Page:The American Cyclopædia (1879) Volume XII.djvu/160

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page needs to be proofread.

152 NASHVILLE Bell academy, an endowed institution, was united with it. The main building is a hand- some Gothic edifice of stone. In 1873-'4 there were 9 instructors, 179 preparatory and 44 col- legiate students, and a library of 11,000 vol- umes. The medical department, opened in 1850, also occupies a fine building; it has an extensive museum, and the charge of a miner- alogical cabinet of 20,000 specimens collected by Dr. Gerard Troost. The number of instruc- tors in 1873-'4 was 10 ; of students, 235. The funds and property of the university amount to $300,000. Fisk university was established in 1866 by several northern gentlemen for the colored youth of the state. The course em- braces the common and preparatory branch- es as well as those of collegiate grade. The number of instructors in 1873-'4 was 13 ; of students, 424. The Tennessee Central college (Methodist), also for colored people, was es- tablished in 1866, and in 1873-'4 had 8 pro- fessors and 28 students ; it embraces academic, normal, preparatory, collegiate, and theologi- cal departments. The Tennessee college of pharmacy, organized in 1872, in 1873-'4 had 5 professors and 20 students. The buildings of Vanderbilt university, named in honor of Cornelius Vanderbilt of New York, -who gave $500,000 for its establishment, are in course of erection. It is under the control of the Methodist Episcopal church, South, and is in- tended to comprise theological, law, medical, and literary and scientific departments. Oth- er educational institutions are a young ladies' seminary, a select school, and the following under the control of the Koman Catholics: St. Cecilia's academy for young ladies, St. Ber- nard's academy, and a parochial school. The public schools are graded, embracing a high school department, and are in a flourishing condition. The number of children between 6 and 18 years of age in 1873-'4 was 8,877; number enrolled in public schools, 3,656 (2,820 white and 836 colored); average attendance, 2,520 ; number of teachers, 70 ; total expendi- tures for school purposes, $75,170 53, of which $11,000 was for permanent improvements, and $48,180 25 for teachers' salaries; number of school houses, 6 (4 for white and 2 for colored children) ; number of sittings, 3,345 ; value of school property, $141,000. The state library in the capitol has 20,000, volumes and 5,000 pamphlets, and the city library 6,000 volumes. There are two daily, two tri-weekly, and eleven weekly newspapers, and nine monthly and two quarterly periodicals. There are 34 churches, viz. : 6 Baptist (3 colored), 3 Christian (1 col- ored), 1 Cumberland Presbyterian, 3 Episcopal, 1 German Lutheran, 2 Jewish, 5 Methodist Episcopal (1 German), 7 Methodist Episcopal, South, 4 Presbyterian, and 2 Eoman Catho- lic- The first permanent settlement at Nash- ville was made in 1779-'80, and the town was incorporated in 1784, and received a city char- ter in 1806. The state legislature met here from 1812 to 1815 inclusive, when it was trans- ferred to Murfreesbpro ; but since 1826 it has sat at Nashville, which was made the perma- nent capital of the state by a legislative act of 1843. In July, 1850, a convention of dele- gates from several of the southern states was held in Nashville, at which secession was open- ly urged. In February, 1862, the city was the headquarters of the confederate general A. S. Johnston, while he was awaiting the re- sult of Grant's operations against Fort Donel- son. When tidings came that the fort had been captured the legislature was in session ; it was immediately adjourned by the governor to meet at Memphis. It was Sunday; the churches were deserted, and the streets were piled up with property for removal. John- ston hastily abandoned the city, which was given over to the mob, and a scene of gene- ral plunder ensued. The Union forces moved upon Nashville, which was entered without opposition by a detachment under Gen. Buell, Feb. 26, Grant arriving the next day. An- drew Johnson was appointed military gover- nor of Tennessee, March 5, and reached Nash- ville on the 12th. The common council re- fused to take the oath of allegiance, and were removed ; the mayor was placed under arrest, and the press put under military supervision. During the ensuing summer several unsuccess- ful attempts were made by the confederates to regain possession of the city. In November, 1864, Gen. Thomas being in command of the Union army of Tennessee, Gen. Hood, who had succeeded Gen. J. E. Johnston and lost Atlanta, commenced an invasion of that state. Gen. Schofield, with a large Union division, fell back. He was overtaken at Franklin, 18 m. S. of Nashville, and a severe action en- sued, Nov. 30. The confederates assaulted the Union intrenchments and were repulsed, los- ing 4,500 men according to Hood's account, or about 6,000 according to Schofield's estimate. Schofield then joined Thomas at Nashville, which was strongly fortified. Hood followed, and early in December intrenched himself in front of the Union lines. On the 15th Thomas made an attack in force and drove the enemy from their works. During the night Hood took up another position, where he was at- tacked by Thomas in the afternoon of the 16th. The confederates were driven off in almost total rout; but night coming on, the pursuit was suspended. It was resumed on the next day, mainly by cavalry. Hood main- tained a strong rear guard, and succeeded, after several sharp skirmishes, in reaching the Ten- nessee river, which he crossed on the 27th. No trustworthy reports have ever been made of the losses in these actions. Thomas puts his loss in killed, wounded, and missing du- ring the entire campaign at about 10,000. He states that he took 13,189 prisoners; the confederates lost several thousands by deser- tion ; and their entire loss was probably nearly 25,000, besides 72 guns and a large number of small arms. For all practical purposes their