Hollie McFadden was forced to take over management of her large farm following her husband’s death in 1841 while continuing to raise their 14 children. Hollie was an outspoken opponent of secession during the run up to war. Was it because she feared the impact of war on her already hard situation, or maybe she was concerned about losing her control in a patriarchal Confederacy? Hollie’s farm ended up in the middle of the fighting on the third day of the Battle of Stones River, January 2, 1863. Her farm suffered a great deal of damage and loss, including livestock and food supplies. Her losses totaled $2,025.85. Hollie spent the remainder of her life seeking compensation from the United States government. Hollie and her family never received anything possibly because one of her adult sons served in the Confederate army. Hollie never lived on her farm again due to damage to her home and relocated to Smyrna, Tennessee.
