Mortgage Is Paid Off On Shy's Hill, Nashville

By Gregory L. Wade

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The hill that anchored the Confederate left in the December 1864 Battle of Nashville has been officially preserved for all time by the Battle of Nashville Preservation Society (BONPS).

The acreage on top and some of the slopes, today known as Shy's Hill, was bought by society member and former president Wes Shofner about 14 years ago. It had long been the group’s intention to repay the $55,000 debt. Current President J.T. Thompson, in office since February 2005, made it a priority to get the debt paid when an anonymous donor committed to give a dollar for every dollar raised up to $50,000.

The stipulation was his money could only be used for survey and archaeological work. Through this challenge and the efforts of several society members, donations came in and the mortgage was burned on April 15.

Citing the grassroots effort, Thompson said, "I am most proud of the many people who made donations to pay off this debt. It came mostly in small checks and contributions. It was truly a lot of people who made this happen. And our anonymous donor has made our work at the site much more achievable."

Shy’s Hill is located in an upscale residential suburban area of Nashville. Thompson said, "We are very lucky there is not a million-dollar home on the hilltop now. Wes’ vision and generosity gave us time to save this important ground."

Steps lead up the steep incline to the crest of the heavily wooded hill. Much of top is owned by the Tennessee Historical Society with the BONPS holding about six additional acres. While there are houses around the hill’s base, from the crest one can see for miles, getting a good idea of the lay of the land during the battle.

According to Thompson the next efforts will be to restore the landscape to its battlefield appearance. There are traces of earthworks and "the trenches where some Florida units were positioned." The Confederate defensive fortifications were placed too far up the hill, allowing the Federals to climb the hill out of harm’s way.

The group plans to remove all vegetation not native to the area and remove a lot of tree debris and foliage that blocks the view. Thompson said with a laugh, "The soldiers 140 years ago could drag cannon up the hill but we can't figure a way to get a wood chipper up there."

On the second day of the battle, the hill, then known as Compton Hill, was the corner anchor of a Confederate line that ran east to west from the hill and south at a right angle. It was occupied by Gen. B.F. Cheatham's divisions.

The Union ranks were made up of mostly Midwesterners and, in this particular area, several Minnesota regiments. The society's Web page says that more Minnesotans lost their lives at the hill than in World Wars II and I combined.

On Dec. 16, 1864, Federal troops broke the Confederate line at the hill. Confederate Col. William Shy was one of the defenders who lost his life there, found after the fighting bayoneted to a tree. The hill has been known as Shy's Hill ever since.

The story of Colonel Shy didn't end then. In the mid-1970s a grave was opened in the Shy family cemetery near Franklin, Tenn., south of Nashville. The body of a Confederate soldier was half out of the iron casket and was in very good condition.

Initially local authorities thought they had a bizarre murder on their hands with someone in Civil War garb. It turned out to be the remarkably well-preserved Colonel Shy. The casket, with the hole in it, is on display at the Carter House Museum in Franklin.

For more information about the Battle of Nashville Preservation Society go to www.BONPS.org