A Monument for Peace

Date: December 1864
Status of the War: Nearing end; Union armies had largely conquered the South, but fighting continued.
Key Figure: Confederate General John Bell Hood.
- Objective: March Army toward Nashville, Tennessee, to capture the city and potentially reverse the war's course for the Confederacy.
- Background: Nashville had been under Union control since 1862. Its capture was thought crucial by Hood to save the Confederacy.

Date of Battle Start: December 15, 1864.
Weather Conditions: Freezing cold during battle.
Troop Conditions: Confederate troops were disadvantaged—outnumbered, ragged uniforms, and some soldiers lacked shoes.
- Outcome: On December 16, Hood's forces were defeated, marking a pivotal point leading to the end of the Civil War.
Union Victory: The Union's overall victory in the Civil War would be finalized four months later.

Reintegration of Southern States: Despite the war's end and reintegration of Southern states into the Union, the country remained socially and politically divided.
Monuments: Fifty years post-war, towns began constructing monuments to honor fallen soldiers:
- Northern Monuments: Predominantly honored Union soldiers.
- Southern Monuments: Primarily honored Confederate soldiers.
- Lack of Unity in Commemoration: No monuments honored both Union and Confederate soldiers despite the formal unification of states.

Initiation: In 1914, Mrs. James E. Caldwell, leading the Ladies Battlefield Association, began fundraising efforts for a monument recognizing those who died in the Battle of Nashville.
Artistic Contribution: Hired Italian sculptor Giuseppe Moretti to design the monument.
Fundraising Efforts: Money was raised through balls and local business donations.
Completion: The monument was completed in 1927.
- Design Features:
- Statue Representation: A young man stands between two horses.
- Obelisk: A tall white obelisk with an angel atop, signifying peace.
- Fundamental Message: "No guns, no swords, no trappings of war mar the peace-like beauty," as stated by Mrs. Caldwell.
- Conflict Recognition: Not merely a war monument but a peace monument honoring all who died, regardless of which side they fought on.
- Post-World War I Context: Additionally dedicated to American soldiers from World War I.

1974 Tornado Incident: A tornado caused the 40-foot tall obelisk to collapse, shattering it along with the angel on top.
Damage to Sculpture: Moretti's statue also sustained damage but was repaired.
Funding Challenges: The city did not have enough money to rebuild the obelisk.
Location Issues: The construction of an interstate nearby obstructed the view of the monument and access to it.
Public Forgetfulness: For approximately two decades, the monument became neglected and forgotten by the public.

1992 Initiative: The Tennessee Historical Commission proposed relocating the monument to a park near the original battlefield for better access and visibility.
New Fundraising Needs: The movement and restoration alongside constructing a new obelisk required additional fundraising efforts.
- Cost Estimates:
- The original statue cost $30,000 in 1927.
- Moving and restoring it was estimated to exceed $500,000.
Decades of Effort: After seven years of fundraising and restoration work, sufficient funds were secured.
Rededication: The monument was rededicated with a new obelisk, restoring Mrs. Caldwell's vision and making the message of peace visible once more.