South Nashville in Davidson County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

A Birthplace of Freedom

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, July 31, 2021

1. A Birthplace of Freedom Marker

Inscription.

A Birthplace of Freedom. .

"In the hands of the enemy they are used with much effect against us. In our hands we must try to use them with the best possible effect against the rebels." , General in Chief H. W. Halleck to Major General U. S. Grant, March 31, 1863 H.W. Halleck Letters Sent, Generals' Papers and Books, series 159, Record Group 94, National Archives

During the occupation of the city, thousands of African American men, women, and children fleeing slavery sought freedom in Nashville. The Union Army labeled them "contrabands of war." Although the term referred to the escapees as property, the new policy granted African Americans a sense of freedom while undermining the rebellion at the same time., Organized into military-like labor battalions, these refugees worked as teamsters, woodcutters, cart drivers, laborers, stonemasons, cooks, laundresses, and nurses. As the military became more dependent on the critical labor African Americans provided, the focus of the war shifted from preserving the Union to ending slavery., Unprepared for the massive influx of African American refugees and plagued by internal disputes, corruption, prejudice, and indifference, the army rarely fulfilled promises of pay, rations, and shelter. In November 1864, the army established a refugee camp near Fort Negley. Overcrowding, exposure, disease, and want of adequate food, medicines, and clothing directly contributed to appalling mortality rates., Despite these conditions, African Americans chose personal independence over slavery. They secured their families, legalized their marriages, practiced their religion, and obtained educations for themselves and their children. Many at Fort Negley enlisted in the army, joining 20,000 black Tennesseans who fought for the Union. Within a decade, the camp, a source of safety and community, grew into a thriving African American neighborhood., Captions (Top to bottom) , . Fort on St. Cloud Hill, Nashville, Tenn. In Course of Construction, Oct. 15th, 1862 , . "Negro Settlement-Fort Negley-1884,” Carl and Otto Giers , . Return of Officers and Hired Men upon Contingencies of Fortifications, Nashville, July 1863

"In the hands of the enemy they are used with much effect against us. In our hands we must try to use them with the best possible effect against the rebels." — General in Chief H. W. Halleck to Major General U. S. Grant, March 31, 1863 H.W. Halleck Letters Sent, Generals' Papers & Books, series 159, Record Group 94, National Archives

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and indifference, the army rarely fulfilled promises of pay, rations, and shelter. In November 1864, the army established a refugee camp near Fort Negley. Overcrowding, exposure, disease, and want of adequate food, medicines, and clothing directly contributed to appalling mortality rates.

Despite these conditions, African Americans chose personal independence over slavery. They secured their families, legalized their marriages, practiced their religion, and obtained educations for themselves and their children. Many at Fort Negley enlisted in the army, joining 20,000 black Tennesseans who fought for the Union. Within a decade, the camp, a source of safety and community, grew into a thriving African American neighborhood.

Captions (Top to bottom)
• Fort on St. Cloud Hill, Nashville, Tenn. In Course of Construction, Oct. 15th, 1862
• "Negro Settlement-Fort Negley-1884,” Carl and Otto Giers
• Return of Officers and Hired Men upon Contingencies of Fortifications, Nashville, July 1863

Erected 2016 by Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County Parks & Recreation.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, July 31, 2021

2. A Birthplace of Freedom Marker

topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • African Americans • War, US Civil.

Location. 36° 8.688′ N, 86° 46.416′ W. Marker is in Nashville, Tennessee, in Davidson County. It is in South Nashville. It can be reached from Fort Negley Boulevard north of Chestnut Street, on the right when traveling north. Marker is along the outer loop around Fort Negley. Going counterclockwise on the trail, the marker is about 700 feet from the park entrance. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1100 Fort Negley Boulevard, Nashville TN, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Middle Tennessee.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Union Major General Don Carlos Buell

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(within shouting distance of this marker); Andrew Johnson (within shouting distance of this marker); Captain James St. Clair Morton (within shouting distance of this marker); Fort Design (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Nashville City Cemetery / Old Glory (about 400 feet away); Peach Orchard Hill (about 400 feet away); The Battle of Nashville (about 400 feet away); Nashville Surrendered (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Nashville.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 1, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 352 times since then and 32 times this year. Last updated on August 9, 2021, by David Austin of Scotts Hill, Tennessee. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 1, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.