Duane W. Gang

USA TODAY NETWORK - Tennessee

Stand near the Tennessee capitol in downtown Nashville and look southwest toward the state Supreme Court. Imagine few buildings and trees. Take in the sights and sounds of war — smoke from exploding shells and the echoes of cannon and musket fire.

That would have been your view 150 years ago Monday, as the two-day Battle of Nashville began to unfold. It was a desperate battle with "people dying on both sides," said Jim Hoobler, a senior curator at the Tennessee State Museum.

"In America we don't think of having war on our doorstep," said Hoobler, author of "Cities Under The Gun: Images of Occupied Nashville and Chattanooga." "Well, Nashville had it."

Nashville was a "huge military garrison" during the battle, with about 70,000 troops here, Hoobler said. Many weren't involved in the battle. Some men were at plays during the fighting, or visiting brothels and bars, Hoobler said.

"It is a pretty loose, wild town," Hoobler said.

Much has changed in the century and a half since Union forces defeated the Confederate Army of Tennessee in the battle — the last major Civil War fighting in the west.

But Nashville's history remains embedded into the fabric of Music City. Tennessean photographer Larry McCormack blended images of modern Nashville with what life was like 150 years ago to provide a unique snapshot of how the city has evolved since that decisive battle.

Bus tour

The Tennessean on Dec. 21 is hosting a bus tour showcasing the photo illustrations. We'll take you to key locations and show you how those areas have transformed in the 150 years since the Battle of Nashville. To sign up, go to www.tnmedia.com/bustour