Battle of Nashville Trust

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Battle of Nashville Trust BONT is a non-profit 501 (c)(3) tax-exempt organization with open membership.

A non-profit organization that seeks to preserve and maintain remaining portions of the Civil War battlefield where the Battle of Nashville occurred on December 15-16, 1864

BONT OCTOBER ROUNDTABLE COMING OCT. 20 -- SAVE THE DATE!What happened to Nashville’s homes and families when the Battle ...
10/11/2026

BONT OCTOBER ROUNDTABLE COMING OCT. 20 -- SAVE THE DATE!

What happened to Nashville’s homes and families when the Battle of Nashville reached their doorsteps? Join the Nashville Civil War Roundtable on Tuesday, October 20, for “Leafy Lot and the Battle of Nashville,” presented by Howard Mann, Roundtable president.

The program will explore the history of "Leafy Lot," now associated with Longview Historic Mansion, including the devastation of the Norvell property by Confederate troops and a comparison with the destruction of the Tyne house by Union forces.

Discover another dimension of the Battle of Nashville through the stories of the properties and families affected by the fighting.

When: Tuesday, October 20, 2026, at 6 p.m.
Where: Longview Historic Mansion, 811 Caldwell Lane, Nashville, TN 37204

Parking is available by the mansion. The meeting is free and open to the public. Everyone interested in Nashville and Civil War history is welcome!

10/11/2026

October, 2026 -- READ THE OCTOBER BONT BULLETIN!

The Battle of Nashville Trust “Bulletin” has been published. Please check it out at www.battleofnashvilletrust.org/news/. It’s October, when in 1864, John Bell Hood was beginning to move the Army of Tennessee out of Georgia and into Alabama to begin the campaign that would bring them into Middle Tennessee.

Our October Bulletin features an update from Executive Director Bobby Whitson on recent battlefield tours, expanded Nashville Civil War Roundtable programs, and outreach to community organizations interested in Nashville’s Civil War history.

This issue also highlights Nashville Civil War Roundtable President Howard Mann’s article, “Leafy Lot/Longview During the Civil War,” exploring the history of the Longview property and the destruction experienced during the Battle of Nashville.

Also included is news of an upcoming Tennessee Historical Marker dedication in Columbia, recognizing Loftin Hill and the roles of Confederate General John Bell Hood and Union Colonel Philip Sidney Post.

As Nashville continues to grow, the Trust remains committed to preserving the battlefield landscapes that connect us to our nation’s history. We invite you to read the latest bulletin and learn more about our work.

NEW TENNESSEE HISTORICAL MARKER TO BE DEDICATED AT LOFTIN HILL IN COLUMBIA (Save the Date – Nov. 29, 2026)The Maury Coun...
09/21/2026

NEW TENNESSEE HISTORICAL MARKER TO BE DEDICATED AT LOFTIN HILL IN COLUMBIA (Save the Date – Nov. 29, 2026)

The Maury County Historical Society will dedicate a new Tennessee Historical Marker commemorating General John Bell Hood and Union Colonel Philip Sidney Post at Loftin Hill in Columbia on Sunday, November 29, at 2 p.m. The brief ceremony will be held along the road at 1363 Iron Bridge Road, Columbia, TN.

Following the ceremony, an open house will be held from 3–6 p.m. at the home of Eric and Sherry Parmenter, 1175 Sequoia Trail, Columbia. The afternoon offers an opportunity to learn more about this important piece of Middle Tennessee Civil War history. Open house RSVP: [email protected]

Events at Loftin Hill preceded the Battle of Nashville during Hood’s march into Tennessee. On November 29, Hood paused there to consult his maps and officers before continuing north toward Spring Hill. Later that day, Confederate and Union troops fought near Spring Hill, but Confederate failure to block the Columbia Pike allowed Schofield's army to slip past Hood's forces during the night and reach Franklin, setting up the next day's Battle of Franklin and the Battle of Nashville three weeks later. For more details, see www.battleofnashvilletrust.org/events/.

09/09/2026

COMING TUESDAY, SEPT. 15, 2026 – THE NASHVILLE CIVIL WAR ROUND TABLE SEPTEMBER MEETING -- JOIN US!

Join us Tuesday, September 15, for the 182nd meeting of the Nashville Civil War Roundtable, featuring BONT Executive Director Bobby Whitson and his presentation, “From the Blockhouses to the Cedars.” Note the new location at Longview Historic Mansion in Nashville!

Whitson will trace the fighting along the railroad from Nashville to Murfreesboro, following the series of engagements that took place from December 2 through the Battle of the Cedars on December 7, 1864, taking a look at the story of the fighting that unfolded along the railroad as Union and Confederate forces clashed in Middle Tennessee in the days leading up to the Battle of Nashville. The public is invited – bring a friend!

📅 Tuesday, September 15, 2026
🕕 6:00 p.m.
📍 Longview Historic Mansion
811 Caldwell Lane, Nashville, TN 37204

09/08/2026

BATTLE OF NASHVILLE TRUST SEPTEMBER “BULLETIN” IS HERE!

In his September message, BONT President Maj. Gen. (ret.) Brad Gericke outlines several of the Trust’s key preservation objectives for the next two years under its Campaign Order. BONT is focusing on the stewardship and interpretation of its core properties—Confederate Redoubt No. 1 and Shy’s Hill—while seeking greater oversight and development of the Battle of Nashville Monument and Park. The Trust also hopes to identify opportunities for pull-aside locations and pocket parks along the battlefield and the route of the Confederate retreat and Union pursuit toward the Tennessee River.

Gericke describes plans for improved maintenance, restoration, signage, trails, artillery displays, monuments and modern interpretation at each site. At Shy’s Hill, where BONT now owns more than five acres, the Trust envisions a multi-phase effort to reclaim and memorialize the historic ground. At Redoubt No. 1 and the Battle of Nashville Monument and Park, new site planning and partnerships will help improve preservation and public understanding.

The September Bulletin also announces the 182nd meeting of the Nashville Civil War Roundtable, Tuesday, September 15, at 6:00 p.m. at Longview Historic Mansion, 811 Caldwell Lane, Nashville. BONT Executive Director Bobby Whitson will present “From the Blockhouses to the Cedars,” tracing the fighting along the railroad from Nashville to Murfreesboro and the series of engagements leading to the Battle of the Cedars on December 7, 1864. The meeting is open to the public.

The Bulletin’s Article of the Month, Howard Mann’s “A Heart-Rending Letter,” examines the final letter written by Second Lieutenant Luther Parks of the 13th United States Colored Troops to his wife during the Battle of Nashville.

The September issue also provides an update on BONT’s popular “Saturday on Shy’s” program, including plans for another program in October. For full details, visit our website at www.battleofnashvilletrust.org/news/.

September 5, 2026 – SECOND “SATURDAY ON SHY’S” SUCCESSFUL DESPITE HEAT WAVE Though the weather was the opposite of what ...
09/05/2026

September 5, 2026 – SECOND “SATURDAY ON SHY’S” SUCCESSFUL DESPITE HEAT WAVE
Though the weather was the opposite of what soldiers faced in Nashville when they fought on Shy’s Hill in December of 1864, 15 brave but fully-engaged attendees joined Exec. Dir. Bobby Whitson during today’s heat-wave to learn about the events that took place on Shy’s Hill during the Battle of Nashville. Whitson declared the second-ever “Saturday on Shy’s” a success and announced another one would be scheduled for October.

“We are so thankful for the opportunity to engage with this community that is like-minded and focused on honoring and preserving the memory of those that sacrificed here,” Whitson said. “Thank you for braving the weather and joining us! Be sure to join us for the next one in October; stay tuned for a date, hopefully in cooler weather!” Saturday on Shy’s is a free program made available by the Battle of Nashville Trust and is led by Whitson.

08/24/2026

“SATURDAY ON SHY’S” — SEPTEMBER 5 PROGRAM IS FULL!

The Battle of Nashville Trust thanks everyone who expressed interest in our September 5 “Saturday on Shy’s” battlefield program. The limited number of available spaces filled very quickly, and all reservations have now been taken.

We are delighted by the enthusiastic response to this new BONT program, which gives participants an opportunity to get out on the historic ground at Shy’s Hill, learn more about the Battle of Nashville, ask questions, and see and handle examples of weapons and artifacts associated with the battle.

If you were unable to reserve a place for September 5, please stay tuned. BONT plans to schedule another “Saturday on Shy’s” program in October and will announce details as soon as they are available.

Thank you for your tremendous interest in Shy’s Hill and in the Battle of Nashville Trust’s continuing efforts to preserve, interpret and share this important battlefield.

SAVE THE DATE“SATURDAY ON SHY’S” FREE TOUR RETURNS — SEPTEMBER 5!UPDATE — SEPTEMBER 5: ALL SPOTS ARE NOW RESERVED. NO AD...
08/22/2026

SAVE THE DATE
“SATURDAY ON SHY’S” FREE TOUR RETURNS — SEPTEMBER 5!

UPDATE — SEPTEMBER 5: ALL SPOTS ARE NOW RESERVED. NO ADDITIONAL RESERVATIONS ARE AVAILABLE. Please watch for information about our next “Saturday on Shy’s” program in October.

After a very successful first “Saturday on Shy’s” in July, the Battle of Nashville Trust is ready for round two!

Join us Saturday, September 5, at 9:00 a.m. at the Shy’s Hill trailhead on Benton Smith Road for another free 2-hour morning tour on the Nashville battlefield.

Come with your questions about the Battle of Nashville, Shy’s Hill and BONT. Participants will hear an overview of the fighting on the Hill, learn where Confederate and Union troops were positioned and how the attack unfolded, and have an opportunity to handle sample weapons and artifacts from the battle. We’ll also discuss BONT’s plans for improving the historical interpretation of Shy’s Hill.

SPACE IS LIMITED: Because parking remains a challenge, the September 5 program is limited to the first 20 people who RSVP.

📍 Shy’s Hill trailhead, Benton Smith Road
📅 Saturday, September 5
⏰ 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
🎟️ FREE, but advance reservation is required by emailing Bobby Whitson at [email protected].

Come spend a Saturday morning on the ground where the Battle of Nashville was decided — and learn more about why preserving this hallowed ground matters.

August 10, 2026 – BATTLE OF NASHVILLE TRUST NEWSLETTER IS NOW AVAILABLE This month's Bulletin begins with an important ...
08/11/2026

August 10, 2026 – BATTLE OF NASHVILLE TRUST NEWSLETTER IS NOW AVAILABLE

This month's Bulletin begins with an important message from BONT President Brad Gericke, explaining the Trust's newly revised mission and the thinking behind its carefully chosen language, which states that:

"The Battle of Nashville Trust protects the memories, land, structures, and artifacts of the Campaign and Battle of Nashville to honor the history of all who fought and lived through the American Civil War in Tennessee by maintaining and interpreting the battlefield through world-class preservation, education, and advocacy."

The Bulletin also previews the August 18 Nashville Civil War Roundtable meeting, featuring BONT Vice President Brandon Hulette presenting "What Lies Beneath: The Battle of Nashville," and Howard Mann's featured article, "Caring For the Sick and Wounded at Nashville," about the courageous women who served as surgeons and nurses during the Civil War.

In discussing the Mission Statement, Gericke highlights and discusses three aspects of the statement. First, the Trust seeks to protect not only battlefield land, but also structures, artifacts, documents and other materials that convey the memory of the Battle. Second, BONT seeks to honor the history of "all who fought and lived" through the events of 1861–1865 in Tennessee—soldiers and civilians, men and women, Black and white. Finally, "preservation, education, and advocacy" define the three functions through which the Trust will carry out its mission. For full details, visit the BONT website at https://www.battleofnashvilletrust.org/news/.

July 28, 2026BATTLE OF NASHVILLE TRUST GIVES VISITING CIVIL WAR ENTHUSIASTS A GUIDED BATTLEFIELD TOURThe Battle of Nashv...
07/29/2026

July 28, 2026
BATTLE OF NASHVILLE TRUST GIVES VISITING CIVIL WAR ENTHUSIASTS A GUIDED BATTLEFIELD TOUR

The Battle of Nashville Trust today had the pleasure of hosting three knowledgeable Civil War enthusiasts from Indiana and South Carolina for a battlefield tour, and its executive director invited others to request the Trust for future tours.

Exec. Dir. Bobby Whitson led Richard Mozer, Norman Mozer, and Norman Dilworth on a three-hour journey through some of the Battle of Nashville’s most significant sites. Beginning in North Nashville, the tour included stops at Granbury’s Lunette, Monument Park, Redoubt No. 1, and Shy’s Hill.

At each location, Bobby shared the history and military significance of the fighting that took place on December 15–16, 1864. With everyone in the group well-versed in Civil War history, the tour became an engaging exchange of ideas, questions, and conversation about the Battle of Nashville and its implications for the broader Civil War.

“We truly enjoyed spending the afternoon with Richard, Norman, and Norman, and we hope they enjoyed their visit as much as we enjoyed hosting them,” Whitson said. He encouraged any other small groups interested in exploring the battleground to contact him to schedule a visit through the website at https://www.battleofnashvilletrust.org/about-us/contact-us/.

Address

Nashville, TN
37219

Telephone

+16158045068

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