This
White Oak (Quercus alba) is a living witness to the
occupation and encampment of the Federal forces (9th
Michigan Infantry) under Colonel William Duffield in 1862. On June
13, 1862 this unit surrendered, along with the entire Federal army
around Murfreesboro, after a daylong battle with Confederate Colonel
Nathan Bedford Forrest’s troopers. The wounded Col. Duffield became
a prisoner of war in the home of Major Lewis Maney (now the Oakland
Mansion), where the conference between Federal officers occurred
concerning the eminent surrender.
In December of 1862, Confederate President
Jefferson Davis and Col. George W.C. Lee (son of Robert E. Lee)
also visited the site prior to the battle of Stones River.
After that battle, the town of Murfreesboro returned to Federal
control for the remainder of the war.
This magnificent tree was aged to be over 250
years old, and stands on the grounds of the Oaklands House and Manor
in Murfreesboro.
Originally nominated by Jim Stubblefield of
State Rep. Bart Gordon’s office.
Entered into the Landmark & Historic Register
in 2004 as a Historic Tree.
