Mebane's Battery

This position was extremely devastating to the attacking Union army during the battle.

NPS Photo

Quick Facts

Location:

Southern Section of the park, just beyond the parking lot at the end of Cheatham Hill Dr.

Significance:

Confederate artillery position

Designation:

National Battlefield Park

Amenities

7 listed

Cellular Signal, Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits, Information Kiosk/Bulletin Board, Parking - Auto, Trailhead, Trash/Litter Receptacles, Water - Drinking/Potable

Confederate artillery, especially in this position, played a key part in the defense of Cheatham Hill. Major General Benjamin Cheatham (for whom this location is named) planned his defense very strategically. As early as June 24th, Cheatham would order the batteries "to be closely masked with brush and under no circumstances to reply to the artillery of the enemy'. This strategy would be effective in essentially keeping the Federals in the dark as to where the Confederate artillery was and what kind of artillery they had. As a result, when the thickly amassed column of Union infantry approached during the battle on the 27th, they made it to within 60 yards of this position without knowing any cannons were there at all. Cheatham writes "The advance was nearly all swept down by the first volley, the remainder being driven in confusion into the ranks of the assaulting mass". Also, this and the batteries on the right and left of it created a deadly crossfire for the upcoming infantry, creating chaos. This 2 gun section was commanded by John W. Mebane, under Liutenant J. W. Phillips. The guns in this section were most likely 12 pound Napoleans, just like the ones that sit here today.