http://www.battleofnashvilletrust.org/

Battle of Nashville Trust, Nashville, TN (2026)

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/.

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/.

07/28/2026

SAVE THE DATE – AUGUST 12!
BONT VP BRANDON HULETTE SCHEDULED FOR PRESENTATION ON NASHVILLE CIVIL WAR HOSPITALS

Battle of Nashville Trust Vice President Dr. Brandon Hulette will present "The Hospitals of Civil War Nashville" on Wednesday, August 12, as part of the popular Profs & Pints Nashville lecture series.

Long before Nashville became known as the "Healthcare Capital of the World," the city served as one of the Civil War's most important centers of military medicine. More than 26 military hospitals cared for over 100,000 wounded and sick soldiers from both Union and Confederate armies, making Nashville a vital hub of wartime healthcare.

Drawing on his expertise as a Vanderbilt University associate professor, epidemiologist, historian, and U.S. Army Medical Service Corps officer, Dr. Hulette will explore the remarkable story of Nashville's Civil War hospitals, the dedicated men and women who served within them, and the locations throughout today's city where these hospitals once stood. He'll also discuss Nashville's hospital train and the city's critical role in caring for the casualties of war.

📅 Wednesday, August 12, 2026
📍 Fait La Force Brewing, 1414 Third Ave. S., Suite 101, Nashville
🕕 Doors open at 6:00 p.m. | Program begins at 7:00 p.m.
🎟️ Tickets: $13.50 in advance • $17 at the door • $15 with valid student ID

We hope you'll join Brandon and BONT for what promises to be a fascinating evening exploring one of Nashville's most overlooked Civil War stories. For tickets and complete event information, visit: https://www.profsandpints.com/nashville and/or https://www.battleofnashvilletrust.org/events/.

07/19/2026

July 18, 2026 -- A GREAT START OF "SATURDAYS ON SHY'S"!

The Battle of Nashville Trust's first-ever "Saturday on Shy's" free battlefield tour was an outstanding success!

Despite the July heat, a group of enthusiastic history lovers gathered at Shy's Hill to explore one of the most important sites of the Battle of Nashville. Led by BONT Executive Director Bobby Whitson, participants learned about the dramatic fighting that took place on the hill in December 1864, viewed the battlefield firsthand, and enjoyed an engaging discussion about the battle, artillery, artifacts, and the soldiers who fought there.

The enthusiastic response has encouraged the Trust to make "Saturday on Shy's" a regular educational program, giving visitors the opportunity to experience this nationally significant battlefield while learning about the events that helped shape our nation's history.

Interested in bringing your own group? The Battle of Nashville Trust would be delighted to host neighborhood associations, schools, church groups, civic organizations, retirement communities, scout troops, and other organizations interested in discovering Nashville's Civil War history.

Watch for announcements of future "Saturday on Shy's" tours—we hope to see you on the battlefield soon!

07/11/2026

SAVE THE DATE! – SATURDAY, JULY 18 – WANT A FREE IN-PERSON TOUR OF SHY’S HILL? 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Free. Reservations required. Please RSVP below.

A message from Bobby Whitson, Exec. Dir. of the Battle of Nashville Trust:

Welcome to “Saturday’s On Shy’s!” We’re trying something new here at the Battle of Nashville Trust, and we want to invite you to spend a morning on Shy’s Hill with us! We plan to have a regular series of open houses of sorts on our battlefield properties for you to learn more about what actually happened at the Battle of Nashville and its importance in the Civil War.

Join me on Shy’s Hill for an opportunity to learn about what happened on Shy’s Hill and about the plans that the BONT has for The Hill. In addition to your being able to learn more about the Battle of Nashville and the action on Shy’s Hill, we want to field your questions and learn what is of interest and of importance to you.

If you attend, you’ll walk away with a better understanding of Bate’s Division of Georgians, Floridians, and Tennesseans that held the hill and McMillen’s Brigade of soldiers from Minnesota, Indiana, Illinois, and Ohio that made the main assault on the hill. You’ll leave knowing what soldiers were where, how the attack unfolded, the direction of the retreat off the hill, and a general idea of the BONT’s plan for better visual interpretation of the hill in the future.

We appreciate and are thankful for your interest and support in helping us in our efforts to preserve and maintain this hallowed ground.

HOW TO RESERVE YOUR SPOT: Meet at 9:00 a.m. at the Shy’s Hill trailhead on Benton Smith Road. With parking being a challenge, we need to limit this first “Saturday on Shy’s” to the first 25 attendees who RSVP to Bobby Whitson at [email protected]. In the future, we’ll plan on having parking arrangements that will allow more attendees.
See you on The Hill!

07/09/2026

July 9, 2026 -- BONT JULY 2026 NEWSLETTER NOW AVAILABLE -- THE BATTLE OF NASHVILLE TRUST LOOKS AHEAD!

In his July message to members and supporters, BONT President Brad Gericke shares his vision for the Trust's future and the ambitious goals guiding its next chapter. He outlines a commitment to building a nationally recognized historical preservation organization dedicated to acquiring, preserving, interpreting, and sharing the story of the Battle of Nashville through battlefield land, structures, artifacts, documents, and educational programs.

Gericke explains that preserving history means more than saving land—it means making these places accessible, engaging, and meaningful for future generations through interpretation, trails, exhibits, and responsible stewardship. His message reflects the vision behind the Trust's ongoing preservation efforts and its commitment to protecting the historic landscapes of the Battle of Nashville before they are lost.

Read President Gericke's complete message, along with the full July 2026 Battle of Nashville Trust Newsletter, on the BONT News page:
https://www.battleofnashvilletrust.org/news/

07/08/2026

July 8, 2026 -- HISTORIC PRESERVATION MILESTONE AT SHY'S HILL!

The Battle of Nashville Trust has announced the acquisition of an additional 1.2-acre tract of historic battlefield land at Shy's Hill, marking the Trust's third property acquisition on the hill in just over two years. The purchase increases BONT's preserved holdings to nearly six acres and represents another major step in its long-term Battle of Nashville Battlefield Preservation Campaign.

This landmark $1.5 million acquisition was made possible through an extraordinary anonymous leadership gift of $500,000—the largest individual donation in the Trust's history. The donor requested no public recognition, expressing the hope that the gift would inspire others to help preserve this nationally significant battlefield for future generations.

Located adjacent to the Trust's Benton Smith Road trailhead, the property includes core battlefield ground where Union and Confederate soldiers fought during the decisive assault on Shy's Hill on December 16, 1864. It also provides exciting new opportunities for expanded historical interpretation, visitor amenities, educational programming, hiking trails, and green space.

This achievement reflects the combined support of dedicated members, volunteers, preservation partners, and generous donors who share the Trust's mission of protecting the Battle of Nashville battlefield before it is lost to development.

Read the complete story on the Battle of Nashville Trust website and learn how you can help preserve this irreplaceable piece of American history. https://www.battleofnashvilletrust.org/news/.

07/07/2026

July 21, 2026 – SAVE THE DATE – NCWRT JULY MEETING

Please join us for the Tuesday, July 21, 2026, meeting of the Nashville Civil War Round Table to be held this month at the Belle Meade Historic Site & Winery, 5025 Harding Pike, Nashville. Cocktails begin at 5:30 p.m., followed by the program at 7:00 p.m. Admission is free, and the public is always welcome.

This month's program, "Civil War Spies," will be presented by Steven Currie of Clarksville. Espionage played a vital role during the Civil War, from gathering military intelligence and intercepting communications to the use of secret codes and undercover agents. Steven's presentation explores the fascinating stories of some of the war's best-known—and least-known—spies, whose daring missions often carried life-or-death consequences.

The July newsletter also features President Howard Mann's engaging historical article, "The Beaus of Maggie Lindsley," which follows the remarkable experiences of young Nashville diarist Maggie Lindsley during the Battle of Nashville. Through her journal, readers gain a unique glimpse into wartime Nashville, the Union officers who courted her, and life on the home front during one of the city's most dramatic periods.

For much more NCWRT news including future program announcements, membership information, and upcoming Roundtable news, see the July newsletter on the Battle of Nashville Trust website at https://www.battleofnashvilletrust.org/nashville-civil-war-roundtable/.

06/30/2026

June 30, 2026 -- PLEASE HELP US PURCHASE NEW SHY'S HILL SITE!

Big News from the Battle of Nashville Trust -- an opportunity for another Shy’s Hill acquisition!

Battle of Nashville Trust supporters, thank you for your continued support of our efforts to honor the service of those who fought here at Nashville in December of 1864! We are excited to share the news that we have the opportunity to buy an additional 1.2 acres of land on Shy's Hill adjacent to our current trail head that leads to the Summit from Benton Smith Rd. Your gift to support this effort would be greatly appreciated!

Why are we buying this parcel?

• Protects hallowed ground from future development.
• Preserves core battlefield land on the hill where the Battle of Nashville was decided.
• Honors troops from Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, and Ohio who fought troops from Florida, Georgia, and Tennessee at this spot.
• Positioned adjacent to our current trail head and summit properties.
• Expands our battlefield footprint to almost 6 acres on Shy's Hill.
• Creates a better opportunity for visitors to envision what transpired here and for the BONT to interpret the action for them.
• Will enable us to increase our hiking trail and green space footprint.

Please consider making a donation today by visiting https://www.battleofnashvilletrust.org/about-us/join/.
Important

Matching Alert – – Every dollar donated toward the new site helps BONT qualify for a significant matching fund that will greatly increase our ability to make this vital purchase!

06/12/2026

June 12, 2026 – JUNE BONT NEWSLETTER IS HERE – NCWRT MEETING JUNE 16

Don't miss the next Nashville Civil War Roundtable meeting on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. at Belle Meade Historic Site and Winery!

IMPORTANT NOTICE: The NCWRT presentation will feature Howard G. Mann, President of the Nashville Civil War Roundtable, speaking on the topic "Love, Tragedy and Redemption," the remarkable story of Nashville native Martha O'Bryan and Confederate officer Robert Yates Beall. Their wartime romance was cut short when Beall was captured and executed near the end of the Civil War after participating in a secret Confederate operation. Martha O'Bryan never married, but dedicated her life to helping others through church-based charitable programs whose legacy continues today. The meeting is open to the public.

The June 2026 Battle of Nashville Trust Newsletter also includes a message from newly elected BONT President Brad Gericke, who outlines his vision for expanding preservation efforts and strengthening the Trust's mission to protect the memories, land, structures, and artifacts of the Campaign and Battle of Nashville.

In addition, this month's featured article by Casey Gillespie of Belle Meade explores the important role Belle Meade played during the Battle of Nashville.

Read the complete newsletter for more on upcoming events, preservation news, and opportunities to support battlefield preservation at https://www.battleofnashvilletrust.org/news/.

Battle of Nashville Trust

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