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The Chattanooga Daily Rebel, Tennessee, October 7, 1862
Dr. William Bass
Dr. William Bass, a physician of this city, and son of John M. Bass, who has been connected with a gorilla party for some time now in this vicinity, met with a violent death a few nights ago. A guard of federal soldiers placed at the house of Mrs. Gen. Harding, in the country, at her request, to protect her property, had been fired on and captured by a party of gorillas led by Mr. Bass and an order was issued for his arrest. A party of soldiers were sent to a house where he had secreted himself to arrest him. He attempted to make his escape and was twice halted by the soldiers. He paid no attention to the command, when one of the fired on him with fatal effect.
Bass Place
The Bass Place, on the Charlotte Pike, six miles west of Nashville, formerly known as theh old Watkins homestead, was originally owned by W.E. Watkins, one of the noted men of his day.
The original tract wa one thousand acres, running along the Charlotte Pike from the Cockrill place to the old Davison homestead, and backing on the Cumberland River.
The old house of some fifteen rooms was built of brick and stone, bhe brick being molded and burned and the stone quarried and hauled by the slaves. The floors of this hold house were hand dressed and of ash, the sleepers and rafters werer cut out by hatchet and adz and are as good today as when put into the house. The shingles were of cedar and hand made and some of them are on the house today, though this building was completed about 1850.
The only daughter of W.E. Watkins married Dr. William Bass. Of this union there were five sons. Those living are Major W.J. Bass of Chattanooga, and O.E. Bass of West Nashville, both of whoem now own a greater part of the old tract.
During the Civil War a great many important events took place on this property.
Dr. William Bass left home to cast his lot with General Forrest, was commissioned captain and ordered to Nashville to recruit a troop of cavalry.
After Captain Bass had recruited a troop of cavalry he came in close to Nashville and passed one night at Genral Harding?s on the Harding Pike, known as ?Belle Meade?. Some of the negroes informed the Federals of his whereabouts, but he got away in time not be captured. A night or so after this, Captain Bass, with a few select men, went into camp on the Cumberland River, near the Charlotte Pike and alone went to see his wife and children at the old Watkins place, leaving orders for his troop or cavalry to come for him a three o?clock in the morning in order that they might attack the Federal pickets stationed on the Barrow hill, near Nashville. Some of the darkies on the place learned of Captain Bass? arrival at home and immediately reported to the Federals at Nashville. The Thirty-third Michigan Regiment was ordered out (and it is not stated definetly who was commander, whether Rosecrans or Alger). This regiment reached the old house, and called upon Captain Bass to come out. He came to the front door, thinking the call was from his own men, and without a word of warning he was host shot down by this Federal regiment, and left in the front yard. Hardly a part of his body escaped the bullets. The old home was ransacked and lmost torn to pieces. Captain Bass? wife, with five little children, was left on the place alone, every negro being ordered away. W.E. Watkins, then nearly seventy years of age, was also taken prisoner to the city. This young mother, with her five children was left to care for as best she could the murdered husband, and it was several days before proper burial arragenments could be perfected, the Federals refusing to allow anyone to pass through the lines and declining to permit andy help whatever.
Several days after this, Forrest came ito this section and had his revenge. Several gunboats were captured on the river and burned. Before these gunboats were captured, an attempt was made to destroy the old house, and several cannon balls were shot through it.
On the river banks, high in the hills, there are many graves where the dead are buried, with no marks to distinguish them.
The writer of this article recalls, as a child, standing by and seeing four or five soldiers burierd in a trench, in their uniforms, the Federals in one place and Confederates in another.
Much more could be written of the same history, but what is the use of recalling to this generation the bloody deeds and cruelty of a generation that is past.
The Tennessean, Nashville, Tuesday, November 13, 1906
For Sale
FOR SALE ? The Bass home place, known as Mount Hickory, on the north side of Charlotte pike, two and one-half miles from the western city limits of Nashville, Tenn. This grand old Southern farm of three hundred and twenty-eight acres, one-half in cultivation and the remainder in woodland and pasture, with twelve-room colonial brick residence, is for sale for division among the heirs. Small cash payment, easy terms. Splendid opportunity for stock farm. Address A.G. Ewing, Jr., R.L Kennedy, Percy D. Maddin, attorneys for the heirs, Nashville, Tenn.
1860 Federal Census of District 12, Davidson County, Tennessee (9 Jul 1860)
William Watkins 73 M Pennsylvania Farmer 78,000 76,000
William Bass 30 M Tennessee Farmer 45,000 35,000
Caroline 29 F Tennessee
William 7 M Tennessee
John 2 M Tennessee
Hewitt 1 M Tennessee
& 2 others
1870 Federal Census of District 12, Davidson County, TN (1 Aug 1870)
Wm. Shelton 46 M Tennessee Baptist Minister 70,000 10,000
Caroline 36 F Tennessee Keeping House
William Bass 17 M Tennessee At school
James Shelton 16 M Tennessee At school
William Shelton 14 M Tennessee At school
John Bass 12 M Tennessee At school
Nancy Shelton 12 F Tennessee At school
Hewett Bass 11 M Tennessee At school
Kitty Shelton 10 F Tennessee At school
Ewing Bass 9 M Tennessee At school
Everett Bass 8 M Tennessee At school
& servant
1880 Federal Census of Nashville, Davidson County, TN (9 Jun 1880)
John W. Maddin 45 M TN PA KY Head Physician
Anna 43 F GA NC GA Wife Keeping House
Percy D. 19 M TX TN GA Son Student
John 17 M TX TN GA Son Student
Anna 14 F TX TN GA Daughter At School
Louise 3 F TN TN GA Daughter
William J. Bass 27 M TN TN TN SonL
Ida Bell 21 F TX TN GA Daughter
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Bassett Family Association Database
1829 - 1862 (33 years)
d. 14 Mar 1878, New Orleans, Louisiana