This White Oak (Quercus alba) is a living witness to the occupation and encampment of the Federal forces (9^th Michigan Infantry) under Colonel William Duffield in 1862.  On June 13, 1862 this unit surrendered, along with the entire Federal army around Murfreesboro, after a daylong battle with Confederate Colonel Nathan Bedford Forrest’s troopers.  The wounded Col. Duffield became a prisoner of war in the home of Major Lewis Maney (now the Oakland Mansion), where the conference between Federal officers occurred concerning the eminent surrender. 

In December of 1862, Confederate President Jefferson Davis and Col. George W.C. Lee (son of Robert E. Lee) also visited the site prior to the battle of Stones River.  After that battle, the town of Murfreesboro returned to Federal control for the remainder of the war.This magnificent tree was aged to be over 250 years old, and stands on the grounds of the Oaklands House and Manor in Murfreesboro.Originally nominated by Jim Stubblefield of State Rep. Bart Gordon’s office.

Entered into the Landmark & Historic Register in 2004 as a Historic Tree.