To Nashville! (and beyond!)

Posted on by Amie Posted in Travels of the Crazy ATagged , , , , , ,

November 30, 1864.

Slowly, I pull my bare feet forward.  I hardly have the strength to go on.  We all know that — Hood is going to kill us yet.  I just pray to God that it isna here.  That it isna here.

March 7, 2018

I hug my coat closer and wish I had looked at the weather.  Who knew it would be snowing?  I stomp my feet and wish I hadn’t worn my cowgirl boots.  And yet, it was better than bare feet…and it was better than dying on this field.

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Where have I been all week?  In Franklin and Nashville, Tennessee!  Studying about good homeschoolers and battles bravely fought and bravely won.

It was so much fun, and so thrilling to learn about those men in Tennessee, and about the Generals…and to meet new friends.  I wrote about it so I would remember everything.  Before I get started, please realize half of the houses you couldn’t take pictures of the inside.  (I know!  I was totally bummed out.)

Stop #1: Rippavilla

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“They got away?  You were supposed to close the road!  You were supposed to stop them!  You were supposed–“

“Sir? Would you like more coffee?”

“Coffee?  When an army just snuck through my grasp?  Well, perhaps.”

In the yard of this stately house, the skirmish of Spring Hill was fought.  General John B. Hood had strategically placed his men to entrap the enemy…But somehow that failed.

To be honest, this house wasn’t my favorite.  The outside was beautiful, but the inside?  Eh, if you like mansions and work, this was your house.  I just like the magnolia trees and the yard.  It even had a gazebo!

Since it wasn’t my favorite spot, we’ll move on.

Stop #2: Observation Hill

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Hood stood next to me, irate as ever.  On his long face, his beard seemed to prickle.  “We attack them here.”

The Union army of 2,000 troops walked straight through the Confederate army of the same strength on the night of November 29. It was reported that several Union troops were caught while lighting their pipes in Reb fires.  We are not exactly sure why the Union army wasn’t stopped.  One Reb walked to Hood’s headquarters and informed him of what was going on.  Hood insisted he had told Cheetham take care of the matter–The only problem was that Cheetham was a drunk.

The Union forces ran all the way to Franklin, hoping to cross over the river and into the safety of Nashville.  However, that was not to be.  The bridges had washed out.

Hood chased the Union army to Franklin, where he realized he had to make his move before the bridges were built–before the Union army got to Nashville.  It seemed to be a now or never moment for Hood.  But Hood’s officers disagreed.

Standing in the same place as men like Hood, Forrest, and Cleburne was amazing.  I enjoyed learning about the men while I was there, and seeing the view.

Stop #3: The Carter’s house

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I closed my eyes.  That couldn’t be Uncle Todd.  It couldn’t have happened.  The doctor looked up and said, “Please hold that candle steady.”  I will never forget it.  Never, even though I am but eight.

The sad story of the Carter house stands out in my thoughts.  Maybe because the house itself was my favorite…maybe because the family reminded me of my own.

The Carter house was inches away from the Union strongholds.  In fact, the Union lines broke right at their house.  They have a small shed out in the back that is riddled with bullet holes.  There’s a cannon hole in the side of the house.

The family stayed in the cellar during the attack, as they didn’t think that the Rebs would actually attack in Franklin.  Would you attack men that had dug six feet into the ground and made breastworks?

The whole battle, minus forty-five minutes, took place in the dark.  It was hand to hand combat in the smoky darkness.  One survivor said that the smoke was so dense, he couldn’t pry his eyes open.  When he did, it was only to save his own neck.

The saddest part of the battle is that Fountain Carter came out of his cellar to see bodies everywhere…and then a Reb came up to tell him that his son, Todd, was lying injured on the battlefield.  This same son was supposed to be in a Union prison.

They found Todd…and three days later…he died.

Stop #4: Carnton

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“Your house will be used as a Confederate hospital.  I’d expect the men to arrive in fifteen to twenty minutes.”  And maybe they won’t ever leave–In fact, they might stay buried in your yard.

I’ve been to Carnton before, so it wasn’t as exciting.  How many have read The Widow of the South?  What?  None of you?  Okay, if you’re over thirteen, go read it immediately.  It’s amazing and it really makes you think.

I’m not going to dwell on Carnton too much.  If you like graveyards, go to Carnton.  If you like looking at dead soldiers names…go to Carnton.  If you like stories of brave women during wartimes…go to Carnton.

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Wait!  I’m not done with my visit, but I’m going to give you some human sides of this.  Like, what I did and thought.  I slept with my little sister, Rose, the whole trip.  She likes to cuddle.  And sleep in the middle of the bed.  Very annoying for me, since I do not like cuddling.

Here’s the quote of the trip.  (Credit to my younger sister)

Did you know the night is so long?  It’s longer here than at home.

My judgement on coffee during this trip.  At the first hotel it was so bad.  It smelled like charcoal.  And it tasted like stevia.  But, the second hotel’s coffee was so good, that I risked my life to go and get it at ten at night.

I enjoyed the tour, but the conference?  Well, I liked the vendor hall and meeting new people and seeing old acquaintances.

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Stop #5: Shy’s Hill

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IT SNOWED THAT NIGHT!  It had flurries all Wednesday, but Thursday it actually snowed on the ground.  It was a dusting–But still!

Shy’s hill was beautiful.  The story of courage, of fortitude, and of danger is thrilling.  Colonel Shy was told to hold this hill during the battle of Nashville.  When they saw a regiment of Minnesotans rushing up the hill, half of Shy’s men ran for their dear lives.  However, Shy stood firm and fought like a true man.

When shot in the head at point blank range, the hill was taken.  Shy’s body was the only body out of those Tennesseans that died there to be shipped home.  In fact, Shy’s body has a funny story to it.  However, I don’t have time or room to tell.  If you’d like to hear it, comment below.

Stop #6: Tennessee Capital

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Well, this is actually stop seven, but I don’t feel like telling you about stop six.  Anyway, we learned about Jackson, Polk, Johnson, and Sam Davis here.  Each man has an interesting story in his own right.

The statue above is of Jackson.

Did I know all this before the trip?  Um, most of it…Only because I read about it in a book about the Army of Tennessee.  You would like to learn more?  Read Company Aytch by Sam Watkins.

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Now, ready for the last bit of news?  *Grins really wide*. You won’t guess it.

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Did you say bunny?  A new bunny?  Now where did you get that idea?  Well, Snowball got a friend…his own blood brother to be exact…and we’ve named him Hedgcock, after our favorite author.

Sadly, Snowball would run away as soon as I got out the camera, but Hedgcock enjoyed posing for me.

What more history?  Think Hedgcock is cute?  Been to Nashville?  Comment below!

~~Amie~~

65 thoughts on “To Nashville! (and beyond!)”

  1. Reply
    Mandalynn says:

    Hedgcock? Hmm, that name sounds familiar. 😉
    I am glad you had a good time!
    It was great to see you all on Sunday and I am looking forward to seeing you again soon!!
    By the way, you should put the picture of you and Miss Hedgcock on here.

    Liked by 2 people

  2. Reply
    Parker Hankins says:

    Hello Amie, this is Parker from Miss Hedgcock’s website. I liked this post. I love all of the histories you posted. This trip must have been very educational. I like your bunny’s name. Tennessee is awesome!

    Liked by 3 people

  3. Reply
    Sam B says:

    Hedgecock is soo cute! You should find a way to make him and Snowball pose together! My rabbits used to be named Adams and Pipkin, after Watership Down, but then it turned out they were girls. 😀 Now they’re Phyllis and Lobelia.
    I loved reading about your trip! I’ve never been to Nashville, but I’ve been to lots of Civil War cites here in VA, as well as Gettysburg. It’s amazing!

    Liked by 1 person

      1. Parker Hankins says:

        Summer of Suspense, Peril on Providence Island, Riddle of the Ruby Ring, The Treacherous Trail, Prisoner of the Pyrenees, Iceland Intrigue, and Hunting in the Highlands. She’s working on another.

        Like

    2. Reply
      Amie says:

      I know! Isn’t he cute? He’s actually in his cage now. My rebel bunny (a.k.a. Snowball) is hiding out under the sofa.
      I’m dying to go to the ones in VA and Gettysburg???? When I go to Gettysburg, I will be sublimely happy.

      Like

    1. Reply
      Amie says:

      You have a hedgehog???? *hyperventilates*. Abby must be so cute! My BFF has a rabbit named Abby for that same book series. I decided that the rabbit couldn’t be named Jigson.

      Like

  5. Reply
    Callie S. says:

    Hey Amie! Callie here off of Noble Novels 🙂
    The trip sounds amazing…..I love Civil War history. And I also adore the Baker Family Adventure series!!! Hedgcock looks sooo cute…… it’s a shame that Snowball refused to cooperate 😉 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  7. Reply
    (HorseLover4Ever) Elizabeth says:

    I loved this history lesson, and I’d love another lesson!!! 😀 Hedgcock is so CUTE!!!! ❤ Nope, I've never been to Nashville–I haven't even been to TN yet! Glad you had such a nice time! (: It sounds like a LOT of fun.

    Liked by 1 person

      1. Hannah says:

        Haha, yes it is a very historically neat place! If you do go make sure to get the car tour at the visitor center. It takes about 5+ hours but is really neat and totally worth it!

        Liked by 1 person

  11. Reply
    mirroringjesus says:

    I’m not a huge history fan, but this was a interesting post… sounds like a great trip!!! (And no, I’ve never been to Nashville… or Tennessee… or many places… my Mom gets sick so we don’t travel too much. Just shorter trips. 🙁 —Someday I’ll travel! 🙂 If I have money 😉)

    Aww, Hedgecock is so cute! Love him!❤️

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Reply
      Amie says:

      Cool! I’m glad you liked the post. I’m like the only history fan I know…Besides my brother. Guess what we talk about together? War and bees. Strange, but that’s what we talk about.

      I know! Hedgcock! ❤

      Liked by 1 person

      5. Amie says:

        Haha! I laughed over your last answer…but I guess it was a pretty important invention. Who actually invented the wheel? Adam and Eve?

        Like

      6. Parker Hankins says:

        Wheels were invented circa 3,500 B.C. and rapidly spread across the Eastern Hemisphere. Wheels are the archetype of a primitive, caveman-level technology. But in fact, they’re so ingenious that it took until 3500 B.C. for someone to invent them. They were invented by the Greeks.

        Liked by 1 person

      9. Jac says:

        1. Jackson
        2…… I don’t like the union
        3. Hmm modern technology? It’s such a great way to spread the gospel and stay in touch with Brothers and sisters in the Lord.

        Liked by 1 person

      10. Amie says:

        Ooh! Good answers! Haha! Answer number two is so me, except I get chewed out about it. There were some good Union Generals…Some.
        Answer Number three is very interesting. I must say I would have a hard time answering my own question! XD

        Like

    1. Reply
      Amie says:

      Oh, that’s neat! Okay, so this question might be a bit odd, but would you be interested in reading my book I’ve written? I’m trying to get some guys to read it, but most guys don’t want to. It’s fine if you can’t. Just thought I’d ask.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Parker Hankins says:

        I’m a very fast reader. If you want to know how long it takes for an average person to read you can’t ask me. I just read the second chapter. You do great on personalities. The ending is very intriguing. I have to read the next.

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Amie says:

        Haha! I’m a fast reader too, but I’ve been told that by everyone, so I’m used to waiting at least three days for someone to get back to me on my book. I like fast readers. That means I get fast results.

        Liked by 1 person

  15. Reply
    Olivia Bell says:

    All the history was super interesting, I’m kinda a history liking person, lol! Haha, you risked your life to get coffee at 10 at night? Sounds scary. 😛 Hehe! Hedgecock is such a cutie, I’m glad Snowball has a friend to chill with now! I haven’t been to Nashville but totally want to, even though I live like a million miles away… 😦

    Like

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