Kelley’s Point Battlefield

Access to the Kelley’s Point Battle of Nashville site at Brookmeade Park and Greenway re-opened on Feb. 13, 2025, for the first time in more than five years as Metro Nashville government reclaimed the Park from a homeless camp.

The Metro Nashville Council approved $1.26 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds for renovation and repair of the 14-acre Park, most of it ($850,000) spent on repaving foot trails and parking areas, revamping trailhead signage, and installation of electronic gates which will allow the Park to be visited in the dawn to dusk period only. 

Damage resulting from the homeless camp was so extensive that the remainder of the funds were required for removal of garbage and debris by truck.  In addition, an “Eye in the Sky” camera system was installed in the parking lot, and Metro Police presence was increased, for additional security in the area.

Kelley’s Point, also known as Kelley’s Battery, is one only a handful of sites involved in the Battle of Nashville that have been fully preserved and made available to the public.  The Battle of Nashville Trust controls two of the most iconic sites – Confederate Redoubt No. 1 and Shy’s Hill – and was instrumental (when it was known as Battle of Nashville Preservation Society) in the initial identification and preservation of Kelley’s Point prior to 2000. For a complete list and description of these sites, visit the “Sites” page on this website.

For an excellent summary of the battle that occurred at Kelley’s Point, click on the historical signage below and zoom in.  In summary, Col. (Rev.) David C. Kelley commanded a detached unit from Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest’s cavalry to establish this battery atop a rocky bluff consisting of 4 to 6 field artillery pieces, and on Dec. 2, 1864, he began engagements with U.S. Navy ships attempting to bring troops and supplies upstream to the city of Nashville on the Cumberland River.

Kelley’s aggressive shelling, boarding, and commandeering of Navy gunboats and supply ships resulted in a two-week blockade and siege of the city by cutting off river transport. His operation was the first and only signficant offensive military action by the Confederate Army of Tennessee in the Battle of Nashville, and ironically, was also the very last significant offensive move by any Confederate Army in the Civil War.

After the homeless camp essentially shut down public access and use of Brookmeade Park, the Battle of Nashville Trust warned readers of this website not to visit the site for a variety of reasons including personal security.  BONT was active in the effort to get the Battery and the surrounding acreage restored, including sending a letter to Mayor John Cooper in October, 2020, after continued community complaints about the area. BONT’s letter requested clean-up of the area, as well as provision of appropriate housing for the homeless residents.   Problems persisted through the coronavirus pandemic years and Metro’s financial issues, but were ultimately resolved by re-location of the homeless population and renovation of the park.

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Visiting Kelley’s Point Battlefield

The trailhead leading out to the Cumberland River overlook is near the end of an unnamed lane located at approximately 7004 Charlotte Pike in Nashville (37209).  The lane is currently between two restaurants, Jim’N Nick’s BBQ on the left, and Bojangles on the right.  Visitors can also use Google Maps coordinates 36.129341, -86.904383 to locate the entrance to the lane.  The Park is open from dawn to dusk, but closed and gated at all other times.

The Park contains interpretive signage originally funded through an auction conducted by the American Civil War Roundtable-United Kingdom and a generous donation by Battle of Nashville Trust member Phil Van Steenwyk. 

Due to the restoration of the park as of Feb. 13, 2025, noted above, The Battle of Nashville Trust has removed its previous warnings to visitors.

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The Story

The photo above shows the primary interpretative signage explaining and describing the Battle at Kelley’s Point (click to enlarge). The panel was written and created by Bob Henderson, a Nashville historian and former president of the Battle of Nashville Trust (when its name was Battle of Nashville Preservation Society).  Bob has played a major role from the beginning in the discovery, preservation, and interpretation of this important site.

The article below was published by the American Battlefield Trust on July 7, 2001, and also tells the background of this important though less-known area of engagement as part of the Battle of Nashville, not only as to the battle between Confederate artillery and Union warships, but also how the site was saved through efforts by the Battle of Nashville Trust/Battle of Nashville Preservation Society. 

Kelley’s Point Battlefield: American Battlefield Trust, 2001

“A long-forgotten portion of the Nashville Battlefield has been rescued from development, thanks to the efforts of the Battle of Nashville Preservation Society (BONPS).

“The site, known as Kelley’s Point Battlefield, has long been written off as “too late to save.” However, after three years of negotiations with the property developer and the Nashville metro city parks administration, BONPS has gotten six acres of the site incorporated into the expanding Nashville “greenway” park system.

Above: Signage at the trailhead of the Brookmeade Park greenway, beginning a one-third mile walk to the river and site of Col. David Campbell Kelley’s two-week clash with the U.S. Navy just prior to the Battle of Nashville in December, 1864. (click to enlarge)

“The new park will be named Brookmeade Park at Kelley’s Point Battlefield. It is located nine miles west of Nashville near Bell’s Bend on the Cumberland River. The American Civil War Roundtable-United Kingdom has donated $2,000 for interpretation at the park.

“Kelley’s Point Battlefield is a significant site rarely mentioned in historical accounts of the battle of Nashville. According to BONPS President Bob Henderson, “Kelley’s Point illustrates that Nashville had the most extensive line of battle during the Civil War. From Kelley’s Point the Confederate line arched over 14 miles across the county from west to east Nashville. The actions at Kelley’s Point were also the largest sustained battle between the Confederate cavalry and the Union navy.”

“For two weeks prior to the battle, four artillery pieces under the command of Confederate cavalry under Lt. Col. D.C. Kelley effectively blockaded the Cumberland River against seven heavily armed Union gunboats. Confederate cavalry and Federal gunboats clashed in six separate engagements.

“During the fourth engagement, on December 6, 1864, the U.S.S. Neosho was hit more than 100 times by cannon fire without sinking. The ironclad narrowly avoided disaster when an unexploded Confederate shell breached the ship’s iron plating and lodged in its powder magazine.  John Dizenback, the ship’s quartermaster, was later awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for saving the Union colors aboard the Neosho when the flag was shot away by Confederate gunfire.

A full account of the battles is summarized in the interpretative history signage located at the Brookmeade Park trailhead.  Click Kelley’s Point signage.

“Kelley’s Point is the third property saved by BONPS in the last few years. They also own several acres on Shy’s Hill and at Confederate Redoubt #1.  BONPS thanks member Phil Van Steenwyk of Hawaii, and the Civil War Roundtable United Kingdom for the $2000 raised to fund the interpretive sign for the park. Thanks to Councilman Bob Bogen for his help on see this through, as well as the Metro Parks Department of Nashville.”

Above: The view of the Cumberland River from one of Col. Kelley’s artillery positions, looking downstream and commanding the western approach to the city. Photo by Tom Lawrence (click to enlarge)

Above: The view Eastward from Kelley’s Point, commanding the upstream leg of the river towards Nashville. Photo by Tom Lawrence (click to enlarge)

Above:  Bridge and boardwalk leading to Kelley’s Point Overlook at Brookmeade Park. Photo by Tom Lawrence  (click to enlarge)