One of the most decisive battles of the Civil War, the Battle of Nashville marked the end of the Army of Tennessee as a fighting force. Nearly 10,000 men became casualties as they fought over the hills and farmlands that now are part of Nashville. Today, many of these battlefield sites can still be found, often tucked away in residential areas of Nashville or within a few yards of the interstate. One such site is Peach Orchard Hill.
(AT RIGHT: TCWPA Vice-President and past President of the Battle of Nashville Preservation Society Doug Jones stands near what was the Confederate line atop Peach Orchard Hill.)
The Battle of Nashville Begins on December 15, 1864
Nashville had been occupied by Union forces since February 1862. Confederates under General Hood moved to the outskirts of Nashville after the Battle of Franklin with hopes of retaking the State Capital and this important industrial center. The battle began when Union forces under General Thomas launched a massive attack on Confederate forces who had constructed their line in the area of present-day Hillsboro. By the end of the day, the Confederates fell back down the Franklin Pike and established a new line of defense – from the railroad track at the foot of Peach Orchard Hill (near the intersection of I-65 and Harding Road) to Shy’s Hill, about two miles to the west. Confederate General Stephen Lee’s men were fresh for they had been unscathed during the first day of fighting.
The Second Day of Battle
Action at Peach Orchard Hill
“This Settles it…the Black Man will fight.” General George W. Thomas
Prior to the Battle of Nashville, US Colored Troops (USCT) were used in garrison and guard duty on
railroads around Nashville. The battle at Peach Orchard Hill changed that story.
On the morning of the 16th, Union General Steedman’s 12,000-troop Provisional Division began a series of unsuccessful attacks against the Confederate line at Peach Orchard hill. Union Artillery, at what is now the Father Ryan Academy, pounded the Confederate line. By about 2:45 pm, while a major flanking action occurred at the opposite end of the battle line, Steedman, commanding the USCT, attacked Peach Orchard Hill. In so doing, the Union wanted to misdirect the Confederate defense. USCT soldiers were so effective, Confederate General Hood thought Peach Orchard Hill was the main point of attack. The losses were staggering. 1200 men were killed in this assault. The only Union regiment to reach the Confederate line was the 13th USCT Regiment. They were pushed back, suffering huge casualties. Of the 556 USCT troops, 229 were killed, including five color-bearers. The Confederates held their position on Peach Orchard Hill until later that evening when overwhelming Union forces took Shy’s Hill. Union casualties were so great that after the battle, local accounts reported, one could walk down Peach Orchard Hill to the railroad and “step only on blue.” And Maj. Gen Edward Johnson, while surveying the field at Peach Orchard Hill, asked “where are the white Union officers?”
(AT RIGHT: Today you can walk a portion of the incline to Peach Orchard Hill where USCT Troops made their assault. This open space, next to I-65, is managed by the Tennessee Department of Transportation. To visit, take Exit I-65 at Harding Place, go west to Franklin Road, turn right, then turn right on Elysian Fields Road. Follow to the turn-around at the end of the street. Even with the roar of the nearby interstate traffic, you can imagine the story and honor the sacrifice of the many who fought and died at Peach Orchard Hill.)
Efforts are underway to place an interpretive marker at this site and recognize the role USCT soldiers played at Peach Orchard Hill.
