West-Facing Lookout

Using the placard in front of you, this lookout shows the location of the Casino Blockhouse, the present-day reservoir, and Peach Orchard Hill. The Casino Blockhouse was another Union installation that African Americans built to protect Nashville from the Confederates. 

As mentioned earlier, Civil War fighting in the area culminated in Battle of Nashville, which lasted from December 15th to 16th, 1864. Despite a series of defeats in November 1864, Confederate Lieut. Gen. John Bell Hood marched north toward Nashville with approximately 30,000 soldiers. The city was protected by 55,000 Union soldiers, but Hood’s army reached Nashville on December 2nd and staked out a position south of the city. Ulysses S. Grant and Abraham Lincoln urged Maj. Gen. George H. Thomas to attack, but Thomas delayed for two weeks because of bad weather and limited cavalry support. 

On December 15, Thomas initiated a diversionary attack with the U.S. Colored Troops 17^th Regiment attacking the Confederate’s Eastern line on Murfreesboro Pike. They suffered heavy casualties at Granbury’s Lunette but along with the Union attacks on the Western line [they] forced Confederate troops two miles south. On December 16, 1864 fighting resumed along present-day Battery Lane, between Peach Orchard Hill and Shy’s Hill. Union Gen. John McArthur’s regiment broke through Confederate lines and forced Hood’s retreat. The Union victory at Nashville effectively ended the war in Tennessee. Although Fort Negley maintained a strategic presence in Nashville, much of the fighting took place south of town. The presence of Fort Negley, in addition to the other five Union fortifications, likely dissuaded the Confederates from setting up their positions further north.

My great-great grandfather private Peter Bailey fought on both days of the Battle of Nashville with Company K of the USCT 17th Regiment. On the first day of battle, he fought at what is called Granbury’s Lunette, to the north of the city. On that day, Union soldiers sustained heavy losses. On December 16th, Peter Bailey fought at Peach Orchard Hill, which is just north of the Travelers Rest plantation. If you turn to the left, you can see Peach Orchard Hill in the distance. The hill is located five miles to the south of Fort Negley. The USCT played a pivotal role in taking the hill along with Union troops. Nearly 13,000 Black soldiers fought in the Battle of Nashville. My great-great grandfather's DNA is on those battle sites. 

Enter the elevated wooden walkway on your right. Stop at the sign titled “Fort Design.” Enjoy a panoramic view of the area. Turn around and face the center of the fort before you begin the narrative.