Battle of Nashville
The Battle of Nashville was a significant engagement during the American Civil War that occurred in December 1864. Confederate General John Bell Hood attempted to disrupt Union General William T. Sherman's advance by launching an offensive into middle Tennessee. However, Hood's campaign was hampered by poor timing and insufficient troop strength, leading to a failed assault against Union forces commanded by General John Schofield outside of Franklin. After suffering heavy casualties, including among his generals, Hood's army was unable to mount a successful challenge. On December 15, Union General George H. Thomas finally launched a decisive counterattack, which culminated in a major Union victory the following day. This defeat effectively dismantled Hood's army and marked a turning point in the war, allowing Union forces to continue their campaign, including Sherman's March to the Sea. Hood's resignation followed the battle, eliminating him as a threat to Union operations in the region. The battle's outcome played a crucial role in the Union's overall strategy and success in the final stages of the Civil War.
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Battle of Nashville
Type of action: Ground battle in the American Civil War
Date: December 15-16, 1864
Location: Nashville and Franklin, Tennessee
Combatants: 65,000 Union vs. 40,000 Confederate forces
Principal commanders:Union, General George H. Thomas (1816–1870), Major General John Schofield (1831–1906); Confederate, General John Bell Hood (1831–1879)
Result: Hood’s Army of Tennessee was left in shambles
Confederate general John Bell Hood planned to move into middle Tennessee to cut off Union general William T. Sherman’s advance into the lower south. However, Hood’s operation was doomed from the start because he did not begin until mid-November and lacked troops to execute such a campaign. He failed to strike a serious blow to retreating Union forces commanded by General John Schofield. This allowed Schofield time to set up a defensive perimeter outside of Franklin, twenty-five miles south of Nashville. Unfortunately, Hood ordered a frontal assault against Union positions and suffered huge casualties including a number of generals. Hood’s offensive was shattered, but Union general George H. Thomas delayed in delivering a counterstrike because of bad weather. On December 15, Thomas finally attacked Hood’s flank. The next day, Union troops launched an all-out offensive and soundly defeated the rebel forces.
Significance
Hood’s army was in complete ruins, and he resigned from command. With Hood no longer a threat, Sherman completed his March to the Sea Campaign, and Union troops captured Savannah, Georgia, later that month.
Bibliography
The Civil War: 1864—War Is All Hell. Documentary. PBS Video, 1989.
Cox, Jacob D. The March to the Sea: Franklin and Nashville. New York: J. Brussel, 1959.
Huddleston, Edwin. The Civil War in Middle Tennessee. Nashville, Tenn.: Nashville Banner, 1965.
Maslowski, Peter. Treason Must Be Odious: Military Occupation and Wartime Reconstruction in Nashville, Tennessee, 1862–1865. New York: KTO Press, 1978.
Sword, Wiley. Embrace an Angry Wind: The Confederacy’s Last Hurrah: Spring Hill, Franklin, and Nashville. New York: HarperCollins, 1992.