granny White Pike and Shackleford Road.

Cheatham's Line-Dec. 15, 1864. Nolensville Road and Peachtree Street.

Confederate Position-Dec. 16, 1864. 4700 block of Granny White Pike.

Battle of Nashville-Stewart's Line. 4616 Leland Lane.

Smith's Assault-Dec. 16, 1864. 4515 Shy's Hill Road.

Battle of Nashville-Shy's Hill. 4619 Benton Smith Road.

Schofield's Assault-Dec. 16, 1864. Granny White Pike and Harding Place.

Confederate Defenses-Dec. 16, 1864. 4400 block of Franklin Road.

Battle of Nashville-Peach Orchard Hill.  Franklin Road and north side of ridge on Harding Place.

Hood's Retreat-Dec. 16, 1864. Franklin Road and Lakemont Drive.

United Daughters of the Confederacy. The site of the regular meeting of the Frank Cheatham Bivouac, United Confederate Veterans, it was here on September 10, 1894 that Caroline M. Goodlett called together a group of women and organized the National Daughters of the Confederacy. A year later the name was changed to the United Daughters of the Confederacy. 311 Church Street.