Battle of Nashville | A Desperate Confederate Army | American Civil War

In a last desperate attempt to force Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman’s army out of Georgia, Gen. John Bell Hood led the Army of Tennessee north toward Nashville in November 1864. Although he suffered terrible losses at Franklin on November 30, he continued toward Nashville. Hood reached the outskirts of Nashville on December 2, occupied positions on a line of hills parallel to those of the Union, and began erecting fieldworks. On December 15, the Union launched a demonstration on the Confederate right across the line of the Nashville & Chattanooga Railroad. At the same time, the main assault fell on a cluster of redoubts on the Confederate left. The Union renewed the attack on the afternoon of December 16 and drove the Confederate troops out of Nashville. In six months of campaigning, the Army of Tennessee had lost nearly 75% of its fighting force and ceased to be a serious threat to the Federals. The Union victory at Nashville shattered Hood's Army of Tennessee and effectively ended the war in Tennessee.
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[@ProjectPast1565]

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[@WalkTaller]

Good job. A shame more wasn’t preserved

[@ProjectPast1565]

Thanks for watching. Yeah, I’d love to see more of that battlefield. Glad they have something though.

[@rolandmiller5456]

Preservation wasn't a priority back then.

[@Blackinterceptor999]

My Great Great Great Great Grandfather was a Corporal in the U.S. Army from MN fought in the battles of Vicksburg, Nashville, Farmington, Corinth, he was definitely in this battle you talked about here.

[@ProjectPast1565]

Thanks for sharing your family’s story and for watching.

[@Blackinterceptor999]

@@ProjectPast1565 and thank you for providing the historical context for the one of his battles, I’d say he was pretty lucky to only retire from his service with a permanent limp considering that so many he served with died in battle… I’ve read that him and his fellow Norse soldiers from MN that also served with him sang Army cadences in Norsk…that sure must have put a fright into their enemy’s! “We’re fighting the Vikings??!!!” Lol 😂 His name was Elling Engbretson Lyseng of the U.S. Army he was Corporal when he retired from service ...

[@ProjectPast1565]

@@Blackinterceptor999 I can only imagine what he witnessed in some of those battles. That’s pretty cool singing cadence Norse! I’ve never heard that before

[@Blackinterceptor999]

@@ProjectPast1565 I got that info from a Norwegian genealogy book by Ann Hong Rutt called Our Norwegian ancestors and their siblings and descendants. Later today I’m going to go to the library and try and find it, or have them find it…apparently it’s a hard one to track down.

[@greenwave819]

Nobody actually fought at all the mentioned battles you named. those were different armies entirely

[@mushluvdbyjah9202]

In one of the decisive battles of the war, two brigades of Black troops helped crush one of the South's finest armies at the Battle of Nashville. Black troops opened the battle on the first day and successfully engaged the right of the rebel line. On the second day Col. Charles R. Thompson's Black brigade made brilliant charge up Overton Hill. Thirteenth U.S.C.T. sustained more casualties than any other regiment involved in the battle.

[@ProjectPast1565]

Hood’s army was far from being a fine army at this point in the war but you’re correct about the USCT’s. They fought valiantly here at Nashville just like they have in previous engagements.

[@MarshaBonForte]

How sad and shortsighted it was for the City of Nashville to not preserve more of the battlefield.

[@samuelhpardew751]

My Great Grandfather was there. 36th Miss. Inf. Sear's brigade.

[@501chorusecho]

you're a cool guy...thank you for doing this

[@ProjectPast1565]

I’ve been called a lot of other things on this platform 😂. I appreciate it and thanks for watching

[@bradleyhajost7161]

Thank you for presenting such in depth insights into the pivotal Battle of Nashville. 👍🏻

[@HistorySavior1941]

Awesome episode man!!! Loved every second! Too bad the tree didn’t talk back. I was interested on what it had to say as well…..maybe next time lol. Awesome video my friend!

[@ProjectPast1565]

Thanks for watching bud! It was an interesting battle to learn about.

[@travisbayles870]

My great great grandfather and my 3 great uncle who were in the 32nd Tennessee Infantry CSA fought at Franklin and Nashville

[@ProjectPast1565]

Thanks for sharing your family’s story. Hard to imagine what he went through.

[@travisbayles870]

It was a sad and terrible day for both sides Thanks for all your great programs

[@JOSEPHMATTHEWHOLLAND]

❤ God Bless Dixie ❤

[@chrissmoot7038]

Thank you for this interesting video.

[@ProjectPast1565]

Thanks for watching

[@bryanjorgenson9450]

As a Minnesota boy id love to have a beer with you on that hill ..the best video of Shys hill i have seen.. which is why there is a Minnesota flag flying in the trio of flags on that hill

[@ProjectPast1565]

That sounds like a good time to me. Such a beautiful area and I’m glad to hear you enjoyed the video. Thanks for watching.

[@williampaz2092]

After Atlanta was occupied, I have always wondered if there was anything else Southern General John Bell Hood could have done. Sherman was marching the Yankee Army of the Tennessee River to Savannah and Yankee General George “Pap” Thomas (one of the best generals on the Union side) rebuilding the Yankee of the Cumberland River in Nashville. Hood was in the middle. Seriously, was there anything else that he could do?

[@lthom5158]

Excellent video! Never knew about the military crest! The sound effects were a great touch!

[@ProjectPast1565]

Thanks as always! I always appreciate your feedback!

[@kenneth-pc7mf]

My great- great -grandfather and his two Brothers served in the Union Army of the Potomac They were in Maryland and Pa. Units They,according to theitmr journals,saw some serious sh** . As a Yankee,I am happy that the Republic was saved at a terrible cost But,the Southern States were getting hosed financially by D C as far as taxation. The South had legitimate gripes.

[@nevrock1]

Awesome video! My Greatx3 Grandfather was in Company A with the 115th Illinois Volunteer Infantry under Thomas.

[@ProjectPast1565]

Thanks! Appreciate you sharing your family’s story!

[@missmissy2490]

Excellent episode. Thank you so much.

[@ProjectPast1565]

I appreciate that. Thanks for watching

[@jollyjohnthepirate3168]

If you want to read a personal account of this battle and the entire war, read Sam Watkins Company Aitch. He was an infantryman in the First Tennessee Infantry. He's a great story teller and mixes dread of the bloody carnage with humor all from an eye witness who marched and fought through these battles.

[@ProjectPast1565]

Thanks! I really enjoy reading first hand accounts. Really helps paint the picture.

[@williampaz2092]

Private Sam Watkins of Company “H” accidentally stumbled into Confederate General John Bell Hood’s tent two days after the Battle of Nashville. He stared at the man the entire Confederate Army of Tennessee had grown to hate. I’m not even sure Hood knew he was there. Hood sat staring off into the distance, tears streaming down his face. All of Sam Watkins’ anger turned into pity and he turned and quietly walked out. Within a month Hood would resign his Commission.

[@randallkelley3600]

If you haven't, you ought to go to the Perryville battlefield in KY. It basically remained farmland until it was turned into a park.

[@ProjectPast1565]

It’s definitely on the list!

[@Joel-in-Las-Vegas]

Terrific video and information. Looking forward to visiting Nashville.

[@ProjectPast1565]

Happy to hear that! Thanks for watching

[@jjnovotny8110]

An amazing video. You did an excellent job and are a well spoken young man. I’m going here next weekend. Other than Fort Negley, Redoubt one, Monument park and Shy’s hill, is there anything else or anywhere else I could see on the Nashville Battle? Thank you.

[@ProjectPast1565]

I appreciate that and thank you for the kind words. The battle of Nashville trust may have more information but I covered the main sites in the video. They have a great site with lots of information. Thanks for watching!

[@sewing1243]

My Great-Great-Grandfather, Albert Ewing, and his brother, Edmund Ewing, were at this battle with the 97th OVI (2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, IV Corps, of the Army of the Cumberland).

[@bwhit1080]

Nice work here! Connect with us at the Battle of Nashville Trust as we work to save/preserve core battlefield, like Shy's Hill, in Nashville as well as educate/interpret the battle for those that are interested. Keep up the great work, and thank you again for your coverage of Nashville!

[@ProjectPast1565]

Thanks for watching! I absolutely loved the Shy’s Hill area. Appreciate the feedback.

[@bwhit1080]

Plan to join us on December 16 this year for the 160th! We have some good things planned; plus, you'll be able to see downtown and Green Hills much more clearly with the leaves gone...@@ProjectPast1565

[@itscomplicated5507]

Edmund Winchester Rucker is my great grand uncle.

[@carson1861]

GREAT VIDEO.... well explained and I loved your personal touches to it all like the witness tree and the Florida troops on Sly hill who walked the same home turf in Florida where you are from. Tell your precious wife that from my Canadian perspective I didn't know a lot about the Nashville campaign but by you starting with the Confederates view on sly hill it made it 100 percent easier to visualize the union charge and the confederate defences. I could really feel it. THANK YOU... I'VE been to Franklin in 1999 and know that quite well as the prelude to Nashvile. AGAIN, THANK YOU

[@ProjectPast1565]

I really appreciate you watching and I appreciate the feedback. I try to simplify the battle and break it down with both perspectives. Makes it a little easier to understand. Thanks again 👍

[@carson1861]

@@ProjectPast1565 just keep em coming. Have a great and blessed day. Again, I thank you.

[@ProjectPast1565]

Thank you 🤙

[@michaelbirdsong196]

I lived just west of the city growing up I had trenches in my backyard . They were confirmed to be part of the southern line. Redoubt no 1 is pretty cool they almost tore it up . Great video love that you went to shys hill

[@ProjectPast1565]

I’m glad they saved some of that redoubt. Shy’s was by far my favorite spot there. Really enjoyed my visit to Nashville. Thanks for watching!

[@michaelbirdsong196]

@@ProjectPast1565 loved every minute of it !

[@ProjectPast1565]

@michaelbirdsong196 very happy to hear that!

[@2104dogface]

Great Job, glad to see you had the family with you , sad to see so little of the battlefield has been saved . but you managed to put out alot of great info on it . 25 days till G"burg lol i'am not counting the days

[@ProjectPast1565]

I’m glad the family got to tag along. It’ll be here before we know it!

[@SteveAubrey1762]

Wait a minute. Did you say SHYS hill? If im not mistaken that is the hill Col. William Shy of the 20th Tennessee infintry regiment, died on. In 1977 some creep dug up his corpse.

[@ProjectPast1565]

Yes, that’s the Hill he was killed on. I had no idea someone dug him up though.

[@SteveAubrey1762]

@@ProjectPast1565 yes! It was in December1977, some creep broke into his iron coffin and decapitated the corpse. The police thought it was a recent homicide because the embalming had been done so well. The case led to the forming of that place where they allow corpses to decompose to aid in forensic science to solve murders.

[@derekhuscroft586]

Great video! Has anyone done any metal detecting on the battlefields?

[@ProjectPast1565]

Thanks! I’m sure at one time but now it’s illegal unless on private land with permission.

[@MurderDungeonSlotCars]

IMO Hood definitely threw a lot of his men's lives away being over aggressive (on multiple occasions). One would think losing a leg and the use of one of your arms would make one a little more cautious. I find myself constantly becoming annoyed throughout my research on the ACW of how willing Officers (on both sides) were just fine to spend the volunteers (did we say 90 days, oh sorry, no... we own you for 3 years, we changed our minds) lives in wholesale, just look at how many times the Iron Brigade got put right in the worst or some of the worst fighting on a regular basis, yet the Federal Union Regulars - the ones that are supposed to be the "professional soldiers" were kind of coddled in comparison to the volunteers. I'm pretty sure if i was in a line formation taking heavy volleys, just standing there, exchanging shots, I would rout. Absolutely brutal warfare.

[@ProjectPast1565]

The level of carnage that took place during this war was just awful. I don’t know if i could have stood in formation while waves of lean ripped through the ranks.

[@jamiemorgan2178]

Thank you for this video it is so exciting. I live in the middle of all this area and have seen ghosts.

[@ProjectPast1565]

Thanks for watching!

[@Revolver1701]

My multi-great grandfather was in Tarrant’s Battery Alabama Light Artillery. His unit was overrun in the Union attack and lost its guns and horses. The remnants were sent to Fort Blakeley in Mobile where it surrendered. Is there a book with good maps of the battle of Nashville that you could recommend?

[@ProjectPast1565]

The American Battlefield Trust has a fantastic map book of the eastern and western theaters. I highly recommend it.

[@Revolver1701]

@@ProjectPast1565 thanks

[@kenneth-pc7mf]

Hood and his army got their asses kicked at Nashville No disrespect to great Southern troops,and my fellow Americans But Pap Thomas kicked butt.

[@ednakelley814]

You should have visited Mt. Olivet cemetery which was very close to where you were. Many of these men and famous soliders from the war rest there today.

[@ProjectPast1565]

I’ll have to get that next time. Thanks for the info!

[@Odin029]

As a Nashville native I've talked to quite a few people who've come to Tennessee to view the many battlefields in the state including the Battle of Nashville. Many are disappointed by how little is left of the battlefield here in Nashville. I always point out that one of the main things that is preserved is the topography of the city. It's one thing to look at lines on a map, but another to realize just how hilly and rugged the land would have been to fight on, especially after an ice storm.

[@ProjectPast1565]

Absolutely! I’m from Florida so it’s really easy to notice anything that’s not flat. I’m happy that some sites are preserved, despite losing so much. It still keeps the story alive.

[@ralphgeigner5497]

Battlefield preservation should have started years ago, terrible that the states allowed them to not be saved sooner !!!! Like in some areas on this KZbin, you see homes.

[@ProjectPast1565]

Lots of this battlefield are gone unfortunately. Although in some places they have done a great job preserving land. Thanks for watching.

[@DustinWiseM1]

Excellent video. Like others have stated I really liked the human interest piece around the St Augustine boys. Glad you were able to walk that same ground…. If only you had a 1824 .69 caliber musket to march up Shy’s Hill with. Reagan stole the show ❤

[@ProjectPast1565]

It’s definitely a cool and unexpected connection. Haha if only! I wonder where I could get one? And yes she always steals the show!

[@liberalman8319]

Wish more was preserved

[@ProjectPast1565]

Absolutely

[@TheArmchairEmperor]

I went to Fort Negley but missed this site

[@ProjectPast1565]

Aww dang! Shy’s Hill and Redoubt 1 were really cool sites.

[@TheArmchairEmperor]

@@ProjectPast1565 I went to Shy's hill and did some posts about it

[@ProjectPast1565]

@TheArmchairEmperor awesome! I enjoyed that area

[@soxbigdog]

It honestly looked like you were in somebody's backyard. I've seen other locations where the historic sites are hidden around modern structures, but never in an actual neighborhood like that.

[@ProjectPast1565]

Yeah, the redoubt was surrounded by houses. It did feel like I was on someone’s property lol. I’m glad that little piece still exists though.

[@kurtwillig4230]

I am mystified by lost causes like this. What was Confederate "victory" plan? The Confederacy was cut in two, no foreign help possible, Lincoln had just been reelected, Atlanta lost, no new recruits, no new supplies, veterans deserting - what could possibly have "won the war"?

[@manilajohn0182]

The Native American leader Chief Joseph once said that "It is easy to pick up the rifle. It is almost impossible to lay it down again". This meshes well with Sun Tzu's statement that "A victorious army conquers an enemy previously defeated; a defeated army fights in the hope of winning".

[@jimmyraythomason1]

Were there no monuments to the Confederate soldiers who fought there?

[@ProjectPast1565]

None that I saw.

[@michaelhoffman5348]

Nice job - always good to have the family along. Make history lovers out of them all. I always did. Your wife is a saint like mine is when I drag her around a field :).

[@ProjectPast1565]

Yes she’s a saint for putting up with me 😂 It’s always great to experience new things together. This was my daughters first battlefield visit. Appreciate you watching!

[@andretucker3810]

People probably been obsessed with looks civil war was first time image made a real life and death difference if you looked the part you could lead and bring confidence to the men? What a Weird world we live in. I'm not sure if they were more insane than today this obsession with appearance being the end all of importance to predict some future and I don't get it. I don't want the pilot flying my plane r because he's cuter than the next guy the same goes for military

[@jaywinters2483]

I see you were on the beaten path to take a natural path but,....how do you know it wasn't a psychopath? (Pray for my sense of humor.)

[@ProjectPast1565]

😂😂