A Metro Historical Commission historical marker honoring the role of United States Colored Troops (USCT) in the Battle of Nashville has been heavily damaged and will have to be removed and replaced with a new sign.
The damage was reported by WKRN-TV Chan. 2 News, noting that the cause of the damage is currently unknown. The marker was installed three years ago on Oct. 15, 2021, on Polk Avenue within sight of the preserved remnants of Granbury’s Lunette. It was the result of considerable hard work and expense on the part of the MHC and descendants of the USCT soldiers who fought on that ground on the first day of the Battle of Nashville, Dec. 15, 1864.
Photo: WKRN-TV News, Nashville. Click photo for Chan. 2 video story
The marker cannot be repaired and for safety, will be removed by NDOT. A replacement will entail significant expense and delay as the Historical Commission continues its efforts to commemorate the significant participation of Black troops in the battle.
The Battle of Nashville Trust released a statement expressing its hope that the damage was the result of an accident, but stressed the Trust would be “saddened and disgusted if investigation showed the damage was intentional.” BONT also offered to assist the MHC with the cost of the replacement, which could exceed $3,500.
**Click photo above for full Chan. 2 story**. For details of the battle at the Lunette, visit BONT’s “Granbury’s Lunette” page (insert link) and the story of the USCT marker’s installation on the NEWS page (insert link).
