Granbury's Lunette

We are now at the site known as Granbury’s Lunette. What is a lunette you ask? It’s a military fortification with two faces forming a crescent-like shape with two flanks.

In the days leading up to the Battle of Nashville, Confederate forces constructed this earthen fortification which represented the extreme right flank of the Confederate siege lines. The lunette was named for General Hiram B. Granbury, who had been killed during the Battle of Franklin. On December 15, 1864, approximately 344 Confederate troops from Texas occupied the lunette along with 4 pieces of artillery.

Once the Battle of Nashville began, Union Major General James Steedman’s troops were to create a diversion opposite the Confederate right to draw attention away from the main Federal assault on the Confederate left. The diversionary attack included two brigades of United States Colored Troops, one commanded by Colonel Thomas Jefferson Morgan and the other commanded by Colonel Charles Thompson. The three other brigades were ad hoc units of white troops, one of which was commanded by future president, Colonel Benjamin Harrison, Colonel John C. Mitchell, and Lieutenant-Colonel Charles Grosvenor.

The Confederate forces were not deceived, and heavy artillery fire repelled the Federal attack. Dozens of Federal troops perished, including many USCT soldiers. While the Confederates at Granbury’s Lunette secured a local victory, the other end of the Confederate line was crushed. This necessitated the abandonment of the lunette as the Confederates fell back. The ultimate Federal victory in Nashville on December 15-16, 1864 essentially ended the Civil War in Tennessee. The Battle of Nashville also accelerated the Union’s path to victory in 1865.

Follow Polk Avenue back to Nolensville Pike, this time turn LEFT to continue south of the city. In about 1.5 miles, turn RIGHT onto Thompson Lane. Follow Thompson Lane, which becomes Woodmont Boulevard, for 3.5 miles then turn RIGHT onto Benham Ave. Your next stop is just ahead on your left. This is a narrow residential street, so park with caution.