NASHVILLE — There’s still a gouge cut into the slope of Shy’s Hill in Nashville where Confederate soldiers hunkered down in a trench 150 years ago.
It was the last big battle in the western theater of the Civil War, and the place where the Union army broke the line en route to a crucial victory.
Visitors to the hill on Saturday had it easier than those soldiers — although the hill still makes for a steep trek — during a citywide living history day to mark the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Nashville.
For the first time, 10 local Civil War historical sites banded together for the massive event, weaving stories together to show how, and exactly where, the war made its impact on the city.
“We refer to the ‘Battle of the Donut Den,’ ” said John Allyn, president of the Battle of Nashville Preservation Society.
Laughing, Allyn described a Civil War scene playing out across Green Hills over land now populated by far more modern landmarks. Where Hillsboro High School now stands — and, yes, the Donut Den — soldiers once ran, he said.
“If you live in Green Hills, Forest Hills, Oak Hill, you live on a battlefield,” Allyn said. “We always make a point to put modern points of reference in.”
The sound of muskets crackled again on Shy’s Hill, south of Harding Pike. Across the city, demonstrations also offered glimpses of the more pedestrian parts of wartime life — cooking over open fires, examples of medical care and even the hands-on process once required to make a photograph.
“The cannons are going off. The horses have been behaving,” said Mary Kerr, director of Travellers Rest Plantation.
Kerr said that uniting the historic sites for the day drew in many first-time visitors, an outcome that organizers first started planning for nearly two years ago.
“That was really the beginning of us seeing the benefits of collaboration,” she said.
She said leaders of each site have gotten to know one another better through planning for the large-scale anniversary, and that they hope to use the momentum for more joint events.
Looking ahead, Kerr said there’s a better chance than ever for people to connect with the city’s Civil War history.
Battle lines were formed south of Nashville awaiting a Confederate advance. This line was south of Ft. Casino, which is the present day water reservoir on 8th Ave. Reservoir Park is at this location currently. Historic photo from Civil War glass negative collection (Library of Congress). 2014 color photo and photo merge illustration by Larry McCormack (Photo: Larry McCormack, / The Tennessean)
The swing railroad bridge across the Cumberland River was originally a covered bridge, but uncovered and fortified during the Civil War with guards to keep enemy forces from crossing the river at that site. It was a swing bridge to allow paddle wheelers and other tall ships passage when they wouldn’t fit under the bridge. The current CSX Cumberland Swing Bridge sits on its original stone piers. Historic photo from Civil War glass negative collection (Library of Congress). 2014 color photo and photo merge illustration by Larry McCormack (Photo: Larry McCormack, / The Tennessean)
This rail yard, situated near Spring Street, of the Nashville, Chattanooga, and St. Louis Railway during the Civil War, was a busy place as the Union army built warehouses to hold food, clothing and ammunition. The Gothic brick building is the passenger depot. This is still in the place where trains travel through Nashville. Historic photo courtesy of the James Hoobler Photograph Collection/Tennessee Historical Society housed at the Tennessee State Library and Archives. 2014 color photo and photo merge illustration by Larry McCormack (Photo: Larry McCormack, / The Tennessean)
Fortifications and troop tents, as well as four brush arbors, are in the yard of the Tennessee State Capitol next to the construction office. Work began on the building in 1854 and was completed in 1859. Union troops and cannons stood ready to protect the Capitol during the Battle of Nashville, but the Confederates never made it that far. Historic photo courtesy of the James Hoobler Photograph Collection/Tennessee Historical Society housed at the Tennessee State Library and Archives. 2014 color photo and photo merge illustration by Larry McCormack (Photo: \, Larry McCormack / THE TENNESSEAN)
Union troops occupied the Tennessee capital in February 1862 shortly after the fall of Fort Donelson on the Cumberland River. It was the first Southern capital to fall. The city became one of the most fortified in the country protecting a vast Union supply depot. These troops are on the capitol steps facing West. Historic photo from Civil War glass negative collection (Library of Congress). 2014 color photo and photo merge illustration by Larry McCormack (Photo: Larry McCormack, / The Tennessean)
