On Sunday, September 8th at 3 P.M., the Franklin Civil War Round Table will host Nashville attorney, historian, and preservationist, James D. Kay who will present “The Incredible Story of Col. William Shy.”

William Shy was born in Bourbon, Kentucky and like many families of the time, his parents were split on which direction to go when war clouds loomed. His father sided with the North and his mother with the South. When William’s older brother, James, organized the Perry Guards which later became part of the 20th Tennessee Infantry, William joined him as a private in the Confederate Army. Serving with the Army of Tennessee with men from Middle Tennessee, including Williamson and Davidson counties, William rose through the ranks until he was promoted to lieutenant colonel in late 1863 and later colonel just before the Battle of Nashville. He was killed at Nashville on what is known today as Shy’s Hill. Shy’s story becomes intertwined with local Franklin history well after his death and even ultimately involves the University of Tennessee.

Kay is a partner in the Nashville law firm of Kay and Griffin. He received his undergraduate degree at Auburn University and law degree from Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia. He has contributed to several books and media productions about the Civil War and has been a leader in historical preservation work in Nashville with the Battle of Nashville Preservation Society. He has held memberships or leadership positions with the Founders of Fort Negley, Travellers Rest, and the Tennessee Civil War Preservation Association.

The event is free to the public. The Franklin Civil War Round Table is an educational program of Franklin’s Charge, and meets each month at Carnton Plantation's Fleming Center, 1345 Eastern Flank Circle. For more information, email fcwrt@yahoo.com, or visit: www.franklinscharge.org/round-table