2009 - War of Invasion—War of Liberation: Occupied Nashville and the Civil War and Emancipation in the Upper South

This workshop was sponsored by Middle Tennessee State University. The way that we came to be selected for this workshop is important for you to be aware of, because it suggests a lot about Dr. Bob Hunt, the Director of this workshop, and Jan Leone and Rebecca Conard, the Directors of the workshop we attended at the Hermitage in 2004.

We had applied to attend two workshops, but we were not selected to attend either one. It was reasonable that we were not selected, I guess, because we had already attended eight workshops in previous years, and it does make sense to "spread the wealth around." However, we contacted several directors of workshops we had attended previously; fortunately for us, Jan Leone and Rebecca Conard saw our email on a Sunday evening, and they talked with Dr. Robert Hunt. By the following Tuesday morning, we were officially selected to attend the workshop. We mention this because it demonstrates how "real" these three people are; they could have ignored this request on our part. We have all the respect in the world for these friends of ours. Of course we did not get into the workshop and cause two other candidates to be excluded; Dr. Hunt would not have allowed that. We were just lucky that two slots were available.

We feel that every aspect of the workshop was worthwhile and will change the way that we teach about the Civil War. While the South took a path we cannot condone, it is easier to have compassion for the Southerners, especially the civilians, and to realize that the aftermath of the War did not bring to former slaves the freedom that was envisioned by many abolitionists.

The sites were all very valuable and steeped in the culture that we were studying. Travellers Rest was especially appropriate, what with its beautiful setting and lush magnolia trees, because it continually reminded me of the reasons we were here. Maybe the most valuable insight we gained was during "down time" one evening when Dr. Hunt was gracious enough to accompany any workshop attendees who wanted to visit Murfreesboro, Tennessee, the site of Middle Tennessee State University. While there, we toured the town square and viewed the Confederate Memorial; its prominent place in the community does impart a feeling for the importance the people in the community place on "the lost cause."

The three military sites we visited all served the purpose of making it clear that the Civil War was deplorable in the devastation it caused to Americans of every region and background. The cemeteries especially were poignant, because in many cases the graves represent people who not only made the ultimate sacrifice for their beliefs, but also are unidentified, and so their loved ones eventually died not knowing what had happened to them.

It was evident that Dr. Hunt, while gracious and very approachable, was also very passionate and informed about the entire topic. The visiting scholars, including the presenters from the Tennessee State Archives, were all very knowledgeable and professional, as were the rangers at Stones River and Chickamauga battle fields. The visit to Murfreesboro one evening was very special also, because I saw the town square and the prominence of the Civil War monument, and that helped us understand the central role of the Civil War in today's southern culture, and the role women played in assuring that their legacy would not be forgotten.

While the housing arrangements never take precedence over the workshop itself, the motel was very convenient in that many restaurants and shops were within walking distance. The groups we were put into for lecture and study sessions worked out well. There was never anyone who seemed disruptive or condescending, and that made the workshop experience very enjoyable in and of itself.