October, 2023

SHY’S HILL ARTILLERY BATTERY READY FOR ACTION AS REFURBISHED HOWTIZERS RETURN TO PLATEAU

Two Mountain Howitzers that had been removed from Shy’s Hill a year ago for repair were reinstalled at their historic location on the Hill on Oct. 14, 2023, after refitting and restoration by specialists in Pennsylvania.

Mountain Howitzers return to the plateau on Shy’s Hill as Mark Martin and Bobby Whitson begin removing shipping material. Photo by Bill Ozier

The guns symbolize the howitzers that were wrangled up to this spot through darkness and muddy fields after the first day of the Battle of Nashville on Dec. 15, 1864, by the men of Confederate Capt. Rene Beauregard’s artillery battery. For a more complete summary of the acquisition and history of these field pieces, see earlier posts below.

The reinstallation was accomplished by Jim Kay, driving a 4-wheeler, along with BONT President Bill Ozier, Board member Bobby Whitson, and former Board member Mark Martin.

Mark Martin (L) and Bobby Whitson (R) assist Jim Kay on 4-wheeler to move howitzers into place. Mules and horses, not ATVs, were used in 1864. Photo by Bill Ozier

In addition, the 6-pounder field piece donated by the Woolwine family was also delivered back to BONT after being refitted with a new aluminum carriage. The cannon is destined to take its place on the battery line at Redoubt No. 1.

The reproduction cannon tube was donated by Ms. Graham Woolwine-Gilson, a Nashville native now living in Mamer, Luxembourg, and bears a bronze plaque stating, “Donated in memory of Porter Anthony (Tony) Woolwine.” The replica cannon tube was designed to resemble those manufactured by Noble Brothers, a large ironworks factory in Georgia producing pre-war items such as steam boat engines and locomotives but which turned some of its production to cannons for the Confederacy during the Civil War.

For a more detailed summary of the tube and its acquisition, see separate story at the Battle of Nashville “News” page.