Battlefields Preserved List
Preserved List: Tennessee Wars Commission Success Stories
Since the Wars Commission’s establishment in 1994, more than 8,000 acres of hallowed ground have been preserved. Between 1994 and the establishment of the Civil War Sites Preservation Grant Fund in 2013, $3.19 million was spent to preserve:
- 841 acres at the Davis Bridge Battlefield,
- 142 acres at the Franklin Battlefield, and
- 272 acres at the Shiloh Battlefield
Tennessee is one of only four states to have established a state-funded program to preserve its Civil War battlefields by partnering with private organizations to acquire land from willing sellers. Tennessee’s Civil War Sites Preservation Grant Fund (CWSPF), established by the legislature in 2013, has awarded more than $20 million in funds for the preservation of approximately 1100 acres of hallowed battlefield ground; including at the fields of conflict of the Battle of Nashville, Franklin, Spring Hill, and Stones River, at Parkers Crossroads, Jackson, Shiloh, Chattanooga, Missionary Ridge, and Wauhatchie, as well as Fort Donelson.
Funding total for the CWSPF for the 2024-2025 grant cycle: $1,935,250.00
Civil War Sites Preservation Grant Award: $469,250.00.
30.6-acres in Chattanooga associated with both the Civil War and the 1838 Cherokee removal, known as the Trail of Tears, will be preserved. This property features earthworks and a portion of the position that Union troops took upon the ridgeline north of the ferry landing after successfully seizing the area in an amphibious assault on October 27, 1863. This property is adjacent to previously preserved land, expanding the impact of these acquisitions.
The collaboration between the State, the American Battlefield Trust (ABT), the American Battlefield Protection Program (ABPP), and with a legacy donation by the landowner resulted in a project total of $1,886,110.00
Civil War Sites Preservation Grant Award $22,500.00.
After the Battle of Chickamauga in September 1863, Maj. Gen. William S. Rosecrans’ Army of the Cumberland withdrew to Chattanooga. Gen. Braxton Bragg’s Army of Tennessee followed and assumed positions outside the city. The Federals stormed Lookout Mountain on November 24, 1863, and its capture laid the groundwork for an assault on Bragg’s position on Missionary Ridge. On November 25th, Sherman launched his assault. A skirmish line, consisting of five companies advanced over the tract to engage Texans under Brig. Gen. James A. Smith from Maj. Gen. Patrick Cleburne’s division.
The 0.46-acre Essary Tract will be preserved utilizing a partnership between ABT, ABPP, and the State for a project total of $54,240.00.
Civil War Sites Preservation Grant Award: $1,000,000.00.
Roper’s Knob is located just fifteen miles south of Nashville in Franklin and served as a strategic location in the Union’s line of communications, supplies as well as defense. With visibility up to six miles in all directions, Ropers Knob relayed important communications to fortifications in Triune to the east and La Vergne to the northeast, and then to Nashville. Signal stations were vital to the Union military effort as they transmitted information regarding the movement of Confederate troops to Union officers. Communications proved especially important during the 1864 campaign of Confederate Lt. Gen. John Bell Hood through Middle Tennessee.
Teamwork between the State and Franklin’s Charge, Inc. will result in the preservation of 13.81-acres. This parcel is adjacent to previously preserved land, increasing the impact of this acquisition. The project will total is $2,013,206.70.
Civil War Sites Preservation Grant Award: $187,500.00
Located within the Shiloh National Military Park boundary, the 23.75-acre Johnson Tract is adjacent to previously preserved acreage. Through the corporation of the ABT and the State, we will preserve this keystone property for a project total of $409,245.50.
In February 1862, Brig. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant captured Forts Henry and Donelson, opening the Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers to Union movement. Grant’s next objective was the rail hub at Corinth, Mississippi. He advanced along the Tennessee River and established a base at Pittsburg Landing. Determined to defend the town, Confederate Gen. Albert S. Johnston attacked Grant’s camps on the morning of April 6th. The Battle of Shiloh was one of the bloodiest battles of the Civil War.
Civil War Sites Preservation Grant Award: $505,000.00.
After completing a flanking maneuver featuring cavalry units through present-day west Nashville on December 15, 1864, the Confederate line was pushed south and east, entrenching on a compact line. Union commander Gen. George Thomas attacked the Confederate right flank both in the morning and the afternoon of December 16th, utilizing the might of the United States Colored Troops (USCT) however, Federal regiments suffered staggering losses. After hours of precise Union artillery shelling of the earthworks on Shy’s Hill, Brig. Gen. John McArthur ordered an attack on the weak point of the Confederate line. This was the most concise and important moment of the battle as his troops climbed the steep slope of Shy’s Hill and over this tract.
The Battle of Nashville was arguably the most strategic battle in Tennessee, leading to the culmination of the Civil War in the Western Theater. Gen. Thomas’s Union victory at Nashville decimated Hood’s Army of Tennessee effectively ending the war in Tennessee.
This 1.03-acre parcel was preserved thanks to funding from the Battle of Nashville Trust and the State in the amount of $1,184,040.72.
Civil War Sites Preservation Grant Award: $95,000.00.
By November 21, 1864, Lt. Gen. John Bell Hood’s command was across the Tennessee River and eventually confronted Maj. Gen. John Schofield’s Union force at Columbia. Rather than attack Schofield head-on, Hood decided to turn the Federal left flank.
Throughout November 28th and into the following day, Hood’s troops advanced east and crossed the Duck River. The Confederates marched toward Spring Hill and hoped to secure Columbia Pike, Schofield’s main line of retreat. Meanwhile, Schofield deduced Hood’s intentions and began pulling his men back toward Spring Hill. The battle began late on the morning of November 29th as Brig. Gen. George Wagner’s division repulsed an attack by Maj. Gen. Nathan B. Forrest’s Confederate cavalry.
With a collaborative effort by the ABPP, the Battle of Franklin Trust, and the State, 11.57-acres just north of the adjacent 84.65-acre Rippa Villa Plantation will be preserved for project total of $215,731.00.
Funding total for the CWSPF for the 2023-2024 grant cycle: $7,319,500.00
Civil War Sites Preservation Grant Award: $957,500.00.
Located along Columbia Avenue, the 0.62-acre Danmark Tract is the final unpreserved parcel at the epicenter of the Carter Hill battlefield. Franklin’s Charge, Inc. partnered with the American Battlefield Protection Program (ABPP), and the State to acquire the property for $5,036,000.00.
Positioned just south of the Carter House, this parcel was originally part of F.B. Carter’s farmstead, whose house became the headquarters of the Union 23rd Corps during the November 30, 1864 battle. Together with several contiguous preserved parcels, the Danmark Tract was the scene of heavy casualties as Confederate Gen. John Brown’s Division, chiefly elements of Generals George W. Gordon and Otho F. Strahl’s brigades swept north toward the Federal earthworks that were defended by elements of Gen. Thomas Ruger’s men. The Danmark Tract was swept by artillery fire from two directions, killing and wounding scores of Confederate soldiers.
Civil War Sites Preservation Grant Award: $3,930,000.00.
Fought from December 31, 1862, to January 2, 1863, the Battle of Stones River was one of the most important battles of the Civil War and the Ganesh Tract witnessed some of the engagement’s most critical opening moments. At daybreak, Confederate Gen. John McCown struck the right flank of the Union Army of the Cumberland just south of the Ganesh Tract. McCown’s troops pursued the broken remains of Union forces; however, his movements threatened to collapse the Confederate line forcing Gen. Patrick Cleburne to unleash his reservists too soon in the fighting. At 7:00 am, the brigades of Confederate Generals Lucius E. Polk and Bushrod Johnson faced Col. Sidney Post’s brigade on the Ganesh Tract, and fierce fighting ensued. Ultimately, the bloody Union victory at Stones River was a morale boost for Union forces and provided further validation for the Emancipation Proclamation.
The American Battlefield Trust (ABT), ABPP, and the State are teaming up to preserve this 31.60-acre parcel for a project total of $7,943,574.40.
Civil War Sites Preservation Grant Award: $2,315,000.00.
Adjacent to Fort Negley, the largest inland stone fortification built by Union forces, the approximately 1.90-acre Green Tract contains a historic 1890s warehouse that will be adaptively reused in a way that aligns with the 2022 Fort Negley Master Plan. This acquisition totaled $9,543,392.50 and was completed by ABT with support from the Friends of Fort Negley, ABPP, Metro Nashville, and with a legacy landowner donation.
Fort Negley was constructed over five months by more than 2,700 free and formerly enslaved men, women, and children who were conscripted into service by Union forces. Contraband camps were located at the base of St. Cloud Hill which developed into one of the first African American communities in Nashville and are thought to have extended into the Green Tract.
Civil War Sites Preservation Grant Award: $250,000.00.
On the morning of April 6, 1862, following two hours of bitter fighting, Confederate forces successfully overran Brig. Gen. Benjamin M. Prentiss’ division camps. Confederate Gen. Albert Sidney Johnston, alerted to the presence of additional Union forces lying in wait to flank his right, deployed two brigades to outflank Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant’s Army of the Tennessee. Confederate forces deployed, forming battle lines along the Hardiman Tract, approximately 800 yards south of Union camps, and unleashed a long-range bombardment on Union troops leading to a full-on firefight. Defeated Confederate troops retreated across the Hardiman Tract on April 7, 1862.
The Hardiman Tract consists of approximately 152 acres within the 1894 legislated boundary of Shiloh National Military Park and is adjacent to previously preserved acreage, expanding the impact of this acquisition. ABT and the State collaborated to fund this project in the amount of $525,040.50.
Funding total for the CWSPF for the 2022-2023 grant cycle: $5,055,000.00
Civil War Sites Preservation Grant Award: $1,725,000.00.
Positioned south of the Carter House, this parcel was originally part of F.B. Carter’s farmstead, whose house became the headquarters of the Union 23rd Corps during the November 30, 1864 battle. Together with several contiguous preserved parcels, the Williams Tract was the scene of heavy casualties as Confederate Gen. John Brown’s Division, chiefly elements of Generals George W. Gordon and Otho F. Strahl’s brigades swept north toward the Federal earthworks that were defended by elements of Gen. Thomas Ruger’s men. The Williams Tract was swept by artillery fire from two directions, killing and wounding scores of Confederate soldiers. Dozens were buried after the battle before being exhumed and moved to Carnton.
Franklin’s Charge, Inc. led the 0.85-acre acquisition with funding from both American Battlefield Protection Program (ABPP) and the State totaling $4,028,000.00.
Civil War Sites Preservation Grant Award: $3,330,000.00.
The Wright Tract consists of 37-acres and although this parcel is not adjacent to other protected lands it is situated approximately three-quarters of a mile west of the legislated boundary of the Stones River Battlefield. American Battlefield Trust (ABT), ABPP, and the State all contributed funding towards this acquisition totaling $6,724,464.00.
On December 26, 1862, Maj. Gen. William S. Rosecrans initiated a winter campaign, and his Army of the Cumberland departed Nashville to engage Gen. Braxton Bragg’s Army of Tennessee. After several days of maneuvering, the armies faced one another near Murfreesboro. Both commanders planned to attack on New Year’s Eve, each deciding to assault the other’s right flank.
At dawn on December 31st, the Confederates struck the Union line, driving it all the way back to Rosecrans’ supply line. Later that day, Confederate Brig. Gen. St. John Liddell’s brigade advanced over the Wright Tract. Following a relatively quiet New Year’s Day, Gen. Bragg launched another assault against the Union left on January 2, 1863, but Rosecrans’ troops held fast. Faced with Union reinforcements, Bragg decided to abandon the field on the night of January 3rd. Ultimately, Rosecrans’ victory at Stones River was an important boost for Union morale and added military weight to the recently issued Emancipation Proclamation.
Funding total for the CWSPF for the 2021-2022 grant cycle: $641,372.19
Civil War Sites Preservation Grant Award: $292,500.00.
When Hooker ordered John Geary's division to cross Lookout Creek, the point selected was at Light's Mill which was located on the western bank of the creek. There, Geary's men constructed a footbridge on the remains of the mill dam, and Geary's brigade, supported by Walter Whitaker's troops, crossed the creek and climbed the western slope of the mountain until the right of Geary's division rested at the base of the sandstone bluffs of the mountain.
The 2.28-acre Braddock Tract will be acquired utilizing funding from American Battlefield Trust (ABT), American Battlefield Protection Program (ABPP), and the State for a project total of $608,788.00. This property is adjacent to the 300-acre Reflection Riding Tract at the base of the mountain; THC holds this conservation easement and across the street from the Burns Tract.
Civil War Sites Preservation Grant Award: $348,872.19.
Confederates were entrenched on the steep-sloped 1,400-foot-tall Lookout Mountain, a seemingly impregnable position. But Hooker, having studied carefully where Confederate forces were and, more importantly, were not on the western and northwestern slopes of the mountain, planned to apply feint deception, and maneuver, to if possible, take the northern tip of the mountain. The Burns Tract is part of the ground over which Hooker's successful flanking maneuver unfolded.
A collaboration between ABT, ABPP, and the State preserved the 7.6-acre Burns Tract in the amount of $707,044.38. This parcel is adjacent to previously preserved acreage increasing the impact of this acquisition.
Funding total for the CWSPF for the 2020-2021 grant cycle: $564,750.00
Civil War Sites Preservation Grant Award: $87,500.00.
The 0.38-acre T. Olive Tract is adjacent to land previously preserved at the state-owned battlefield and contains the namesake crossroads. The American Battlefield Trust (ABT), American Battlefield Protection Program (ABPP), and the State partnered to acquire this tract in the amount of $238,975.00.
Hoping to disrupt Ulysses Grant’s logistics supporting the Vicksburg Campaign, Gen. Braxton Bragg deployed Gen. Nathan Bedford Forest’s cavalry division into West Tennessee. On the morning of December 31, 1862, Col. Cyrus Dunham’s forces advanced over the T. Olive Tract to engage with Confederate skirmishers. Forest deployed artillery, forcing Dunham to take a new position south of the crossroads. Federal reinforcements led by Col. John Fuller arrived, surprising Confederate troops and allowing a Union attack on two fronts. Forest and his troops attacked both Dunham and Fuller then withdrew across the Tennessee River.
The Charton Tract at the Wauhatchie Battlefield received $344,250.00 in grant funding from this cycle.
The Hardiman Tract at the Shiloh Battlefield received $133,000.00 in grant funding from this grant cycle.
Funding total for the CWSPF for the 2019-2020 grant cycle: $902,239.00
Civil War Sites Preservation Grant Award: $247,446.00.
The approximately 9-acre tract contains the historic Brown’s Tavern, a 212-year-old log home. This structure would have likely been conscripted into service as a shelter and meeting point during Maj. Gen. Joseph Hooker’s winter encampment in 1863/1864. Additionally, this structure has significance for the Trail of Tears and the 1838 Cherokee removal from Chattanooga.
Utilizing funding from the American Battlefield Trust (ABT), American Battlefield Protection Program (ABPP), the State, and with a landowner donation, the Chapin Tract was preserved for a project total of $518,893.00.
Civil War Sites Preservation Grant Award: $51,000.00.
The 53.1-acre tract, partially within the 1894 legislative boundary of the Shiloh National Military Park, was preserved with the teamwork of the ABT, ABPP, and the State. The parcel is adjacent to previously preserved land, making this acquisition exponentially significant.
Shiloh was one of the decisive battles of the Civil War and the Cotner Tract was the location of significant troop movements and military actions that occurred on the morning of April 6, 1862. Forty Thousand Confederate soldiers under the command of Gen. Albert Sidney Johnston attacked the encamped Union divisions occupying ground near Pittsburg Landing on the Tennessee River. The overpowering Confederate attack threatened to overwhelm Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant’s entire Army of the Tennessee. During the first day’s fighting, Johnston was mortally wounded. Fighting continued until after dark, but the Union line held.
Civil War Sites Preservation Grant Award: $125,000.00.
The 0.55-acre Olive Tract was preserved utilizing funding from the ABT, ABPP, and the State for a project total of $300,550.00. This acquisition is adjacent to previously preserved acreage and has expanded the state-owned battlefield park.
The proposed acquisition is positioned adjacent to the namesake crossroads where on December 31, 1862, Union Brig. Gen. Jeremiah C. Sullivan, with the brigades of Col. Cyrus L. Dunham and Col. John W. Fuller, attempted to cut Forrest off from withdrawing across the Tennessee River. Skirmishing began, with Forrest taking an initial position along a wooded ridge northwest of Dunham at the Parkers Crossroads intersection. Confederate artillery gained an early advantage. Federals repelled frontal feints until attacked on both flanks and rear by Forrest’s mounted and dismounted troops.
Civil War Sites Preservation Grant Award: $1,998,033.01.
The 42-acre parcel lies adjacent to the Stone’s River National Battlefield, a National Park Service-owned site, and near previously preserved land, expanding the impact of this acquisition. The O’Reilly Tract encompasses the land where Maj. Gen. William Rosecrans and Gen. Braxton Bragg faced off. This tract is the location of George Wagner’s troop position during the Battle of Stone’s River, from December 31, 1862, to January 2, 1863.
Thanks to a partnership between ABT, ABPP, the State, and a legacy landowner donation, this property has been preserved for a project total of $4,773,033.01.
Civil War Sites Preservation Grant Award: $540,000.00.
The 6-acre parcel is adjacent to previously preserved land as well as the National Military Park’s boundaries. This parcel is located on the west side of Stones River where the final day of fighting occurred on January 2, 1863. After spending January 1st reorganizing and caring for the wounded, the two armies met on the afternoon of January 2, 1863. Gen. Bragg ordered an attack on Gen. Van Cleve’s Division occupying a hill overlooking McFadden’s Ford.
This property was preserved resulting from the collaborative effort between the ABT, ABPP, the State, and landowner donation for a project total of $1,108,630.00.
Funding total for the CWSPF for the 2018-2019 grant cycle: $3,097,836.96.
Civil War Sites Preservation Grant Award: $40,000.00.
The 1.5-acre Appalachian Tract lies on the extreme right of Lt. Gen. John Bell Hood's Confederate assault forces and about 200 yards from the Federal line. The Federals positioned 10 guns directly behind the east end of their trenches. Maj. Gen William Loring's Confederate Division attacked along the Harpeth River with three brigades facing overpowering cannon fire. Because of the convergence of the river and the railroad tracks, the three brigades jammed up to one behind the other – Brig. Gen. Winfield Scott Featherston's Brigade CSA, Brig. Gen. Thomas Scott's Brigade CSA, and Brig. Gen. John Adam's Brigade CSA.
Loring's Confederate Division was under the combined fire of the 14 Federal guns at times with the brigades entangled in the osage orange abitis and trapped in the railroad cut. Only a few Confederates made it to the Federal line.
The American Battlefield Trust (ABT), the Battle of Franklin Trust, and the State are collaborating on the acquisition of this parcel in the amount of $112,533.00.
Civil War Sites Preservation Grant Award: $630,000.00.
This tract is roughly 150 feet south of the main federal defensive line that was manned by Gen. Thomas Ruger’s Division which faced off with confederate troops led by Gen. States Rights Gist and Gen. George Gordon. Union lines were breached twice but were ultimately successful in holding confederate troops back, owing their success to Col. Emerson Opdycke’s reinforcements. This was a particularly bloody battle, taking the lives of six confederate generals.
The 0.72-acre Tract has been preserved by Franklin’s Charge Inc., the ABT, the American Battlefield Protection Program (ABPP), and the State for a project total of $1,380,000.00.
Civil War Sites Preservation Grant Award: $23,260.00.
A portion of Confederate Brig. Gen. Adley H. Gladden assembled in a line of battle on the Brown Tract during the initial phase of the first day of the Battle of Shiloh on April 8, 1862. The men would file north and attack the left flank of Union Gen. Benjamin M. Prentiss’ 5,400-man division on Sunday morning. As Gladden’s advancing line, comprised of five regiments and one gun battery crossed the Brown Tract they were under heavy long-range fire from two Union batteries deployed at the front center of Prentiss’ encampment. Three of Gladden’s five regiments came under fire on the approximately 8-acre Brown Tract, suffering heavy casualties – including Gladden himself, who was mortally wounded when a piece of shrapnel nearly removed his left arm from his body. Shiloh was one of the decisive battles of the Civil War.
The ABT and the State partnered in this acquisition for a project total of $46,520.00.
Civil War Sites Preservation Grant Award: $345,336.95.
The ABT, ABPP, and the State teamed up to preserve this 120-acre property for a project total of $690,673.90. Today, the state owns the property which is managed by Madison County. Efforts are being made to develop this site into a battlefield park.
Without any hope of retaking Corinth, Confederate cavalry Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest organized a daring raid into Western Tennessee in December to sabotage the rail tracks into Corinth, disrupting Grant’s supply lines and giving Vicksburg time to prepare for the coming offensive. Forrest proceeded to the town of Jackson, where his men encountered the Union garrison under the command of Bavarian-born Col. Adolph Engelmann.
Under orders from his superiors to merely check Forrest’s advance, Engelmann ordered his two regiments to take a defensive position at the Old Salem Cemetery. The four hundred Confederates advanced in column formation and charged, but due to their training and discipline, the Union infantry held its ground and repulsed the attack, suffering six casualties and inflicting an unknown number on the Confederates. Forrest, however, was nowhere near the battle, and had instead used the engagement as a feint while he and the rest of his men destroyed a section of railroad to the north. Having accomplished his strategic aims, Forrest and his men withdrew and continued to raid other towns in Tennessee.
The Chapin Tract at the Wauhatchie Battlefield received $231,737.63 in grant funding from this cycle.
The O’Reilly Tract at the Stones River Battlefield received $1,827,502.38 in grant funding from this cycle.