Editing Brentwood, Tennessee (section)

===Civil War===
During the American Civil War, on March 25, 1863, Confederate Brig. Gen. [[Nathan Bedford Forrest]] led a column of men into Union-controlled Brentwood, intent on recapturing this section of the Nashville & Decatur Railroad. Forrest performed a quick sneak attack on Union Lt. Col. Edward Bloodgood. Forrest had cut the telegraph wires, isolating Bloodgood as he brought in heavy artillery. Bloodgood surrendered Brentwood that day, which was a significant loss for the Federals. Overall, there were 305 Union and 6 Confederate casualties. Much of Brentwood was destroyed in the battle.

After the Civil War, many of the large plantations were sold or had plots leased to [[freedmen]] [[sharecroppers]] and tenant farmers. Smaller farms dotted the countryside. [[Tobacco]] became the commodity crop of choice. The population was stable for almost 100 years.