The Battle of Nashville was a two-day battle in the Franklin-Nashville Campaign that represented the end of large-scale fighting in the Western Theatre of the American Civil War. It was fought at Nashville, Tennessee, on December 15-16, 1864, between the Confederate Army of Tennessee under Lt. Gen. John Bell Hood and Federal forces under Maj. Gen. George H. Thomas. In one of the largest victories achieved by the Union Army during the war, Thomas attacked and routed Hood's army, largely destroying it as an effective fighting force. Casualties from the two-day battle were 3,061 Union and approximately 6,000 Confederate; the Battle of Nashville was one of the most stunning tactical victories achieved by either side in a major engagement in the war. The formidable Army of Tennessee, the second largest Confederate force, was effectively destroyed as a fighting force. Hood's army entered Tennessee with over 30,000 men but left with 15-20,000. The Confederates'12-day, 100-mile retreat after their defeat at the Battle of Nashville with Union forces in hot pursuit took place in December 1864, during one of the worst winters on record.About the Author Derek Smith, journalist and author of The Gallant Dead, features notable commanders such as Nathan Bedford Forrest and John Bell Hood in this volume. Colourfully written, with a focus on the human element in this military catastrophe, this is a fascinating read for anyone interested in the American Civil War, American history, or military history in general.
