Downtown Presbyterian Church in Nashville

Battle of New Orleans Commemoration at The Hermitage- Free Admission

Thursday, January 8, 2009 at 10:00am

FREE Admission all day!

Visit The Hermitage and celebrate the 194th anniversary of the American victory at the Battle of New Orleans, which ended the War of 1812, sometimes referred to as the "Second War of Independence." This victory, led by General Andrew Jackson, left no doubt of America's independence and propelled Jackson on to an incredible journey in American politics. Join us for this patriotic celebration that was once rivaled in national importance only by the Fourth of July. Our special "Eighth of January" event includes a traditional ceremony at Jackson's tomb, walking tours, tour of the Hermitage mansion and more!

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Some of the things you missed...

HAVE YOU SEEN THE BILLY GRAHAM STATUE IN DOWNTOWN NASHVILLE?

DOWNTOWN CHURCH ARCHITECTURE

TENNESSEE WINES

TRAVEL TIP

CIVIL WAR HISTORY IN NASHVILLE
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Carnton Plantation (Civil War)- Nashville History

~Built by Randal McGavock, Nashville's first mayor (1824-1825).

~The plantation house, which is late-neoclassical, is considered architecturally and historically one of the most important buildings in the area.

~In its early years the mansion was a social and political center. Among the prominent visitors attending the many social events were Andrew Jackson, James K. Polk and Sam Houston.

~The plantation was used as a Confederate hospital after the bloody Battle of Franklin on November 30, 1864. 12 confederate soldiers were killed.

~ In 1866 the McGavock family donated two acres adjacent to their family cemetary for the burial of some 1,500 Confederate soldiers.

~The McGavock Confederate Cemetary is the country's largest private Confederate cemetary.

~The book "Widow of the South" was written about it. It is a fictional book though.

Stones River (Civil War)

~It is near Murfreesboro, Tennessee

~A fierce battle was fought here between December 31, 1862 and January 2, 1863.

~General Bragg's Confederates withdrew after the battle, allowing General Rosecrans and the Union army to control Middle Tennessee.

~600 acres that is a National Battlefield~Stones River National Cemetary, established in 1865 with more than 6,000 Union graves.

~Hazen Brigade Monument, believed to be the oldest, intact Civil War monument still standing in its original location.

~Portions of Fortress Rosecrans, a large earthen fort constructed after the battle, still stand and are preserved and interpreted by the National Park Service.

~Much of the nearly 4,000 acre battlefield is in private hands.

~Abraham Lincoln told Major General William S. Rosecrans, "You gave us a hard-earned victory which, had there been defeat instead, the nation could hardly have lived over."

Fort Negley (Civil War)

~Reopened to the public on December 12, 2004

~Named for General James Negley, the commander of Union forces in Nashville.

~Fort Negley was the largest and most important fortification built by Union troops after the occupation of Nashville in 1862.

~The Union army was determined to hold onto Nashville at all costs because of its importance in the distribution of supplies by river and rail and so transformed it into one of the most heavily fortified cities in America.

~Built primarily by slaves and free blacks using stone, logs, earth and railway iron.

~Engineer James St. Clair Morton designed the polygonal shape and supervised its construction.

~It was the largest inland masonry fortification of the war. It was 4 acres and considered impregnable.

~The stone fort itself was 600 feet long and 300 feet wide; including outer fortification and earthworks over the brow of the hill.

Carter House (Civil War)- Nashville

~This 1830 brick house was used as a federal command post while at the center of fighting in the Battle of Franklin, known as the "bloodiest hours of the war."

~The Carter family, their friends & neighbors hid in the cellar during the battle.

~Built by Fountain Branch Carter and is a registered National Historic Landmark.

~In less than six hours, according to some official records, there were about 6,200 Confederate casualties(killed, wounded or captured), including 1,750 killed.

~The official Union count was about 2,579, which included 179 killed.

~Some historians, including Carter House officials, have documented at least 7,300 Confederate casualties, including more than 2,000 killed or mortally wounded. There were approx. 2,850 Union casualties, including about 450 killed.

~Capt. Tod Carter, the youngest son of the Carter family, died at the home 48 hours after being wounded in the battle.