The Battle of Nashville (December 15-16, 1864) was a decisive Union victory during the American Civil War. Union forces under Major General George H. Thomas defeated Confederate forces led by General John Bell Hood, effectively destroying the Confederate Army of Tennessee.

The Battle of Nashville stands as one of the most decisive engagements of the American Civil War. This crucial confrontation took place on December 15-16, 1864, marking a significant turning point in the Western Theater of operations during the final months of the conflict.

Confederate General John Bell Hood led his Army of Tennessee north toward Nashville in a desperate attempt to disrupt Union supply lines and potentially change the war's momentum. Union forces under Major General George H. Thomas waited patiently in Nashville's fortifications, gathering strength before launching a crushing counteroffensive that would ultimately destroy Hood's army.

The Battle of Nashville emerged from a series of military maneuvers in late 1864 that shaped the final phase of the Civil War in the Western Theater. The conflict represented the culmination of Confederate General Hood's Tennessee Campaign aimed at disrupting Union control of the region.

Confederate forces launched an aggressive northward advance through Tennessee in November 1864 after the fall of Atlanta. General Hood's army of 23,000 men bypassed Union forces in Georgia to target the Union's supply infrastructure in Tennessee. The campaign included:

• Crossing the Tennessee River at Florence on November 21

• Engaging Union forces at Spring Hill on November 29

• Attacking Franklin on November 30, resulting in 6,200 Confederate casualties

• Advancing toward Nashville on December 2

• Two concentric defensive rings fortified with artillery

• Railroad connections securing supply lines from Louisville

• Fort Negley serving as the primary defensive anchor

• Strategic placement of units along the Cumberland River

Force Distribution	Union Army	Confederate Army
Infantry	49,000	19,000
Cavalry	6,000	4,000
Artillery pieces	80	40

The Battle of Nashville unfolded across two intense days of combat in December 1864. Union forces executed a calculated offensive against Confederate positions through precise military maneuvers.

The Union Army initiated its attack at 6:00 AM on December 15, launching a diversionary assault on the Confederate right. Major General James Steedman's division struck Hood's right flank while the main Union force concentrated on the Confederate left. By noon, Union cavalry under Major General James Wilson turned the Confederate left flank, capturing several artillery pieces. The Confederate forces retreated to a new defensive line two miles south of their original position.

First Day Statistics	Union Forces	Confederate Forces
Troops Engaged	49,000	23,000
Artillery Pieces	80	48
Ground Gained	5 miles	N/A

On December 16, the Union Army renewed its offensive at 9:00 AM, focusing on Hood's new defensive line along Shy's Hill. Union forces breached Confederate defenses at 4:00 PM, creating a fatal gap in Hood's line. The Confederate army disintegrated into a retreat, abandoning equipment along the Franklin Pike. Union cavalry pursued the retreating forces, capturing 4,500 prisoners before darkness ended the chase.

Second Day Results	Numbers
Confederate Prisoners	4,500
Captured Artillery	53 pieces
Union Casualties	3,061
Confederate Casualties	6,202

The Battle of Nashville featured contrasting leadership styles that shaped the outcome of this decisive engagement. The commanding generals implemented distinct strategic approaches based on their forces' strengths and positions.

Major General George Thomas demonstrated methodical planning in his command of the Union forces at Nashville. His strategy focused on three key elements:

• Established fortified defensive positions with multiple artillery rings
• Coordinated combined arms operations using infantry, cavalry and artillery
• Executed a deliberate two-pronged assault targeting Confederate flanks

Thomas positioned his 55,000 troops strategically around Nashville's high ground. His tactical deployment included:

Unit Type	Number of Troops	Primary Role
Infantry	49,000	Main assault force
Cavalry	6,000	Flanking operations
Artillery	80 guns	Defense and support

General Hood employed an aggressive offensive strategy that proved costly for Confederate forces. His tactical approach included:

• Positioned troops in a thin defensive line south of Nashville
• Attempted to draw Union forces into attacking fortified positions
• Maintained offensive pressure despite mounting casualties

Hood's army deployment consisted of:

Unit Type	Number of Troops	Primary Role
Infantry	23,000	Defense and assault
Cavalry	3,000	Reconnaissance
Artillery	53 pieces	Support operations

His forces occupied elevated positions at Peach Orchard Hill and Shy's Hill, creating a semicircular defensive line spanning 4 miles. Hood's decision to maintain static defensive positions contributed to the Confederate defeat when Thomas launched his coordinated assault.

The Battle of Nashville reached critical turning points that transformed the strategic situation of both armies during December 15-16, 1864. These pivotal moments altered the course of the battle and led to a decisive Union victory.

The Union Army executed a decisive flanking maneuver at dawn on December 15, 1864. General Thomas's forces launched a feint attack against the Confederate right while concentrating the main assault on Hood's left flank. Union cavalry under James Wilson struck the Confederate left at 6:00 AM, while the XVI Corps under A.J. Smith advanced at 8:00 AM, successfully turning Hood's flank. This maneuver forced Confederate troops to abandon their original positions, capturing 8 artillery pieces and pushing the Confederate line back 2 miles.

• Initial withdrawal from Shy's Hill, leaving behind 1,500 men captured
• Disorganized retreat through the Granny White Pike, abandoning 37 artillery pieces
• Final evacuation across the Tennessee River on December 25, with only 15,000 of the original 23,000 troops remaining

Phase of Retreat	Confederate Losses
Shy's Hill	1,500 captured
Main Retreat	37 artillery pieces
Final Count	8,000 troops lost

The Battle of Nashville marked a decisive turning point in the American Civil War's Western Theater. This engagement effectively eliminated the Confederate Army of Tennessee as a fighting force, transforming the military landscape of the region.

The Confederate defeat at Nashville permanently ended organized Confederate military operations in Tennessee. The destruction of Hood's army resulted in:

• Loss of 8,000 Confederate troops through casualties

• Capture of 53 artillery pieces by Union forces

• Abandonment of key defensive positions across Middle Tennessee

• Disruption of Confederate supply lines through Tennessee

• Displacement of remaining Confederate forces into Alabama

• Union control of Nashville's vital railroad infrastructure

• Protection of Union supply lines from Kentucky to Georgia

• Release of Union forces for Sherman's March to the Sea

• Reduction of Confederate forces from 23,000 to 15,000 combat-ready troops

• Capture of strategic river crossings along the Tennessee River

Battle Statistics	Confederate Forces	Union Forces
Initial Strength	23,000	55,000
Casualties	6,202	3,061
Artillery Lost	53 pieces	0
Prisoners Lost	4,500	0

• The Battle of Nashville occurred on December 15-16, 1864, marking a decisive Union victory in the American Civil War's Western Theater.
• Union Major General George H. Thomas led 55,000 troops against Confederate General John Bell Hood's Army of Tennessee, which numbered about 23,000 soldiers.
• The battle resulted in devastating Confederate losses, including 6,202 casualties, 4,500 prisoners, and 53 artillery pieces, effectively destroying Hood's army as a fighting force.
• Union forces executed a successful two-day offensive strategy, using cavalry and infantry to outflank Confederate positions and force a retreat.
• This engagement permanently ended organized Confederate military operations in Tennessee and secured Union control of vital railroad infrastructure and supply lines.

The Battle of Nashville stands as one of the most decisive engagements of the American Civil War. The two-day battle on December 15-16 1864 showcased the strategic brilliance of Union General George H. Thomas and marked the end of Confederate military presence in Tennessee.

The battle's outcome dramatically shifted the balance of power in the Western Theater. With Hood's army effectively destroyed and Union control firmly established over Nashville's crucial infrastructure it paved the way for Sherman's March to the Sea. The loss of 8000 Confederate troops and vital artillery pieces served as a devastating blow to the Confederate cause in the final months of the Civil War.