Belle Meade Plantation

In December 1864, during the Battle of Nashville, a small skirmish occurred on the front lawn of Belle Meade Mansion. Confederate soldiers, led by Lt. Bleeker, were on a supply run and were passing by the Belle Meade Farm. They spotted a group of Union Soldiers who had camped on the front lawn near the Natchez Trail. Lt. Bleeker decided to attack the Union forces and a skirmish erupted that left permanent bullet holes on the front columns of Belle Meade Mansion. It is also rumored Selene Harding Jackson was on the front porch waiving a handkerchief in an attempt to get the soldiers to stop firing during the battle. The Confederate soldiers retreated and were pursued by Union forces.