Fortress Nashville
The Battle of Nashville explained through the lens of fortifications and artillery
Battle of Nashville
Nashville, TN was the logistics headquarters for the United States Army during the last years of the Civil War. The Battle of Nashville, taking place on December 15th-16th, was the final decisive battle on the Western front. After several days of sitting through a winter storm, Union General John Thomas fired on Confederate General John Bell Hood's Army, beginning two days of battle before the Confederate Army was enveloped at Shy's Hill.
Since Nashville was such a critical transportation hub for the Union. It was incredibly heavily fortified. By 1864, Nashville had four major fortifications and over a dozen redoubts around the city. Most cannon were prepared to shoot cannister, an antipersonnel round designed to spray enemy troops with hundreds of small pieces of metal.
Designs for several of the forts constructed around Nashville. Most were designed by Army Engineers and constructed by Free Blacks.
A news except detailing the weapons in Nashville
The city of Nashville was almost impenetrable in late 1864. With the Cumberland river to the North and East, artillery could focus on defending the South and West. Hood's Army of Tennessee had actually arrived just South of Nashville around December 2nd, almost two full weeks before the battle took place. After his troops took devastating losses at the Battle of Franklin, Hood chose to set up a defensive position at the edge of Union artillery's range. Finishing preparations and letting Winter weather subside, General Thomas waited until December 15th to open fire.
From left to right: Napoleons (1,500 yards), Howitzers (1,000 yards), and a Rodman Gun (8,000 yards)
State Capitol
Tennessee was a divided state during the Civil War. The Union ensured support by heavily arming the state, including its Capitol building.
Ft Negley
The centerpiece of fortress Nashville, it is highly likely Ft Negley fired the first shot of the battle. Because of its location and protection by Ft Morton, this fort itself was never engaged by the Confederate army.
Naval Support
Notice the large gap to the East of Ft Negley. While it is strange that this gap existed, General Thomas likely had support from the Union Navy. Read more about the Naval battles here: Naval Story
Union Line
To avoid the larger forts, General Hood attempted to flank the Union to the West. However, the Union's line wrapped around the city and had several redoubts, each with a smooth-bore napoleon or a similar weapon.
Redoubt 3
After using artillery to dominate the first day of the battle, General Thomas used cavalry to begin attacking the Confederate line. This included the battle at Confederate redoubt #3, pictured here
Shy's Hill
Cavalry continued to push the Confederate line further South until the last defended position at Shy's Hill. Up a steep incline in an area that would have been wooded, Union Cavalry slowly attacked, killing Colonel Shy and forcing the rest of his Army to retreat.
