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A Bloggers Guide to the Battle of Franklin

BattleofFranklin.net
Kraig W. McNutt, battleoffranklin@yahoo.com 4/2/2010

Franklin resident Kraig McNutt has been blogging on the Battle of Franklin for over five years. This publication includes some of the best content adapted from his blog found at: www.BattleofFranklin.net

So what is the Battle of Franklin, and why should you care?

The McGavock Confederate Cemetery is a real place one can visit in Franklin, TN, just a few minutes south of Nashville. It is the largest privately owned military cemetery in the United States. There are nearly 1,500 Confederate soldiers resting at McGavock. Almost 150 years ago some 60,000 American Civil War soldiersNorth and Southmet close to downtown Franklin on a beautiful Indian summer evening, November 30, 1864. The carnage resulting from this late autumn clash would have a devastating impact on Franklin and the Confederacy. By late 1864, the South was in desperate need of a victory to maintain their way of life and their cause. It seemed that a Confederate victory in Nashville would revive the hopes of the Southern Confederate States, and maybe even turn the tide of a nearly four year old war. A war that had already costs hundreds of thousands of lives for both sides. Many thought that the Confederate Army of Tennessee, coming home to their native State, just might infuse the Southern cause with new energy and purpose. So when Confederate John Bell Hoods troops clashed with Union General John M. Schofields forces around the Fountain Branch Carter farm some 10,000 men became casualties of the blood-bath. The battle was fought from four to nine that day resulting in nearly 2,000 killed outright. The amazing thing is that the battle was completely unexpected because the Federal army was held up at Franklin, due to bridges being out, that delayed them from actually getting to Nashville. Most of the battle was fought after dark, and also with rare hand-to-hand combat. Historians say it was the bloodiest five hours of the American Civil War. The entire town of Franklin only had some 2,000 residents at that time. Imagine a town having to deal with battle casualties ten times its own size. The after-battle scene, caring and tending to the wounded and dying, dragged this sleepy little middle Tennessee town into a story of unimaginable horror. Every available home and business was used as a field-hospital to tend to the thousands of casualties. The most famous Franklin field-hospital was the John and Carrie McGavock residenceCarnton. Carrie McGavock became famously known as the Good Samaritan of Williamson County as a result of caring for the hundreds of wounded and dying in her own home. She would later be immortalized in Robert Hickss novel as the Widow of the South. The scars would heal and the screams would subside but the memories would never fade nor the bloodstains be completely washed away from the floors of many Franklin homes. The ripple-effects of this battle can still be felt almost 150 years today. The recent story of how the preservation community in Franklin successfully reclaimed over 100 acres of original Franklin battlefield land formerly a country club is evidence that the Battle of Franklin has become the Battle FOR Franklin. The plan is to use this newly reclaimed land as the main base for the future official National Franklin Battlefield Park. This newly reclaimed land is the largest, most successful battlefield reclamation project in the history of Civil War preservation in the United States.

Arthur MacArthur on importance of Franklin

At the Battle of Franklin, young Arthur MacArthur was a Major in the 24th Wisconsin and part of Opdyckes brigade that counter charged around the Carter House to stem the Confederate breach of the Federal line. He was badly injured in this fighting with multiple wounds and was sent to Nashville where he recovered. MacArthur was later awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions at Missionary Ridge, Chattanooga the previous summer. After the Civil War, Arthur fathered Douglas MacArthur of WW II fame, served in the Philippine War, and rose to Military Governor of the Philippines. Regarding the Battle of Franklin action MacArthur saw, he stated: Battles great for conception or political results, ought to be studied; but those that save should be commemorated and celebrated. We owe admiration to the first; gratitude to the others. Franklin was essentially a battle that saved, and as such must be classified as second only to Gettysburg in importance during the entire war. Source: Letter from Arthur MacArthur to Charles Clark, May 13, 1895

Quotes related to the battle of Franklin

When we got to the turnpike near Spring Hill, lo! and behold; wonder of wonders! the whole Yankee army had passed during the night. The bird had flown. - Confederate Private Sam Watkins, 1st Tennessee Infantry [Hood was] wrathy as a rattlesnake this morning, striking at everything. - Confederate General John Brown to Maj. Vaulx of Cheathams staff, on the disposition of John Bell Hood on the morning of November 30th, upon learning that the Federals had escaped from Spring Hill in the early morning hours and had headed toward Franklin. I have never seen more intense rage and profound disgust than was expressed by the weary, footsore, battle-torn Confederate soldiers when they discovered that their officers had allowed their prey to escape. - Mississippian Rhett Thomas The road was strewn everywhere with the wreck of thrown away stuff that they were unable to carry in their flight.

- Confederate Lt. Spencer B. Talley, 28th TN Infantry, describing what he saw along the Columbia Pike as the rebel army followed after the Union army into Franklin . . . . the road was strewn with tents, knapsacks, dirty clothing, books, paper and a great many wagons were on fire. - Lt. William H. Berryhill, 43rd Miss., (CSA) Burnt wagons, dead pack animals, and tossed knapsacks all seemed to indicate a demoralized retreat, heartening the Southerners with thoughts of possible enemy capitulation and a quick victory. Patrick Brennan, The Battle of Franklin, North & South magazine, January 2005, Vol. 8., No.1: page 35. If you prevent Hood from turning your position at Franklin, it should be held; but Ido not wish you to risk too much. - George H. Thomas (c0mmander), to John M. Schofield, regarding how to proceed if an attack was to ensue at Franklin. Contrast this with Hoods attack at-any-cost approach at Franklin. I do no think the Federals will stand strong pressure from the front; the show of force they are making is a feint in order to hold me back from a more vigorous pursuit. - General John Bell Hood to Nathan Bedford Forrest General Hood, if you give me one strong division of infantry with my cavalry, I will agree to flank the Federals from their works within two hours time. - Nathan Bedford Forrest to his commander Hood. Hood engaged two Corps at Franklin; Stewarts and Cheathams. He did not even wait for Lees Corps or for his artillery to effectively engage in the ensuing battle. Had he waited for Lee, he would have had three more divisions and could have supported Forrest in his request. We will make the fight. - General John Bell Hood to a subordinate officer after surveying the battlefield from Winstead Hill, just shortly before the battle began. I hereupon decided, before the enemy would be able to reach his stronghold at Nashville, to make that same afternoon another and final effort to overtake and rout him, and drive him in the Big Harpeth river at Franklin, since I could no longer hope to get between him and Nashville, by reason of the short distance from Franklin to that city, and the advantage which the Federals enjoyed in the possession of the direct road. - Confederate commander of the Army of Tennessee, General John Bell Hood, quoted from Hoods memoirs, written long after the battle. I could easily see all the movements of the Federals and readily trace their line. I saw that they were well fortified and in a strong position. I felt that we would take a desperate chance if we attempted to dislodge them. - Corps Commander, Major General Benjamin F. Cheatham, upon surveying the battlefield from Winstead Hill, two miles south of the Federals position in downtown Franklin. If an assault was to be made by Hood, General Cleburne said it would be a terrible and useless waste of life.

- General Patrick R. Cleburne, Cheathams division, who would soon lose is own life during the assault. General, I will take the works or fall in the effort. - Patrick Cleburne to General John Bell Hood. leburne would fall, mortally wounded in attempting to take the works. It was the grandest sight I ever saw when our army marched over the hill and reached the open field base. Each division unfolded itself into a single line of battle with as much steadiness as if forming for dress parade. . . The men wer etired, hungry, footsore, ragged, and many of them barefooted, but their spirit was admirable. - James D. Porter, who served on Benjamin F. Cheathams staff. The rebels had filled the plain to the south, sounding to all like a tornado heralded by clouds of darkness and muttering thunders. I.G. Bennett and William M. Haigh, History of the Thirty-sixth Regiment Illinois Volunteers, 1876, page 644; quoted in Patrick Brennan, The Battle of Franklin, North & South magazine, January 2005, Vol. 8., No.1: page 35. General Cleburne seemed to be more despondent than I ever saw him. Iwas the last one to receive any instructions from him, and as I saluted and bade him good-bye I remarked, Well General, there will not be many of us that will get back to Arkansas, to which he replied, Well, Govan, if we are to die, let us die like men. - Brigadier Daniel C. Govan to Cleburne, and Cleburnes reply upon commenting just moments before the assault was ordered by Hood. We could see them [Confederate Generals on the field at a distance] casting doubting glances in the direction of the formidable foe in our front; and judging from the appearance of their grave and serious looks, we all knew that our commanders in some degree realized the dept of that yawning gulf of destruction which awaited them and us, and which only too soon would engulf us all. - An unknown Confederate soldier; quoted in Patrick Brennan, The Battle of Franklin, North & South magazine, January 2005, Vol. 8., No.1: page 37. A profound silence pervaded the entire army; it was simply awful, reminding one of those sickening lulls which precede a tremendous thunderstorm. - Confederate, John M. Copley, A Sketch of the Battle of Franklin, p. 48. Go back, and tell them to fight like hell. - Union General George Wagner instructing the courier to return to Wagners men on the frontline, who would take the initial blunt from Hoods assault. A tremendous deluge of shot and shell . . . seconded by a murderous sheet of fire and lead from the infantry behind the works, and also another battery of six guns directly in our front. It was, he said, a scene of carnage and destruction fearful to behold. - A Mississippian survivor who faced the withering fire from Stiles brigade on the Union left flank at the opening of the battle. Great God! Do I command cowards?

- Confederate General William Loring, as he witnessed scores of his Mississippians running for their lives back toward the pike, after facing the initial onslaught of the fire from Casements and Stiles brigade on the Union left flank. Never before did a command of the approximate strength of Casements in as short a period of time kill and wound as many. - Union soldier, B.F. Thompson, 112th Illinois, in History; p. 277. Casements brigade was made up of 65th and 124th Indian, and the 65th Illinois. Dam*ed Rebel sons of b_____es . . . . stand here like rocks, and whip the h___ out of them. - John S. Casement, Union commander of the 2nd brigade Regarding the violent clash between Opdyckes men and pockets of Cleburnes and Browns one survivor described the action as the contending elements of hell turned loose (so indelibly stamped that a) long life spent in peaceful pursuits will not suffice to erase or even dim them. - A survivor of the 73rd Illinois regiment. With no place to go and no place to hide, the Confederates mounted desperate attacks across the parapet as many as thirteen charges according to one account and the Federals lining the retrenchment methodically blasted them back. The space between the two gashes in the ground began to resemble a sepulchre, grotesquely lit by little more than gunfure blasts and artillery explosions. And in a particularly gruesome development, the men started building shelters out of the bodies of their comrades. All the while the nearly continuous fire from the gin house coursed through the huddled soldiers, exacting a bloody price with every sweep. - Quoted in Patrick Brennan, The Battle of Franklin, North & South magazine, January 2005, Vol. 8., No.1: page 43; Regarding the fire General George Gordons Confederate troops experienced as they fought in front of the Cotton Gin. I never saw men put in such a terrible position as Cleburnes division for a few minutes. The wonder is that any of them escaped death or capture. - a Federal soldier, quoted in, The Battle of Franklin, M. Foster Farley, Civil War magazine; Summer 2006: p. 58. Heads, arms, and legs were sticking out in almost every conceivable manner . . . The air was filled with moans of the wounded. - Capt. John Shellenberger, 50th Ohio, Union soldier. It was impossible to exaggerate the fierce energy with which the Confederate soldiers that November afternoon threw themselves against the works, fighting with what seemed the very madness of despair. At some of the earthworks the press of men was so great that the dead having no place to fall, remained in an upright position. - a Federal soldier, quoted in, The Battle of Franklin, M. Foster Farley, Civil War magazine; Summer 2006: p. 58. Our loss of officers in the battle of Franklin on the 30th was excessively large in proportion to the loss of our men. The medical director reports a very large proportion of slightly wounded men. - John Bell Hood, writing two days after the battle to Confederate Secretary of War, James A. Seddon. The South lost 53 of 100 regimental commanders in the field at Franklin. Granburys brigade alone lost 70% of their regimental commanders. Undeterred, Hood would

mercilessly throw his beleaguered Army of Tennessee against Thomas in another suicidal attack just two weeks later, effectively destroying his army. He would be replaced within weeks of the loss at Nashville, having led the Army of Tennessee for roughly six months

The Battle of Franklin was fought mostly at night

The sun goes down early in late November in Williamson County, Tennessee. The Battle of Franklin (Nov 30, 1864) was fought mostly from 4:00 to 9:00 pm. It was a beautiful Indian Summer day around 50 degrees that day but the sun started setting around 4:30 in the late afternoon. By 5:30 it was dark. The most intense fighting on the Union line and breastworks would have taken place in the evening, from 6 til 9pm. There was close hand-to-hand fighting at Franklin, especially around the Fountain Branch Carter home and his cotton gin. One can only imagine the incredible scene of desperate carnage that could be seen only as musket fire flared, temporarily giving a brief flash of fire. Frank Leslies Illustrated has a picture of night fighting during a night attack on the Federal forces under Major Bowen, Occupying Salem, Mo., by the Confederate forces under Colonel Freeman, December 11th, 1861.

Actions in middle Tennessee in November 1864

What important engagements and actions did the middle Tennessee region see during the Civil War in November 1864? The Official Records list the following actions by the day of the month for November 1864. Each action has an entry in the Official Records detailing what happened. 1-30 Tennessee/transfer of the First and Third Divisions, Sixteenth Army Corps, from Missouri to 1 Union Station/skirmishes 2-3 Davidsons Ferry, Tennessee River/attack on gunboats 4-17 Breckinridges/advance 4-5 Johnsonville/action 4 Tawah, U.S.S., U.S.S. Key West, and U.S.S. Elfin/destruction 5-6 Big Pigeon River/skirmishes 9-13 Moscow/expedition to 10 Memphis/scout near 11-13 Bulls Gap/action 11 Russellville/skirmish 14-Jan. 23, 1865 Tennessee, Middle/campaign in 14 Russellville/action near 15 Collierville/skirmish near 16-17 Strawberry Plains/skirmishes 17 FlatCreek/skirmish 22 Lawrenceburg/action 23 Fouche Springs/skirmish 23 Henryville/skirmish 23 Mount Pleasant/action 24-27 Columbia/skirmishes in front 24 Campbellsville/action 24 Lynnville/skirmish 28 Duck River/skirmishes at crossings 28 Shelbyville/skirmish 29 Columbia Ford/action 29 Mount Carmel/skirmish 29 Rally Hill/skirmish near 29 Spring Hill/engagement 29 Thompsons Station/affair 30 Thompsons Station/skirmish 30 Franklin/battle Source: A Guide-Index to the Official Records Of The Union And Confederate Armies, 18611865. Volume IV, Main Western Theater Ops. except Gulf Approach (1861-63). Section NChecklist by State/DateTENNESSEE.

Soldiers accounts from letters and diaries

Union soldier writes about fighting Hood in late 1864
Raleigh, North Carolina April 20, 1865, Nov. the 28th We was ordered to Nashville to defend the place against Rebel [John Bell] Hood. December 1 we got there and dug trenches 2 days and 1 night. Dec. the 4th & 5th considerable skirmishing. The 6 & 7 considerable firing on picket with a little fight. We lost several. The 15th Thomas went for them and it was a hard fight with a loss to the Rebs of 12 hundred prisoners 18 pieces of cannon 8 battle flags which we got. The 16th the fight gets harder our loss 1000 killed and wounded. Rebs loss 600 hundred killed & wounded. We captured 5000 prisoners 30 canon and several battle flags. The 17th Hood has left our front and skedaddled. Thomas after him. The 19th we was ordered to move we marched to Murfreesboro 2 days.went 9 miles the other side of Huntsville, Alabama the track being torn up. We had to march the rest of the way. The 27th we crossed the Tenn. River on transports and run the rebs out of Decatur . Our cavalry captured 4 canon then we started after Hoods pontoon train but hearing that he had made a crossing below we lay at Cortland a few days.

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Sight of mass formations at Franklin must have been incredible

McGavock Cemetery has nearly 1,500 Confederate soldiers buried on the grounds in front of Carnton. There is no doubt that scores, if not hundreds of them, were casualties resulting from the mass formations and marching the Confederate Army of Tennessee made on open ground, for nearly two miles, as the Rebels came upon the defended Federal line entrenched near downtown Franklin as the battle opened up. During the Civil War, mass formations, assaulting defended breastworks, often led to mass casualties for the assaulting army. Franklin was no different. About 4pm on November 30, 1864, C.S.A. General John Bell Hood launched a frontal attack against the Federal troops of the 23rd and 4th Corps of General John M. Schofield. The Confederate Army of Tennessee marched in mass formation across open ground, mostly flat, for nearly two miles before clashing with the Federal line. On a few battlefields, massed enemy formations could be seen at a considerable distance, at least before the firing began in earnest. Robert G. Carter of the 22nd Massachusetts wrote of the sight of oncoming Confederates on the second day of Gettysburg: The indistinct form of masses of men, presenting the usual, dirty, greyish, irregular line, were dimly visible and moving up with defiant yells, while here and there the cross-barred Confederate battle flags were plainly to be seen. Rebel lines also were fully visible at Antietam, Franklin, Bentonville, and a number of other engagements. The Union Soldier in Battle: Enduring the Ordeal of Combat. Earl J. Hess, p. 12 View of terrain, looking south, Confederate Army of Tennessee marched across for over one mile at Battle of Franklin Confederate General John Bell Hood had this basic view of the (then) open ground between Winstead Hill and the entrenched Federal line near Fountain Branch Carters property in November 1864. The entire Confederate Army of Tennessee (about 20,000) was positioned here, facing north as in the picture, before they started the quick-step march toward the Federal army (about 22,000). Original view

Picture credit: Historical Markers of Williamson County, Rick Warwick, p. 174

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Contemporary view

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104th Ohio Federal soldiers describes firing at Confederates at Franklin

The Confederate Army of Tennessee marched across over open ground for over a mile before they finally reached the Federal line near downtown Franklin. A soldier in the 104th Ohio wrote about that scene. Hess writes about this kind of troop assault movement then quotes the Ohio soldier: When the terrain and vegetation allowed the troops to fire at longer ranges, they could maximize the damage done to attacking forces. At the battle of Franklin, Confederate division advanced over open, rolling ground for a mile before they attacked heavy fortifications. The Federals were ready for them and opened fire as soon as they could. Andrew Moon of the 104th Ohio scampered over the battlefield that night before his regiment pulled out of the works. Well, for 400 yards in front, I could hardly step without stepping on dead and wounded men. The ground was in a perfect slop and mud with blood and, oh, such cries that would come up from the wounded was awful. The Union Soldier in Battle: Enduring the Ordeal of Combat. Earl J. Hess, p. 156

George Estes, Co A, 14th MS writes about the expected battle

The 14th MS was part of Adamss Brigade, Lorings Division Our division was in the right of the Pike and on the top of a high ridge from where we could see all the movements of the enemy. The blue coats were busy fixing for us. We could see them by the thousands, shoveling dirt, cutting brush and bushes and making all kind of traps for us to march against. I was very much in hopes they would run again, but they kept on digging and seemed to be burying themselves behind their breastworks. I kept feeling more and more anxious about the kind of reception they were going to give us. We lay in full view of them till nearly sundown. Oh! What a day of suspense, and mortal fear. I could hardly content myself with standing or sitting for I fully realized the fact that many of us who were now alive and full of fond anticipation would in a very short time be laid low by the shells and shots of a relentless foe, and my anticipations were fully realized.

-The Civil War Years Revealed Through Letters, Diaries & Memoirs. Warwick, p. 189. Estes survived the battle. Ten of Estess fellow 14th MS are buried at McGavock.

Soldier-letter, 30th Georgia, details Battle

Letter from Pvt James A. McCord of Co G, 30th Georgia Infantry to his brother Capt William McCord who commanded Company G until wounded at Jonesboro, Georgia August 31, 1864. Capt McCord was recuperating at his home in Jackson, Georgia when this letter was written. (From Special Collections of the Woodruff Library of Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia)

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Franklin Tenn Decr. 3rd 1864 Dear Brother After a long and very hard march, we arrived at this place, the 30th day of Novr. about 4 oclk when we went immediately into a fight and every one says that it was the hardest fought battle that has been fought during the war. There is no telling what our loss is. We lost ten Genls killed & wounded.Genls Cleburne Granburry, Gist, Adams, Strahl, & one more I forgotten were killed and four that were wounded. Granburys celebrated brigade left this place yesterday morning with 137 Guns all told. Hall & Jno Tom Gillispie(1) was both killed dead on the field, and nearly every one of the company fared the same fate. The larger portion of Genl Bates Div acted very cowardly in the first of the fight. Tylers & Finleys and Jacksons left would not charge the works. I was skirmishing in front of Tyler & Finley and they run three times and left me on the hill begging them to come back when one of old Abes boys plugged me in the right foot, making it a severe wound, tho not a serious one I hope. I am well cared for. I do not know any place where I could fare as I do here. The people are the kindest in the world especially the Ladies. The world does not know their superior and I doubt that their equal can be found. Lt McKibbin(2) wounded in left fore arm. Troy Saunders(3) slightly in arm (gone back to Co.) Mo Mays(4) & Ben Deason(5) were wounded but not dangerous I believe. I do not know how your company suffered (but little I believe). No Country knows a braver man than Genl Bates. I am proud to say that there was no one between me and the Yankees when I was wounded. You will have to excuse this short letter as my foot pains me a great deal & I do not know when I will get a chance to send off though I believe I will put it in the P.O. Give my love to all. Truly yours Jas A McCord(6) P.S. This fight lasted eleven hours.

40th Indiana soldier writes about his action at Franklin

Our division, that of the 2d of the 4th army corps, bore the brunt of this terrible, bloody battle, losing more than 2,000 men. This was the hardest fought and bloodiest battle, for the number engaged, during the war. It was a hand-to-hand contest. The rebels, being stimulated by the aid of whisky, were urged on by the valor of their officers to break through our lines and march on Nashville, Tenn., only thirty miles distant, and the home of many of the brave, rebel soldiers who fell to rise no more at that bloody battle. Each charge made by the rebels was as stubbornly resisted by us Union soldiers. Never wavering or faltering, but each one vieing [sic] with each other in deeds of valor, every one of us baring our breasts to the enemys guns to do or to die. James Bragg, 40th Indiana Infantry Source: Early Life and Times in Boone County, Indiana; Harden & Spahr, Lebanon, Ind. 1887. Web resource: The 40th Indiana Infantry

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50th Ohio soldier writes of Franklin battle, mentions dead and wounded.
Columbia Tenn Dec 28th 1864 Dear Sister, I received a long letter from you today. I reply not because there is anything of importance transpiring just at present, but because when the most happens is the time I am entirely unable to write. Since I was last at Columbia we have had some stirring times. Hood drove us back to Nashville. We had a very severe battle at Franklin during which our Regiment lost in killed wounded & captured some thing over half its men. After that we were in the big fight at Nashville & our company lost its Commanding Officer, a fine man who was shot through the breast & had an arm broken by a musket ball. But the success atoned for all the loss & more. Hood has halted at Columbia again. The rest of the Army has gone down after Hood. How long we shall remain here idle I know not but presume we shall have plenty to do. Sherman has taken Savannah & Hardee has escaped with his 15,000 men & will probably reinforce Hood which will give him a chance to show us considerable fight. But we shall conquer in the end. The right will triumph in the end. Charleston will be taken next and all important Sea ports. Christmas is over & I thought often of the fine times you were having at home. We had rather hard times living on hard tack & sow belly. It is quite cold to night, I have just had an argument on Slavery with the Captain who is for allowing the slaveholders credit for honesty on account of early education and I am not. I would just as take a horse or hoe from one of these men as not. But I must stop writing. Having passed safely through the Battle of Franklin I expect good times for a while. Let me know if any thing new happening and you hear from Thomas. Goodbye. Your Bro. A.M.Weston Asa M. Weston enlisted on 8/11/62 as Sergeant in Company K, 50th Ohio Infantry. He survived the Civil War.

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The fiercest fighting during the battle of Franklin (November 30, 1864) centered around the home of Fountain Branch Carter (see above), looking East. Hundreds of wounded and dead could be seen from the porch after the battle. Many of those Confederate soldiers would eventually be interred at McGavock cemetery close by.

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George C. Patterson, 72nd Illinois, KIA at Franklin

George C. Patterson was from Harrison, Illinois when he enlisted on August 9, 1862, as a Private. He mustered into Company B of the 72nd Illinois Infantry on August 21st. Patterson was killed at Franklin on November 30, 1864. American Civil War Database lists at least 16 72nd Illinois men having been killed at Franklin. The Union Army, Vol. 3 says, in the fight at Franklin it lost 9 officers of our 16 engaged, and 152 men, who were either killed or severely wounded. The 72nd Illinois was part of Stricklands Brigade [72nd Illinois, 44th Missouri, 50th Ohio, and the 183rd Ohio] at Franklin. The 72nd was placed just to the left (west) of the 50th Ohio which was buttressed up against the Columbia Pike about 50 yards in front of the Carter House. My Google Map www.FranklinBattlefield.com shows the position of the 72nd Illinois in relation to the other brigades around the Carter House. J. A. SEXTON, Capt., Seventy-second Illinois Volunteer, Cmdg. Regt. wrote the following about the action at Franklin involving the 72nd Illinois. At about 7 a.m. reached Franklin, the brigade taking position on the right of the road and commenced fortifying the left of the Fiftieth Ohio resting on the Franklin pike, the Seventysecond Illinois being on the right of the Fiftieth Ohio. Were at work on the fortifications at the time the enemy made their first assault. About 4 p.m. two divisions of the Fourth Corps, being in front of the works gave way on the approach of the enemy and rushed pell-mell into our works. At the same time the support on our left gave way, and the flank of our regiment being turned, the four left companies fell back, and as our right flank also became exposed to the enemy, the remaining companies were also ordered to retire to the second line of works, which was done. At that time, all of our field officers being wounded, I, being the senior captain, took command of the regiment, and a charge was ordered to recover our first position. In the charge all of our color guard, consisting of 1 sergeant and 8 corporals were shot down, and the night being so dark it was not perceived that our colors, which had been shot to shreds, were missing. An attempt was made to regain the colors, which was unsuccessful. The regiment was ordered to retire by Col. Strickland, commanding brigade at about midnight.

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64th Ohio soldier writes about Franklin battle

Note: the 64th Ohio (at Franklin) was part of Wagners Division, 3rd Brigade (Col. Joseph Conrad), Stanleys 4th Corps. Sarah V. Elder Dicken Papers Transcripts of Correspondence, September December 1864 MS-997 Camp Near Columbia Tenn December 21st/64 Mr L. Cessna Dear Sir with my wife requested I shal tri to drop you a few lines too let you know that I am well & feel prety well on this campagne that is in progress at this present time & with the ide of Jeneral Hoods retreate towards the tennasee river well now there I shal tri too tell you a litle of our retrie from Pulaki too Nashville Tenn we had a prety good road too gow on that was some thing shre they mad us make quick time of it we travelled a bout 20 or 25 miles prday the distents between Nash & Pulaki was 75 miles we got a long as far as too spring hill firste till the Johneys trid too flank us there we had a quite a dandy old fight there with the mounted infantry the rather flanked us they on the a count of there haven about 6 too wone of us then dooring the knight we fell back too Franklin there we had another trille of it that is a trile that proved a perfect slater too the Johnneys all though we had a good maney of our very bravest boys killed then we had old Peter Sarge killed thare & a great maney others killed that well this ends this. then we lit out for Nashville then we went in too camp there for a few days & all this time the Johnneys tride too get in their town thru old Jeneral Hood told these men that if they would take the sity that he would dress them all in the darnd Yankeys clothe that is all officers uniforms there four they fought like tiger but Jeneral Thomas took them on the flank which did knot aggee with ther system. the fight commenced on our write flank on the morning of the 18 & we flanked theme out of there works on that side the uncore while our lines war 7 mils long there four we had 2 days prety hard fighting sow hard that the first to charge that we made on the firste day we gave back for a bout 1 hour thin hour darkess made a desperate charge on there lefte of them we wated in & gobleed a bout 5 thousand of them then they began too lite out of there hideing plases & know we have bin after them for a few days & have bin taken prisners every day untill too day But our cavlery is after there prety keen in all of the prisners that we had taken will amount too a bout 12 or 15 thousand But I cannot tell anything to the the sertenty a bout that for (-) have the papers thare & they can tell you the beste a Bout that therfour I will leave that subject with them & You too get a long with as well as you can well as for a chap too tell you a bout those 3 battles I was in them all But wone & than wone was at franklin the wreason that I was knot in that Batle was this I was on guard the knight befour at spring hill & the regment left me in the rear too guard them too Franklen the teemes there I got threw before the fight commenced there four you can see that I was knot in too it but they all said that was the hardest fight of the 3. I was a litle sorrow that I was knot their But I looked on & wished our men well & I think that it was granted by the old gentleman that is a looking on with a long eye & says gow in yankeys the day is hours, yet all though the time of retreite that we just have ben a gowing there befour we gained the day over Jeneral Hood I thing that he is a litle demoralised I think that if thay would chase us like we have chaste them I think that but little fighitng they would get out of those yankeys of this department well I think that this will suffice for the firste leter knot knowing the sircumstances of your sittuation I think that I will half too close all though perhaps I did knot give you but little satisfaction about hour march & times that we have had all though I think that I could give you a prety good histry of it Bt time will not admitt it I will do bete the next time thus I will close I hope that those few

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lines will knot demoralise you sow that you will knot forget too write too me then I will close hoping too hear from you all soon but tell Tip too drop a line too me this is all \r & parley done write soon I Still remain yours as ever JH Dicken Directions & inspections Co Your letters too Co A 64 Ohio OVI 3 Brigade 2 Division Harney Corps VIA Nashville Tennessee At the time of the Civil War Joshua Dicken served initially with the 3 month service of Co.H, 21st Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Then in Sept. 1861 he joined Co.K, 49th O.V.I, (being discharged on disability the following year). He was later drafted at the age of 26 on Sept. 29, 1864 for 1 year service with Co.A, 64th O.V.I.

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Letter of John R. Miller (Union), detailing Battle of Franklin

Nashville, Tenn Dec 4th, 1864 Dear Father, I have not written to you since I was at Chattanooga but we have been run about so that I have scarecly had time. I have not had a letter from home since we left Decatur, GA and I am anxious to hear from you. I received the articles you sent me by Busley, I was glad to get them and thank you for sending them. We had a pretty hard time for a few days. We were at Columbia about 8 or 10 days. At the time the rebels advanced on that place. Our regt was laying onDuck River guarding the fords. Six companies under Col. McQuiston were at Williamsport and 4 companies B C and G and our company under Col. Walterwere at Gordons ferry 4 miles farther down the regt., while the 91st Ind., was at a point farther down the river. When our army fell back to Franklin, we were cut off from it. The army evacuated Columbia in the morning and we did not receive notice of it till 12 oclock that night, we immediately started. We marched till day light when we halted about 30 minutes for breakfast and then resumed the marched, we marched all day and in the evening found we were cut off from our army and in the rear of Hoods army. We marched around the rear of the rebels, passing within 2 miles of their camp fires and stopped past his flank. All this time they were fighting hard at Franklin, had they not been we could not possibly have escaped. About 10 oclock that night we reached the Big Harpeth river and were safe. We marched 47 miles that day. The next day we came to Nashville. It was reported and believed here that we were captured. I suppose you have read at home that we were. That day I had more expectations of being in some southern prison by this time. We are laying in the trenches here expecting an attack at any moment. We have got to fight here and fight hard. I hope they will at any rate, for I would fight them here than any place else. We have got to fight them sometime and I would just as big to it now as any other time, and rather do it here than any where else. They are fighting on our right today, I do not know how the fight is going. I am as well and stout as ever and expect to remain so. Newt & Billy Matkin & Tom Anderson are all well. You need not look for me home this winter, as I have not the least idea of being able to get a furlough, as long as the fighting continues. John R. Miller Source

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Letter to widow of CSA soldier killed at Franklin

Letter of Condolence to widow of M. A. Dunn John C. Wilkinson, 33rd Miss, Company K, Amite Defenders Hamburg, Edgefield District, S.C. February 15, 1865 Mrs. M.A. Dunn, My Dear Friend, I seat myself with a heart filed with sorrow to pen you a few lines to let you know that I do truly mourn and sympathize with you on account of you great irreparable loss. On the 22nd____, I received the sad and heartrending intelligence that Mr. M. A. Dunn and L.L. Anderson of my mess and seven others of our Co. were killed at the Battle of Franklin, Tennessee on the 30th of November 1864. Mr. Dunn and I were only slightly acquainted when our Co. organized, but before leaving our beloved homes, we agreed to be members of the same family in Camp and drew our first rations together and continued so until I was wounded in May last. And to me, he proved to be a true friend under all circumstances, in sickness, in health, in trials, and under all the hardships we had to undergo, he was always a patient and cheerful friend. I am incompetent to write a eulogy upon such a character, and will only say to you that M. A. Dunn was free from the influence of the many vices and evils so common in Camp which entice so many from the path of rectitude. But did by a well ordered walk and godly conversation make manifest to his comrades that he was a devoted Christian, true gentleman and patriotic soldier. Being kind and obliging, he enjoyed the good will and confidence of all who had the pleasure of being acquainted with him. By this sad bereavement of Co. lost one of its first members, Amite County a good citizen, Ebenezar a worthy member, and you and your dear little ones, a kind and dearly beloved husband and father. Dear Friend, though I join you in shedding a tear of grief, let us not mourn as those who are without hope, for we feel assured that our loss is his Eternal gain, that his freed spirit is now singing praises to our Blessed Savior in the Paradis above where all is joy and peace. O, that we could truly adopt the language of Paul under this heavy affliction And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Then, how consoling would be the language of our Saviour, Let not your heart be troubled. Ye believe in God believe also in me. In my Fathers house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto myself, that where I am there you may be also. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you, not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. For because I live, ye shall live also. Then, my afflicted Sister, be admonished by the poorest of the poor to look to the fountain whence cometh all our help and strength; Jesus alone can comfort you in all your trails.

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For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, his ears are open unto their prayers. We have the promise of the comforter, and Paul says, Likewise, the spirit also helpeth our infirmities for we know not what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groaning which cannot be uttered. And to give us full assurance, our Blessed savior informs us that He maketh intercession for the Saints, that according to the will of God. And so, there remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God, and we have so many sweet and precious promises. Let us therefore come boldly into the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in each time of need. I know that the ties of nature are such that you cannot refrain from weeping and though your dear husband cannot return to you, yet you have hope that you may go where he is, and join him in singing a song of deliverance. And may God on tender mercy remember you and your dear Little Ones. May He lead, rule, guide, and direct you safely through this life, giving you that sweet consolation which He alone can give. And finally, through the merits of his dear Son, crown you His (with your dear husband) in his kingdom above where God will wipe away all tears from your eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither shall there be any more pain, but where all is Joy and Peace is the desire of one who wished you well. You have no doubt seen a list of the killed, wounded and missing at the Battle of Franklin, Tenn. on the 30th November 1864. And many more mush have fallen at the Battle of Nashville on the 15th of December from which I have no news from my company. When I left Camp I left six messmates whom I loved, four of them, J.P. and C.C. Lea, L.L Anderson, and M. A. Dunn have poured out their lifes blood in defense of their country. R.S. Capell is severely wounded and my dear son, W.H.W. reported captured. Truly, we have cause to mourn but I desire not to mourner. Not wishing to weary you with my imperfection, I close; when at the throne of grace, remember me and mine and believe me to be your friend in deep affliction. John C. Wilkinson
[Thanks to Michael N. Pittman MD, descendant of John Cain Wilkinson, for a copy of the letter.]

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Jan 1st 1865 letter The piratical banner of Secession no longer flies over Tennessee
Letter written by John A. Jackson January 1, 1865, addressed to General Thomas, reads in part: I feel that the thanks of every Union loving heart, are due to you this bright New Years morning, that the Stars & Stripes now float over Tennessee, instead of the piratical banner of Secession. I have never felt deeper interest in our cause, nor greater confidence that a triumph more signal, and glorious even than that before Nashville will soon crown the Union arms, and redeem our beloved South from the filthy pool of Secession in which she has been so long plunging and clad in clean Union garments she will soon forget the stained and dishonored rags which her leaders for a time have compelled her sons to wear! War is aterrible school in which we all share all suffer the innocent and the guilt but with you Genl to wield our armies I shall look soon for a peace a conquered peace. Source: Live Auctioneers online

63rd Indiana soldier (A.L. Ewing) remembers Franklin 25 years later

On November 30th, 1889 on the 25th anniversary of the Battle of Franklin Addison Lee Ewing notates the anniversary in his 1889 diary for that day. This would seemingly be uninteresting except for this fact. He does not refer to any other battle or engagement he was involved with in the Civil War except Franklin twenty-five years after the battle. The experience at Franklin (30 November 1864) must have been a seminal experience in the mind of Ewing. In his diary for 1888-1889 he did not mention any of the other battle-anniversaries he could have like: Resaca, Lost Mountain, Kennesaw Mountain, Atlanta or even Nashville.

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129th Illinois soldier writes about battle of Nashville and Hoods retreat
Raleigh, North Carolina, April 20, 1865, Nov. the 28 we was ordered to Nashville to defend the place against Rebel G. Hood. December 1 we got there and dug trenches 2 days and 1 night. Dec. the 4 & 5 considerable skirmishing. The 6 & 7 considerable firing on picket with a little fight. We lost several.the 15 Thomas went for them and it was a hard fight with a loss to the Rebs of 12 hundred prisoners 18 pieces of cannon 8 battle flags which we got. The 16th the fight gets harder our loss 1000 killed and wounded. Rebs loss 600 hundred killed & wounded. We captured 5000 prisoners 30 canon and several battle flags. The 17 Hood has left our front and skedaddled. Thomas after him. The 19 we was ordered to move we marched to Murfreesboro 2 days.went 9 miles the other side of Huntsville, Alabama the track being torn up. We had to march the rest of the way. The 27 we crossed the Tenn. River on transports and run the rebs out of Decatur . Our cavalry captured 4 canon then we started after Hoods pontoon train but hearing that he had made a crossing below we lay at Cortland a few daysApril the 3 we started for Goldsborough where Sherman laythe 10 we started for Raleighthe 13 encamped for to make peace for Johnston has promised to surrender the papers has been sent to Washington to be signed 129th Illinois Infantry, Co. I. Source: Nate Sanders auction

Col. Robert B. Young, 10th Texas Inf., killed at Franklin

White Oak, No Ca January 9, 1865 My Dear Son We have just received the sad fate of your poor Brother and our dear beloved Son, he was killed at Franklin Tennessee on the 30. November We felt anxious all the time about him ever since that dreadful Battle, but it had been so long since, we had hoped he had entirely escaped, but I feared him to hear from. The Adjutant of his regiment Mr. Willingham wrote to your Father. He was buried in Columbia Tenn with Gen Cleburne & Gen Granberry but taken up afterwards to Ashwood the Episcopal burying ground he was January the 10. 65 intered with Military honors. I suppose he was killed instantly he said there was nothing found on his body it was robbed he had his horse saddle bridle blankets it is hard rendering to relate but thought You would like to hear the last of Your poor Brother We have no more of the particulars God have mercy on his poor Soul I trust he is with his God singing praises to him, ever more done with all this horrible Warfare resting in everlasting peace with his God not ours Gods will be done but I would give anything on earth had I it to have him back Sound in body & mind, he was a noble man refined in all his manners, loved by all who knew him never had an enemy an affectionate and dutiful Son I have prayed night and day for our noble Sons to be Spared to us & come through this cruel War without blemish

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You are the last Son of our little flock & I pray God he will let You remain with us to Comfort & cheer us in the evening of our days. You are the only one we have now to look to and for our welfare and happiness do for heavens sake take care of Yourself, Your Fathers health is not very good & he is so undecided what course to persue, he speaks of going through the country to Georgia to see after our home whether he can go back and make a crop this Year or not he has rented a house in Spartanburg but does not want to go there I believe to live. He could not rent land enough for his hands to work there and I dont think we can live here in security & contentment. Our furniture has arrived at last in Spartanburg & I will go down with your Father on tomorrow or next day to see after it. We would be so happy to see You, and You must come Soon. Your Grand Mother is in tolerable health Your Father sends much love to You says take care of Yourself. I pray God may ever be merciful to You and Shield You from all harm restore You to us in perfect health & safety Your Mother E. C. Young Do write often we have not received a letter from you since your arrival in Carolina I have written several times. Your Mother E. C. Young [Etowah Valley Historical Society - Cartersville, Georgia

Major of 24th Texas writes father of 10th Texas (son), announcing his death at Franklin
Wartime letter of Maj. William A Taylor, 24th Texas Dismounted Cavalry, To the father of the late Col. Robert B. Young, 10th Texas Infantry U. S. Military Prison Johnsons Island State of Ohio Feb 5, 1865 Dear Sir: I have just learned through Capt. Jones of the death of your son Lt. Col. Robt. B. Young. This sad new was not unexpected to me. I hope I am not intruding by writing this letter upon your sorrow, but my Dear sir, his death has brought sorrow to other than those of his immediate family; many will mourn his life and refuse to be comforted because he is not. It is true that in this melancholy event we see the hand of God and know that we must submit, but oh, how hard. I first knew him in Texas (Waco). We were close and intimate friends, in fact, he was my best friend and with you I grieve at his loss. In him you have lost a son, I more than a friend, a brother. Surely it may be said of him, that none knew him but to love him. I know that a more brave and gallant spirit never left this earth. My Texas home, if I should live to return, will not be home without him. His genial spirit, his uniform kindness, his sociability will be greatly missed in the friendly circle. Alas, who can fill his void? We have long been together, in the Army in the same brigade. I saw him last in front of his Regiment, gallantly leading it on, inspiring his men with his undaunted spirit and courage. He fell to rise no more upon the bloody field of Franklin. He died, where the brave die, at his post, and in the thickest of battle. None performed their duty in this war more cheerfully or nobly than he. His love and enthusiasm for our glorious cause influenced all around him. His patriotism was pure, his devotion to his country was deep and heartfelt. He was brave without vanity, generous to a fault, ambitious only as became a patriot, the soul of honor, a true soldier and a gentleman by nature. But

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Tis thus they go, one by one The leaders hail, like autumn frost Where Victory is won or lost. Accept my Dear Sir this poor tribute of respect to the missing of one, loved by yourself, no more than by one, who, to you unkown deeply feels and mourns his irreplacable loss. Thus believe me to be Sir Very Respectly Your Obdt. Svt

William A. Taylor Major 24th Regt. Tex Granburys Brigade Army of Tennessee To: Dr. R. M. Young Spartanburg, S. C. [Collection of Young Descendant, Jenece Wade of Dewey, Arizona] Source: http://members.aol.com/SMckay1234/Letters/Taylor.htm contributed by: Young Descendant, JENECE WADE, Dewey, Arizona

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Newly discovered letter from 63rd Indiana soldier details scene at Franklin after the battle
I recently attended the Civil War Show in Nashville and acquired several letters from a 63rd Indiana soldier named Addison Lee Ewing. Ewing was from Haubstat, Indiana and enlisted on 5/1/62, mustering in to Company C of the63rd Indiana Infantry with the rank of 1st Sergeant. He resigned on 4/6/65 due to disability. During his service he saw three promotions: 2nd Lt on 10/2/86, 1st Lt on 6/24/64, and finally to Captain on 10/1/64 (As of Co. I). He transferred from Company C to I on 11/6/64. The 63rd Indiana became part of the Army of the Ohio in December 1862, staying with that organization until February 1865 when it was assigned to the Department of North Carolina. The 63rd Indiana saw action at Second Bull Run, East Tennessee, Rocky Face Ridge and Resaca; Dallas, Lost Mountain, the Atlanta Campaign, and Hoods Tennessee campaign, including Franklin and Nashville. At Franklin (30 November 1864), the 63rd Indiana served on the far left Union flank with Israel N. Stiless brigade, along with the 120th and 128th Indiana regiments. These three Indiana regiments faced the onslaught of the Confederates under Scott and Featherston that fateful day.

Ive written extensively on these Indiana regiments previously on this blog. Hundreds of Confederate soldiers from Alabama and Mississippi lost their lives trying to breach the Union left flank near the Nashville-Decatur Railroad as it buttressed up against the Harpeth River. By the time of the Battle of Franklin, Addison Lee Ewing was Captain of Company I of the 63rd Indiana Infantry. Ill say more soon, but here is a partial transcript of the letter Lee wrote to his wife on December 22nd, from Nashville (1864). . . . Day before yesterday [would have been the Dec 20th], we was up at Franklin where there are hundreds of new made graves filled by the enemy. I went up into the old Breastworks where we lay and all over the front of our Brigade which is pretty well doted with rebble graves at our place there is 14 of Co. K of Miss[issippi] laying in a row. I see one grave marked Lt. J.P. See(sic), 55th Tenn. [This was J.P. Seed]. There are horses laying around almost on our works . . . .

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63rd VA infantry soldier writes about Franklin, post-battle

While in camp at Tupelo, Mississippi, 2nd Lt. Samuel Robinson , Co. G/I, 63rd Virginia Infantry, wrote home to his wife Lydia in Virginia Tupelo, Mississippi January 15, 1865 We have been marching and fighting all of the time on the 30 day of November we had the hardest little fight that has bin during this campaign but we was too hard for them. We drove them out of their works but our loss was heavy. It is reported to be thirty eight hundred kiled and wounded and I hant any dout but it is true for I want over the battle field the next morning and it was the turiblest sight that my eye ever beheld. The men lay piled and crossed upon each other where or men charged them. I think that we had about 3 to the yankeys one kiled. This fight took place at franklin. Tennessee and we run them on to Nashville where we skirmished with them several days when our Brigade was ordered to murfreesborough, we reached there on the 6 day of December and in the 7 we had a faight there with the yankeys but they was too many for us. We had several kiled and wounded our colonel was shot through the arme and was left in the hands of the enemy. They was one of my Co. that was left there but I dont know whether he was kiled or captured and we fell back some three or four miles and took appsition so as to keep them from reinforcing at Nashville and on the 15 and 16 was a big fight on the night of the 16 Janeral hood commenced retreating from Nashville with a heavy loss and we have retreated some too hundred miles through the wet and cold mud half leg deep and a great many of the men was entirely barfotted and almost naked. The men marched over the frozen ground till their feet was worn out till they could be tracked by the blood and some of them there feet was frosted and swolen till they bursted till they could not stand on their feet now this is what I saw my self and our Brigade left back with Jeneral Forrest Caveraly to Lilbourne Blevins, Co. C, 63RD Virginia Bring up and cover they retreat which left us in danger of being Infantry captured at any time but we got out safe or the mos of them, we had to stop and fight them most every day. On the 25 of the month which was Christmas day we pased through the town that is called Pulaski and we crossed the river and the caveraly aim to burn the bridge but the yankees run up and drove our men away about too oclock they overtaken us and we form a line of battle and they came up and we let loose a volley at they which turned them and we charged after them and captured several horses all one brass pees of artillery and that given them a sear till was not pestered with them any till we reached Tennessee River and we crossed over where we joined the rest of the army, or what got out. They was at least one third of the men left in Tenn kiled wounded and captured. So I will stop writing for this time. I am truly thankful that I am spared with they has so many hundred yeas thoughsands killed by and round me and I have yet escaped. Source: http://barrsbattery.tripod.com/id4.html

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117th Illinois soldier writes about post-Franklin

I recently acquired a letter written by a 117th Illinois Infantry soldier named Thomas A. Whitesides. It is dated Nashville, Tenn., December 6th, 1864. He wrote this letter to his wife who was living in Belleville, Illinois. This letter was written just six days after the Battle of Franklin (30 November 1864). Thomas A. Whitesides enlisted August 12, 1862 as a Corporal. On September 19, 1862, he mustered into Company H of the 117th Illinois Infantry at Camp Butler in Springfield, Illinois. He mustered out on August 5th, 1865, having served nearly three years in the service for the Union. Whitesides would have seen action with the 117th in places like Vicksburg (summer 1863); western Tennessee chasing after Nathan Bedford Forrests cavalry (Dec 1863); the Red River expedition and the Battle of Pleasant Hill (Feb 1864); and the Battle of Nashville (Dec 15-16th, 1864). ******************************************* Nashville, Tenn Dec 6th, 1864 Dear wife, I seat myself to fulfill my promise in my last [letter]. I told you I would write the first opportunity. Thies [sic] few lines leave us well and I hope to find all of you the same. We have moved our position to the left and thrown up breastworks waiting an attack. Skirmishing is kept us all the while night and day by the picket. Shelling is quite common all along the line. I suppose hood [CSA Gen. John Bell Hood] is going to seige us out of here as he dont advance only at night. They have thrown up [breast] works every night and still getting closer. Their line and ours are one mile of each other. Hood sent a flag of truce [end page one] yesterday wanting to exchange prisoners that were taken in the late battle [Franklin: 30 Nov 1864]. I suppose he is short of supplies and dont wish to feed men that are not fighting for him. The prisoners say they dont get fourth rations and if they dont take this place before long they will be without any as they are so far from base of supplies and no railroad to ship on. It is rumored round camp that Rosecrans is commencing with reinforcements for us. I dont credit the report though I would like for some good General to get in the rear of them and close in so they would have to get up and dust. I see in yesterdays paper that Sherman had got through to the coast. I would be pleased to know he had released our prisoners at Antietam [probably means Andersonville]. [end page two] I hear that Don Morrison has gone to France as he couldnt stand for the Stars and Stripes to float over him. Olive, I have been tempted to ask a favor of you for some time past and I fear you will not be so free to grant it. I will make all fair promises imaginable. I wish your photograph. I will pray for a half dozen and I promise to return it if you should call for it. Tell me at once if I can have it. I must close for present. I remain as ever your affectionate friend, Thomas Whiteside PS Our Co [Company] is on picket tonight. I guess we may have a good time with the Rebs.

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Prominent Franklin resident Royce prosecutes claim for loss of home during the Civil War
Franklin (TN) August 28, 1865 David Campbell Esquire Dear Sir, I neglected to speak to you yesterday in regard to prosecuting a claim for damages for my wifes property which was destroyed by the Federal army under General Granger. I will therefore make a brief statement of the facts in the case and would like to be advised what steps are necessary to be taken in the matter. The house where we formerly lived was deeded by me and W. S. McLemore (the former trustee for my wife) to myself as trustee for my wife and children some two years before the war The deed was drawn by John Marshall and I had a perfect night to make the deed as I had sufficient property outside of that to meet all my debts and have a surplus. At the time my wife was ordered out of the lines she informed the authorities that the house was her property and she delivered the key to General Grangers Adjutant notifying him that she should hold him responsible for its safe keeping. She had never been required to take the oath of allegiance and of course had never refused [end page one] to take it. She had never been charged with doing any act prejudicial to the U.S. Army and as a matter of fact had done no such act. She had not been off her lot for three months previous to her being sent away, except twice, and no one was with her in the house except my two little girls, one eight and the other six years old. You are aware how the house was destroyed after she left, being hauled away by government wagons to the fort for the purpose of making barracks for soldiers. I estimate the damage to the property at five thousand dollars ($5,000) as I am satisfied it could not be restored for anything less than that amount. If there us any reasonable prospect of obtaining damages I wish to have steps taken immediately to prosecute the claim, and would like to be furnished with papers in proper form if it is necessary for me to certify to any such. All the facts stated here can be proven by witnesses now in Franklin. I am yours very truly, M.S. Royce

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William Candace Thompson, 6th MS, writes of the action . . .

The 6th MS was part of Adamss Brigade, which has 43 known dead buried at McGavock. The 6th MS has 3 known buried dead at McGavock. During the movement of this division the Federals had a battery planted on the right of Harpeth River that we could not reach, dealt great destruction to our forces, using grape and canister shot to great effect. Mowing down the Confederate troop, killing and wounding by the thousands, at the same time suffering from the galling fire from the Federal troop entrenched in front. I saw on the battlefield men lying in piles three deep, dead and wounded.

-The Civil War Years Revealed Through Letters, Diaries & Memoirs. Warwick, p. 57.

Gen Featherstons Mississippi boys (Lorings Division) faced horrible artillery fire
Featherstons C.S.A. Brigade has 68 boys known buried at McGavock Cemetery Near the Harpeth River, Major General William Lorings troops could begin to see the looming Federal line protecting Reillys division. Bufords dismounted troopers and Brigadier General Winfield Featherstons Mississippians advanced between the river and the Lewisburg Pike, their line bisected by the Central Alabama Railroad. To their left, the Alabamians of Brigadier General Thomas Scotts brigade had fallen behind as they guided on the pike, the enemy artillery in Fort Granger contesting their advance. Suddenly, at a range of two hundred yards, the Federal artillery supporting Reillys line exploded, followed quickly by riflery from Israel Stiles and James Casements brigades, six regiments of battle-tested Indianans. In a blinding flash, the Confederate battle line shivered as Federal iron tore trough the rebel front. Of the carnage, one Confederate survivor remembered, Our troops were killed by whole platoons; our front line of battle seemed to have been cut down by the first discharge, for in many places they were lying in their faces in almost as good order as if they had lain down on purpose. Featherstons boys recoiled from the impact then pressed for war, but fifty feet from the Yankee line they ran into the impenetrable hedge of osage. Grown to a stinging thickness by the locals to control cattle, the hedge line now provided a perfect barrier against the rebel assault, too high to surmount and too dense to winnow. The Mississippians came to a halt, searching frantically for a way through the natural abatis. As they did, they became little more than sitting ducks for the Indianans across the way. Only near the opening at the pike were the Yankees slightly tested. A pitifully small set of survivors planted two Mississippi flags on the earthworks, but they were almost immediately killed or captured. One survivor described it as a tremendous deluge of shot and shell . . . seconded by a murderous sheet of fire and lead from the infantry behind the works, and also another battery of six guns directly in our front. It was, he said, a scene of carnage and destruction fearful to behold. Featherstons right-most regiments crawled along the ground trying to find another way through the obstructions, but when they curled into the railroad cut marking Stiles left, the 120th Indiana plastered their van with musketry. Farther north, Battery M, 4th U.S. Artillery, began to spray the cut with canister, while Cockerills gunners in Fort Granger added their own plunging fire. Even a battery east across the Harpeth weighed in. Caught in the maelstrom

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were Bufords troopers, belly down on the banks of the Harpeth trying to escape the murderous sweep. - Patrick Brennan, The Battle of Franklin, North & South magazine, January 2005, Vol. 8., No.1: pages 39-40.

December 5, 1864 . . . . bold affair at Franklin

Source: eBay, June 2007 Kingston NC December 5 1864 My Dear Lizzie, [In part.....] I receive a letter last week from Joab dated 25th November; he was well and in comfortable winter quarters. He still desires a transfer to our Co. and I have today fixt up some transfer papers and sent them up to him. He will forward them up through the proper channel, but I have but little hope they will be approved. I dont know indeed whether Joab will want to come here when he finds that Will intends leaving the Regt. Will says he going to tender his resignation l as he is returned to duty and I think it highly probable that I will have to ask to be retired or resigned one of the two. I am pronounced unable for active service in the field by our Surgeons and I suppose I will have no difficulty in getting out, but I will try it a while longer, and I do not improve I will seek and easier birth. We will try to get Joab here however and in case Will and I both leave we will try to get him out too, if he desires it. Will is having a good time. Nothing to do and no responsibility. He is engaged today in making a pot of soap and a barrel of ..beer. I cant tell hoe he will su but I guess Very Well. Dr Lyle came down Saturday last and stayed with us until this morning when he returned to Raleigh. The Boys were glad to see hem and I think much pleasured with his visit. He told us of the affair at Franklin before I received your letter. I was a bold affair that those fellows ought to have been killed, guess they will re and try it again. I fear trouble has just Commenced in that locality. I look for more trouble in , has yet beenShermans grand march thorough Georgia will develop more disloyalty in the mountain district than exists before. But I hope to the present gloom will soon be dispelled by Shermans defeat. We have nothing reliable from Sherman. Cant tell what they are doing in Georgia but my opinion is Sherman will plant himself in Savannah before Christmas and in that even what will be the result is a question of time. I will not venture any prediction as to what will be the end of our troubles. My kindest regards to all, God Bless you, goodbye John Written by JB Cunningham (from Macon NC) a commissioned officer with the 6th & 7th (65th regiment) North Carolina Calvary. Joab Moore (from Macon NC) a Srgt with the North Carolina 16th infantry

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33rd MS., surgeon writes about Franklin aftermath

Surgeon W.B. Wall (C.S.A.) Army Tenn., Dec. 13, 1864 My Dear Wife, I hope you have recvd. some of the letters I have written lately as in them I gave you all the news from your relatives. They were well. No letter from you yet of later date than Oct. 21st. The time seems very long to me. It snowed here about a week ago. It is still upon the ground. The weather has been quite cold the thermometer standing from 12 to 15 degrees below zero. You would probably like to know how I am situated. Well, Dr. Phillips & myself took possession of a negro cabin that was nearly filled with corn. This we had thrown in the loft to the back of the cabin leaving us about half the room. It is well pointed & has an excellent fire place. We have some boxes & broken chairs to sit on so you see we are doing finely. At night we put down hay & spread our blankets on that for sleeping. We get plenty fat beef to eat & have but little to do except make ourselves comfortable. I have had only one man to report to me sick this month & there wasnt much the matter with him. I dont know how the men out on the lines stand the cold as they do. They have no extra amount of clothing, but few blankets & scarce of wood they suffer with cold, but endure it without much complaint. The wind is blowing fiercely today. We are in camp four miles from Nashville. You will have probably killed hogs before you get this. Let me know how much you made. Will you have corn enough or have you bought more? Like all of us I know you are anxious to learn what the army is doing & what it will do next. Well all I can tell you is we have dug trenches & are lying in them hoping the enemy will attack us. I have no thought we will attack them at Nashville and as to what we will do next I can give you no intimation for I have not the least knowledge of Gen. Hoods intentions. Now, when will the war end? This is a hard question & one I am entirely unable to answer. I have no thought it will ever end in our subjugation. It makes me sad to think of being separated from you so much & so long, but I hope before a great while to be where you can at least visit me occasionally. Dont allow yourself to become despondent but try to keep cheerful looking forward to a better day. Tell Laura and Mannie not to forget Papa. Hug & kiss them for me. Much love to Mrs. Oliver. I feel under deep & lasting obligations to her for her kindness to you & the children. Tell all the servants howdy & tell them to take care of the stock & not let it stray off or starve. I hope next year if the war continues to be where I can come home more frequently. I dont wish to quit the service if I can remain in it & give home the necessary attention. I wrote you that Frank Robinson [probably was C. Franklin Robertson] was killed on the [Nov.] 30th at Franklin & Lt. Brown had his arm broken. Your devoted Husband, W.B. Wall

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Allison Lee Ewing, 63rd Indiana Infantry

Dec 22nd, 1864 My Dear Mary, On the 16th the morning after the great rebel skedaddle I recd yours Mothers and Fathers letters of the 9th and 12th & this is the first chance I have had to write _____ a few words to Mother. Since I suppose you would like to hear all about the battle but it was so esctinsive [sic], so grand that my pen would fail to describe it. Our Brigade was in reserve up on one of the highest hills where we had a good view of the battle. I was not under fire at any time except one shell that sailed high above our heads. Our whole Division being held in reserve but was not needed. You have no doubt herde [sic] the results of the battle through the papers before this. Day before yesterday we was at Franklin where there are hundreds of new made graves filled by the Enemy. I went up into the old breastworks where we lay & all over the front of our Brigade which is pretty well over dotted with rebble graves, at one place there is 14 of Co. K 14th Miss laying in a row. I see one grave marked Lieut J.P. See 55th Tenn. There are dead horses laying around unburied. Some of them almost up over our old works, But that battle is seldom mentioned & the battle at Nashville which a person would think would be the [camp?] gossip is [aging?] away. Catching a fat hog or sheep is of more interest now than battles that is fast & dangers over. But I am really surprised at the results. I didnt think we could accomplish so much. Heaven I believe is favoring us that we will finally succeed in outting down the Rebellion. We get plenty of wood now, but the weather has been quite winterish for a few days. [next page] Yesterday all day I had to use parched corn for bread. The trains got blockaded at a creek where the bridge gave way so that our Company could not get up. By the way, are you in need of the money for the coat and things [3-4 illegible words along a crease] . . me how much have you got left. We will probably be [laid?] the first of Jany some time when I can send it all together. The last few days we were at Nashville there was orders against going to the City & I was on Picket one day. Came off the morning we left. It didnt ____ for me to go to town [next two lines along crease are barely legible, proposed transcript in italics] . . . no how --- ---- too much money for biscuits, cakes, pies, candies, sugars & sometimes, 2 glasses of beer for 25 cts. Other things in proportion [?] Cheese 60 cts pound, a loaf of soft bread size of ______ gist 10 cts. Well write soon. This leaves me as I hope it may find you all in good health. Thank God. Lee Headquarters Co. I, 35 miles south of Nashville Tenn

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Soldiers CDVs and images

Capt Russ B. Davis, 10th Tennessee Cavalry (U.S.)
Residence was not listed; Enlisted on 2/25/1864 as a Captain. On 2/25/1864 he was commissioned into F Co. TN 10th Cavalry He was Mustered Out on 8/1/1865 Sources used by Historical Data Systems, Inc.: 10th Tennessee Cavalry History Tenth Cavalry. Lieut.-Cols., George W. Bridges, James T. Abernathy; Majs., John Parr, John Elliott, William P. Story, Sterling Hambright. The organization of this regiment was begun at Nashville under the supervision of Col. Bridges. Cos. A, B, C, D, E, H and I were organized during the fall of 1863 and in the winter of 1864, and after having been organized into a regiment were attached to the command of Col. George Spalding, 2nd brigade, 4th division of cavalry. During the summer and fall of 1864 it was engaged in arduous duty in Tennessee. About the close of the year it was sent to northern Alabama to watch the move meets of Hoods army, and had an engagement with a largely superior force at Florence. Overpowered by numbers it was compelled to fall back to Nashville, where it was transferred to Gen. Hatchs command and participated in the numerous engagements attending Hoods raid into Tennessee. On the first days battle before Nashville it lost 70 officers and men. The leader, Maj. Story, was badly wounded, and the command devolved upon Maj. Abernathy. At the close of the campaign the regiment was sent to New Orleans, where it remained until June 10, 1865. Cos. F and G were not organized until Feb., 1865. Co. K was organized in June, 1865. Co. L was never fully organized. It numbered 51 men, and was stationed as a guard on the Nashville & Northwestern railroad. Sixty-three men comprising Co. M were mustered into service in Oct. 1864, under William H. Tampton as first lieutenant. They served during the campaign against Hood as provost guard and escort company. Co. A was detached from its regiment on April 26, 1864, and assigned to duty at Springfield, Tenn., where it remained until August, after which it was with Gen. Gillem in his campaign in East Tennessee. The regiment was mustered out Aug. 1, 1865, in accordance with orders from the war department.

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Captured soldiers at Franklin escape death

Some Confederates managed to survive the bloodbath at Franklin being captured. The two soldiers on the left prisoners of war casualties at Franklin. L/R are Charles H. Bailey (49th TN), Edmond R. Read (49th TN), and Charles D. Shanklin (23rd TN, did not fight at Franklin).

The 49th TN had 129 effective fighting men at Franklin. 20 were killed, 36 wounded and 36 were missing (either killed or captured). At least eight identified 49th boys rest in McGavock. The 49th TN was part of Quarles Brigade. Picture credit: Portraits of Conflict: A Photographic History of Tennessee in the Civil War, McCaslin, 2007: p. 242.

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Two young Tennessee boys going off to war

This ambrotype recently sold at an HA auction. They are probably Tennessee brothers or relatives, obviously very young. They each hold a M1816/22 musket. These kind of images were very typical as young men and boys enlisted and went off to fight in the Civil War. I wish we knew their names so we could better understand their story. Did they fight at Franklin? Nashville? Chattanooga? Chickamauga? Tullahoma? We will never know.

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48th TN (CSA) soldier misses Franklin but is captured at Nashville

This Sixth Plate Ruby Ambrotype is of Pvt. Thomas H. Chandlier, 48th Tennessee Infantry (CSA). It was recently sold at auction by HA. Chandliers unit missed the action at Franklin but he was captured at Nashville on December 15th, 1864.

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Todd Carter, 20th TN Infantry, mortally wounded at Franklin

Todd Carter March 24, 1840 December 2, 1864Todd Carter was returning home to his native Tennessee and native Williamson County with the Army of Tennessee in the fall of 1864, with his fellow soldiers in the 20th Tennessee Infantry (C.S.A.). He was mortally wounded at the Battle of Franklin (30 November 1864) on the very land his father owned. He was carried from the field and died on December 2, 1864.

Image credit: The Williamson County Historical Society Todd Carter Home at Last I am almost home! Come with me, boys! They could hear Tod shout above the noise Of the cannons boom , and shreiking shells, The exploding bombs, and Rebel yells! The Battle rages until near midnight; The women prayed. By dawns faint light They found him lying among the dead; He was wounded in the charge he led. He was carried through the garden gate, While they sobbed in words, compassionate, Our sad hearts ached as the long years passed, Now our brother has come home at last! Written by a descendant of Todd Carter, Dr. Roslie Carter.

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Col. Ellison Capers, officer with 24th South Carolina, served at Franklin
This is the overcoat worn by Col. Ellison Capers, of the 24th South Carolina, Gists Brigade, Browns Division. Fifteen (15) 24th SC boys are buried at McGavock Cemetery.

Picture credit: Arms and Equipment of the Confederacy (p. 150).

Regarding action Capers and the 24th saw at Franklin, Jacobson writes: From the west side of the Columbia Turnpike, the sights of the artillery fire smashing into A.P. Stewarts men was unforgettable. Everywhere the sights were incredible, almost breathtaking. Col. Ellison Capers was in the 24th South Carolina west of the pike and his regiment, part of States Rights Gists Brigade, was on John Browns left flank. Some distance in advance and to the left of the South Carolinians stood magnificent Everbright mansion, home to the widowed Rebecca Bostick. But it was what Col. Capers saw to his right that he never forgot. At Capers and his fellow Palmetto Staters began to crest the rising terrain around Privet Knob, the ground stretching from the Columbia Pike to the Lewisburg Pike opened up into view. Capers wrote that we beheld the magnificent spectacle the battle-field presented bands were

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playing, general and staff officers and gallant couriers were riding in front of and between the lines, 100 battle-flags were waving in the smoke of battle, and bursting shells were wreathing the air with great circles of smoke, while 20,000 brave men were marching in perfect order against the foe. Jacobson, For Cause and For Country: p. 278-279.

South Carolina head marker at McGavock.

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Joseph Henry Mitchell, 23rd MS, Company I, fought at Franklin

Joseph Henry Mitchell enlisted in the J.W. Thompson Invincibles in Company E of the 23rd MS Infantry. The picture below shows him in a brown uniform with black chest braids which may have been influenced by the Army of Mississippi regulations. He is holding a foot artillery sword and has a .44cal Colt Army revolver tucked into his belt, which is fastened with a US Army pattern 1834 general service clasp. Mitchell fought with the 23rd MS at Franklin, in Adamss Brigade. The 23rd saw action around the Cotton Gin at Franklin. He wouldve faced fire from two Union Brigades; Reillys and Casements. He survived Franklin, though some of his comrades were not as lucky.

Picture credit: The Confederate Army 1861-1865: South Carolina and Mississippi, p. 33.

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Pvt. Hugh Lawson Duncan, 39th GA, Cummings Brigade, Stevensons Division
The 39th Georgia Infantry was at Franklin alongside the 24th, 36th and 56th Georgia regiments. All members of Cummings Brigade, Stevensons Division. Duncan is listed as being from Walker County, GA at the time of his enlistment, March 4, 1862.

Picture credit: Arms and Equipment of the Confederacy, (p. 37, 139)

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44

Capt George V. Kelley of the 104th Ohio captured the colors of the 1st Alabama
When Quarles Brigade reached the Federal line on November 30th, it would not break. Many of the Confederates fell back and as they did several regiments lost their colors. Capt. George V. Kelley captured the colors of the 1st Alabama during the action. The Confederates would lose at least 20 colors at Franklin at the hands of the 23 Corps. Section 72 Alabama has six identified 1st AL soldiers buried here (plots #61-64, 66 and 73). Section 73 Alabama has seven identified buried (plots #81-88).

There are also 1st AL soldiers buried in Sections 75, 76. In total, there are 19 known 1st AL soldiers buried at McGavock. No doubt some of these men lost their lives as the colors were captured by the 104th Ohio and Captain Kelley.

Picture credit: Portraits of Conflict: A Photographic History of Tennessee in the Civil War, McCaslin, 2007: p. 241.

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William B. Douthat served with 12th TN Cav (U.S.), fought at Franklin

Residence was not listed; Enlisted as a 2nd Lieutenant (date unknown). Promotions: * 1st Lieut 5/6/1865 Intra Regimental Company Transfers: * from company C to company A He also had service in: C Co. TN 12th Cavalry Sources used by Historical Data Systems, Inc.: - Index to Compiled Military Service Records - Official Army Register of the Volunteer Force 1861-1865 - Photo courtesy of Tom Jones (c) Historical Data Systems, Inc. @ www.civilwardata.com Twelfth Cavalry. Col.,George Spalding Lieut.-Cols. Charles C. Huefling, John S. Kirwan, Maj s., Sater Boland, Jason A. Bradshaw James W. Spalding. This regiment was organized by companies, the first of which was mustered into service Aug. 24, 1863. On Feb. 22, 1864, six companies had been mustered, and George Spalding was commissioned lieutenant-colonel. The regiment was then assigned to Gen. Gillems division and was placed on guard duty on the Nashville & Northwestern railroad, where it remained until April, 1864. During the remainder of the year the regiment was in active service almost continuously. It was one of the most efficient regiments in opposing Wheeler on his raid through Middle Tennessee and had several severe engagements with portions of his command. In the latter part of September it marched to contest the approach of Gen. Forrest, with whom it was several times engaged with considerable loss. It was also active in the campaign against Hood, participating in the battles at Lawrenceburg, Campbellsville, Spring Hill, Franklin and Nashville. From Nashville the regiment was in the advance in pursuit of Hood and fired the last shot at the enemy as he crossed the Tennessee River at Bainbridge. On Feb. 8, 1865, the regiment went into camp at Eastport, Miss., where it remained until May 11. It was then transferred from the 2nd to the 1st brigade under the command of Bvt. Brig-Gen. George Spalding, who had been commissioned colonel upon the completion of the regiment Aug. 16, 1864, and ordered to St. Louis. It was there remounted and refitted and sent to Fort Leavenworth, at which place, after having performed some escort and scout duty through northern Kansas and southern Nebraska, it was mustered out Oct. 7. It returned to Nashville and was there finally paid and discharged Oct. 24, 1865. Source: The Union Army, vol. 4, p. 387

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Twelfth Cavalry. Col.,George Spalding Lieut.-Cols. Charles C. Huefling, John S. Kirwan, Maj s., Sater Boland, Jason A. Bradshaw James W. Spalding. This regiment was organized by companies, the first of which was mustered into service Aug. 24, 1863. On Feb. 22, 1864, six companies had been mustered, and George Spalding was commissioned lieutenant-colonel. The regiment was then assigned to Gen. Gillems division and was placed on guard duty on the Nashville & Northwestern railroad, where it remained until April, 1864. During the remainder of the year the regiment was in active service almost continuously. It was one of the most efficient regiments in opposing Wheeler on his raid through Middle Tennessee and had several severe engagements with portions of his command. In the latter part of September it marched to contest the approach of Gen. Forrest, with whom it was several times engaged with considerable loss. It was also active in the campaign against Hood, participating in the battles at Lawrenceburg, Campbellsville, Spring Hill, Franklin and Nashville. From Nashville the regiment was in the advance in pursuit of Hood and fired the last shot at the enemy as he crossed the Tennessee River at Bainbridge. On Feb. 8, 1865, the regiment went into camp at Eastport, Miss., where it remained until May 11. It was then transferred from the 2nd to the 1st brigade under the command of Bvt. Brig-Gen. George Spalding, who had been commissioned colonel upon the completion of the regiment Aug. 16, 1864, and ordered to St. Louis. It was there remounted and refitted and sent to Fort Leavenworth, at which place, after having performed some escort and scout duty through northern Kansas and southern Nebraska, it was mustered out Oct. 7. It returned to Nashville and was there finally paid and discharged Oct. 24, 1865. Source: The Union Army, vol. 4, p. 387

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Many boys of the 14th MS viewed this flag as they went to their deaths at Franklin
The 14th MS fought with Adamss Brigade, Lorings Division. The 14th faced heavy casualties near the Cotton Gin. As the 14th MS assaulted the Union line at the Gin, the colors displayed a picture of Lady Liberty holding a picture of Jefferson Davis. The 14th also fought with: 6th, 15th, 20th, 23dand 43d Mississippi regiments. Many boys from the 14th MS are buried at McGavock. There are at least ten young men from the 14th MS buried at McGavock Cemetery.

I went up into the old breastworks where we lay &

Theres a fascinating story behind this all over the front of our Brigade which is pretty well particular emblem/patch see below. Color over dotted with rebble graves, at one place there Bearer Andrew S. Payne of the 14th Mississippi cut this emblem away from the is 14 of Co. K 14th Miss laying in a row. A.L. Ewing, rest of the flag when the 14th surrendered at 63rd Indiana Ft. Donelson and sewed the patch into the interior lining of his coat to keep it from falling into Federal hands. When Payne and his fellow comrades were paroled in October 1862 he returned the shield to his regiment.

Picture credit: An Illustrated History of the Civil War, (p. 136).

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The 15th Mississippi fought courageously at Franklin and suffered horrendous casualties
The 15th Mississippi was part of Gen Adams Brigade. This map shows the advance of Adams men on November 30, 1864 against the far left flank of the Union men defended by Casement and Stiles Brigades.

The assault of the Confederate men under Gen. Loring (Scott, Featherston and Adams) was extremely brutal and punishing for the Confederates. Besides the strategic positions maintained by Casement and Stiles against the railroad track, the 1st & 6th Ohio Battery guns were placed on a small hill behind Reillys Brigades and had a field-day pummeling the Loring men with grape and cannister. Many boys from Mississippi and Alabama lost their lives that evening and are now buried at McGavock Cemetery.

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The following boys from the 15th Mississippi (Adams Brigade) are identified as buried in McGavock Confederate Cemetery according to Jacobson. Section 22 #1 Col. Michael Farrell The final man bearing the flag of the 15th Mississippi was shot as he reached the top of the Yankee parapet and then pulled inside. Both he and the flag were captured. Lt. Thaddeus O. Donoghue of the 14th Mississippi was killed near the guns of the 6th Ohio Battery. Col. Michael Farrell of the 15th Mississippi was horribly wounded in both legs and lost his left to amputation. Farrell, a popular officer, did not have a single living relative nor did he have any money or own any property before enlisting. Those who knew him admired him and said he fought for principle and constitutional liberty. Col. Farrells injuries eventually led to his death on Christmas Day. For Cause and for Country, Jacobson, p. 362. Section 28 #105 Charles R. Hemphill Company I | View marker #107 Sgt. Elias P. Keeton Company K | View marker #108 Elisha N. McGuire Company K | View marker #109 Edward K. Harper Company G | View marker #111 Lt. John L. Greenhaw Company G | View marker #112 Lt. Thomas W. Allen Company E | View marker #113 Captain James T. Smith Company E | View marker Section 39 #270 Theodore A. Shillinger Company F | View marker Section 41 #291 Cpl. Joseph H. Reese Company F | View marker #300 William M. Lott Company E | View marker (see Jacobson, For Cause and Country, p. 361) Section 46 #370 Sgt. James P. Campbell Company H | View marker Section 47

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#377 John C. Williams Company C | View marker #378 Benjamin C. Gregory Company I | View marker

The Mississippi section at McGavock Confederate Cemetery

Miscellaneous info on the 15th Mississippi Crossing the river November 20, they marched with Stewarts Corps to Columbia and on November 29, joined in the flank movement to Spring Hill. Following closely upon the Federal retreat from Columbia to Spring Hill, they were heroic participants in the bloody assault of the evening of November 30. general Adams was killed while leading his men against the second line of works, his horse falling across the parapet. Col. Robert Lowry, who succeeded to brigade command, reported that the flag of the fifteenth regiment was lost, four men having been shot down in bearing it forward to the works. Colonel Farrell, a brilliant officer, was mortally wounded, and Lieut.-Col. Binford took command of the regiment. Lieutenants Young and Allen were killed; Lieuts. Shuler, Irish, Campell, Hale, Tribble, wounded. The casualties of the brigade were 44 killed, 271 wounded, 23 missing. The effective strength of the brigade after the advance to Nashville was a little over 1,000, including six regiments. The position of Stewarts Corps in front of Nashville was distinguished for steadiness in forming a new line to check the enemy and on the next day they repelled all assaults until the line broke over their left. In the last days of December they recrossed the Tennessee River and early in January the corps went into camp near Tupelo. http://www.choctawgrays.com/links.html

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The Armies Federal armies at Franklin 4th Corps (U.S.) Army of the Cumberland
Missionary Ridge; Orchard Knob; Dandridge; Dalton; Rocky Face Ridge; Resaca; Cassville; Adairsville; New Hope Church; Picketts Mills; Kenesaw Mountain; Smyrna Camp Ground; Vinings Station; Peach Tree Creek; Siege Of Atlanta; Jonesboro; Lovejoys Station; Spring Hill; Franklin; Nashville; Occupation Of Texas. This corps was composed of fighting regiments. Of the regiments in the Western armies, take the ones that sustained the greatest losses in battle, and it will be found that more of them were in the Fourth Corps than in any other. Although all of their fighting was not done while in the Fourth Corps, it was done either in it or in the two corps which were consolidated in order to form the Fourth. On October 9, 1863, the Fourth Corps was organized by the consolidation of the Twentieth (McCooks) and Twenty-first (Crittendens) Corps, in compliance with the Presidents order of September 28th. Though newly-formed, it was composed of veteran brigades whose battle flags were scarred with the marks of hard fought fields; within this new command they were destined to wave amid the smoke and fire of many more. The command of the Fourth Corps was given to General Gordon Granger, the man who marched his division to Chickamauga with no other orders or direction than the sound of the enemys cannon. The three divisions of this new corps were placed under the commands of Generals Palmer, Sheridan, and Wood. Soon after its organization the corps went into action at Missionary Ridge, where it distinguished itself by its brilliant and successful charge up the heights. In this battle the two divisions of Sheridan and Wood lost 280 killed, 2,078 wounded, and 12 missing; total, 2,370, or more than half the casualties at Missionary Ridge. The first division, under command of General Cruft, was also engaged. During the following winter the corps marched to the relief of Knoxville, a campaign memorable for the suffering, hunger, and hardships endured by the men. In May, 1864, it moved on the Atlanta campaign, General Howard commanding the corps, and Generals Stanley, Newton, and Wood the divisions. Its hardest fighting during that campaign occurred at Picketts Mills, and in the unsuccessful assault on Kenesaw Mountain. After the evacuation of Atlanta, the Fourth and Twenty-third Corps, underGeneral Thomas, marched northward to confront Hoods forces, while Sherman, with the main army, wended his way, unmolested, to the sea. General Stanley was then in command of the Fourth Corps, General Howard haying been promoted to the command of the Army of the Tennessee, upon the death of Mac Pherson; Kimball, Wagner, and Wood were in command of the divisions. On November 20, 1864, a few days before the battle of Spring Hill, the corps numbered 14,715 present for duty; about 2,200 more joined before the battle of Franklin. In that battle the Confederates received the bloodiest repulse of the war, their men fighting with unusual desperation, while twelve of their generals were killed or wounded in their unsuccessful attack on the Union intrenchments. At Franklin, Opdyckes Brigade of the Fourth Corps won special distinction by its promptness and gallantry in retaking a part of the works which the enemy had seized. General Stanley was severely wounded in this action, and General Thomas J. Wood succeeded to his place. General Wood had served with honor in the armies of the Ohio, and the Cumberland, from the commencement of the war. He commanded the Fourth Corps in its last battle its last victory, at Nashville. His division generals in that engagement were Kimball, Elliott, and Beatty; the casualties in the corps were 135 killed, 834 wounded and 22 missing; total, 991. The corps joined in the pursuit of Hoods defeated army, after which General Wood assembled it at Huntsville, Ala., arriving there January 5, 1865. On March 15th it moved into East Tennessee, in order to prevent the possible escape of Lees and Johnstons armies, returning in April to Nashville, where it remained until June 16th,

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when it was ordered to New Orleans, en route for Texas. Although the war had virtually ended, the Fourth Corps remained in Texas during the rest of 1865, forming a part of Sheridans Army of Occupation. The most of the regiments were, however, mustered out in December, 1865, in time for the men to spend Christmas in their homes.

23rd Corps (Union)

Lenoir; Blue Springs; Campbells Station; Knoxville; Mossy Creek; Dandridge; Walkers Ford; Strawberry Plains; Rocky Face Ridge; Resaca; Cassville; Dallas; Pine Mountain; Lost Mountain; Culps Farm; Kenesaw ; Chattahoochie; Decatur ; Siege Of Atlanta; Utoy Creek; Lovejoys Station; Columbia; Spring Hill; Franklin; Nashville; Fort Anderson, N. C.; Town Creek; Wilmington; Kinston; Goldsboro. General Burnside was assigned to the command of the Department of the Ohio in the spring of 1863, his district including Kentucky and East Tennessee. The Ninth Corps left Virginia at this time and was assigned to his command; but, having planned an active campaign in East Tennessee, and needing additional troops, he organized the Twenty-third Corps from the regiments then stationed in Kentucky. This new corps was formed April 27, 1863, with Major-General George L. Hartsuff in command. Generals Julius White and Milo S. Hascall were assigned to division commands. The proposed campaign in East Tennessee was postponed, as the Ninth Corps was ordered to Vicksburg, to reinforce Grants army; but in August, the Ninth Corps returned to Kentucky, and the advance of the Twenty-third commenced. The Second Division (Whites) made its rendezvous at New Market, from whence it marched on the 19th, arriving at Loudon, Tenn., on the 4th of September. General Longstreets Corps had been detached from Lees Army, and, in October, 1863, marched into East Tennessee to drive out Burnsides Army of the Ohio, as the united forces of the Ninth and Twenty-third Corps were then designated. The fighting was continuous, minor engagements occurring almost daily, and on November l6th a spirited battle occurred at Campbells Station, in which Whites Division was actively engaged. Burnside moved next to Knoxville, which place was invested and finally assaulted by Longstreet, but without success. At Campbells Station, and at Knoxville, the corps was commanded by General Mahlon D. Manson. In August, 1863, Mahans Brigade of Indiana troops was assigned to the Third Division. These regiments were recruited for six months service only, and returned to Indiana in February, 1864. They served in East Tennessee, and were present at Blue Springs and Walkers Ford. On the 4th of April, 1864, Major-General John M. Schofield was assigned to the corps, and he commanded it during the Atlanta campaign, which was the most eventful period of its existence. In the spring of 1864, Hoveys Division of Indiana troops, newly recruited, joined the corps at Charleston, Tenn., and was designated as the First Division. The Second Division was commanded by General Henry M. Judah, and the Third Division by General Jacob D. Cox, with which organization it started on the Atlanta campaign. But on June 6, 1864, the First Division was broken up and divided between the other two divisions. While on the Atlanta campaign, General Judah was succeeded by General Hascall in the command of the Second Division. The greatest loss of the corps during that campaign was sustained May 14, 1862, at the battle of Resaca. It also encountered some hard fighting near Kenesaw and at Utoy Creek. After the fall of Atlanta, and while Shermans Army was wending its way to the Sea, the Twenty-third Corps joined Thomas Army in the Tennessee campaign against Hood. The corps was still under the command of General Schofield, while the two divisions, Second and Third, were commanded, respectively, by Generals Ruger and Cox. These two divisions contained 30 regiments of infantry and 4 batteries of light artillery. Their returns for October 31, 1864,just before starting on the Tennessee campaignshow 10,624 officers and men present for duty. The corps was actively engaged at the battle of Franklin, but at Nashville it was largely held in reserve. In the latter action, Rugers (2d) Division was commanded by Major-General Darius N. Couch.

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In January, 1865, the corps moved from Nashville, via Washington, to North Carolina, Coxs Division landing at Fort Fisher, February 9, 1865. Moving up the river, the corps fought at Fort Anderson, and at Wilmington, February 21st, capturing the latter place. In the meantime, another division was formed, and designated as the First Division, with General Ruger in command. This division was actively engaged in the victory at Kinston, N. C. (Wises Forks), which resulted in the occupation of Goldsboro. General Cox succeeded Schofield, the latter having been promoted to the command of the Army of the Ohio, which, since the arrival of the Twenty-third Corps in North Carolina, comprised two corpsthe Tenth (Terrys) and Twenty-third. On the 10th of April, 1865, the Twenty-third Corps numbered 14,293 present for duty, and was composed of three divisions Rugers, Couchs, and Carters. It remained in North Carolina while Shermans Army, with which it had made a junction at Goldsboro, marched northward to Washington. The corps was discontinued on August 1, 1865, many of the regiments having been mustered out before that.

Union Order of Battle, Fourth and Twenty-Third Army Corps

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FOURTH ARMY CORPS. Brig. Gen. THOMAS J. WOOD. FIRST DIVISION. Brig. Gen. NATHAN KIMBALL. First Brigade. Col. ISAAC M. KIRBY. 21st Illinois, Capt. William H. Jamison. 38th Illinois, Capt. Andrew M. Pollard. 31st Indiana, Col. John T. Smith. 81st Indiana, Maj. Edward G. Mathey. 90th Ohio, Lient. Col. Samuel N. Yeoman. 101st Ohio, Lieut. Col. Bedan B. McDanald. Second Brigade. Brig. Gen. WALTER C. WHITAKER. 96th Illinois, Maj. George Hicks. 115th Illinois, Col. Jesse H. Moore. 35th Indiana, Lieut. Col. Augustus G. Tassin. 21st Kentucky, Lieut. Col. James C. Evans. 23d Kentucky, Lieut. Col. George W. Northup. 45th Ohio, Lieut. Col. John H. Humphrey. 51st Ohio, Lieut. Col. Charles H. Wood. Third Brigade. Brig. Gen. WILLIAM GROSE. 75th Illinois, Col. John E. Bennett. 80th Illinois, Capt. James Cunningham. 84th Illinois, Lieut. Col. Charles H. Morton. 9th Indiana, Col. Isaac C. B. Suman. 30th Indiana, Capt. Henry W. Lawton.

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36th Indiana (one company), Lieut. John P. Swisher. 84th Indiana, Maj. John C. Taylor. 77th Pennsylvania, Col. Thomas E. Rose. <ar93_91> SECOND DIVISION. Brig. Gen. WASHINGTON L. ELLIOTT. First Brigade. Col. EMERSON OPDYCKE. 36th Illinois, Maj. Levi P. Holden. 44th Illinois, Capt. Alonzo W. Clark. 73d Illinois, Capt. Wilson Burroughs. 74th Illinois, } Lieut. Col. George W. Smith. 88th Illinois, } 125th Ohio, Maj. Joseph Bruff. 24th Wisconsin, Capt. William Kennedy. Second Brigade. Col. JOHN Q. LANE. 100th Illinois, Lieut. Col. Charles M.Hammend. 40th Indiana, Lieut. Col. Henry Learning. 57th Indiana: Lieut. Col. Willis Blanch.(*) Maj. John S. McGraw. 28th Kentucky: Maj. George W. Barth. Lieut. Col. J. Rowan Boone. 26th Ohio, Capt. William Clark. 97th Ohio: Lieut. Col. Milton Barnes.(*) Capt. Clarkson C. Nichols.

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Third Brigade. Col. JOSEPH CONRAD. 42d Illinois, Lieut. Col. Edgar D. Swain. 51st Illinois, Capt. Albert M. Tilton. 79th Illinois, (+) Col. Allen Buckner. 15th Missouri, Capt. George Ernst. 64th Ohio, Lieut. Col. Robert C. Brown. 65th Ohio, Maj. Orlow Smith. THIRD DIVISION. Brig. Gen. SAMUEL BEATTY. First Brigade. Col. ABEL D. STREIGHT. 89th Illinois, Lieut. Col. William D. Williams. 51st Indiana, Capt. William W. Scearce. 8th Kansas, Lieut. Col. John Conover. 15th Ohio: Col. Frank Askew.(*) Lieut. Col. John McClenahan. 49th Ohio: Maj. Luther M. Strong.(*) Capt. Daniel Hartsough. Second Brigade. Col. P. SIDNEY POST.(*) Lieut. Col. ROBERT L. KIMBERLY. 59th Illinois, Maj. James M. Stookey. 41st Ohio: Lieut. Col. Robert L. Kimberly. Capt. Ezra Dunham.

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71st Ohio: Lieut. Col. James H. Hart.(*) Capt. William H. McClure. 93d Ohio, Lieut. Col. Daniel Bowman. 124th Ohio, Lieut. Col. James Pickands. Third Brigade. Col. FREDERICK KNEFLER. 79th Indiana, Lieut. Col. George W. Parker. 86th Indiana, Col. George F. Dick. 13th Ohio (four companies), Maj. Joseph T. Snider. 19th Ohio, Lieut. Col. Henry G. Stratton. ARTILLERY. Maj. WILBUR F. GOODSPEED. Indiana Light, 25th Battery, Capt. Frederick C. Sturm. Kentucky Light, 1st Battery, Capt. Theodore S. Thomasson. 1st Michigan Light, Battery E, Capt. Peter De Vries. 1st Ohio Light, Battery G, Capt. Alexander Marshall. Ohio Light, 6th Battery, Lieut. Aaron P. Baldwin. Pennsylvania Light, Battery B, Capt. Jacob Ziegler. 4th United States, Battery M, Lieut. Samuel Canby. <ar93_92> TWENTY-THIRD ARMY CORPS. Maj. Gen. JOHN M. SCHOFIELD. SECOND DIVISION. Maj. Gen. DARIUS N. COUCH. First Brigade. Brig. Gen. JOSEPH A. COOPER. 130th Indiana Col. Charles S. Parrish. 26th Kentucky, Col. Cicero Maxwell.

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25th Michigan, Capt. Samuel L. Demarest. 99th Ohio, Lieut. Col. John E. Cummins. 3d Tennessee, Col. William Cross. 6th Tennessee, Lieut. Col. Edward Maynard. Second Brigade. Col. ORLANDO H. MOORE. 107th Illinois, Capt. John W. Wood. 80th Indiana, Lieut. Col. Alfred D. Owen. 129th Indiana, Col. Charles A. Zollinger. 23d Michigan, Col. Oliver L. Spaulding. 111th Ohio, Lieut. Col. Isaac R. Sherwood. 118th Ohio, Maj. Edgar Sowers. Third Brigade. Col. JOHN MEHRINGER. 91st Indiana, Lieut. Col. Charles H. Butterfield. 123d Indiana, Col. John C. McQuiston. 50th Ohio, Lieut. Col. Hamilton S. Gillespie. 183d Ohio, Col. George W. Hoge. Artillery. Indiana Light, 15th Battery, Capt. Alonzo D. Harvey. Ohio Light, 19th Battery, Capt. Frank Wilson. THIRD DIVISION. Brig. Gen. JACOB D. Cox. First Brigade. Col. CHARLES C. DOOLITTLE. 12th Kentucky, Lieut. Col. Laurence H. Rousseau. 16th Kentucky, Capt. Jacob Miller. 100th Ohio, Lieut. Col. Edwin L. Hayes.

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104th Ohio, Col. Oscar W. Sterl. 8th Tennessee, Capt. James W. Berry. Second Brigade. Col. JOHN S. CASEMENT. 65th Illinois, Lieut. Col. W. Scott Stewart. 65th Indiana, Lieut. Col. John W. Hammond. 124th Indiana, Col. John M. Orr. 103d Ohio, Capt. Henry S. Pickands. 5th Tennessee, Lieut Col. Nathaniel Witt. Third Brigade. Col. ISRAEL N. STILES. 112th Illinois, Maj. Tristram T. Dow. 63d Indiana, Lieut. Col. Daniel Morris. 120th Indiana, Maj. John M. Barcus. 128th Indiana, Lieut. Col. Jasper Packard. Artillery. Indiana Light, 23d Battery, Lieut. Aaron A. Wilber. 1st Ohio Light, Battery D, Capt. Giles J. Cockerill Source: O.R.SERIES IVOLUME XLV/1 [S# 93] NOVEMBER 14, 1864-JANUARY 23, 1865.Campaign in North Alabama and Middle Tennessee. No. 6.Organization of the U.S. Forces, commanded by Maj. Gen. George H. Thomas, at the battle of Nashville, Tenn., December 15-16, 1864.

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Army of Tennessee
(The Tennessee Encyclopedia of History and Culture) The Army of Tennessee, known by various names in the course of its existence, was the Confederacy's principal army on the western front. From the Appalachian Mountains to the Mississippi River, this force fought most of the major battles that took place in the region. The army traced it origins to the early spring and summer of 1861, when Tennessee Governor Isham G. Harris spearheaded the effort to raise the Provisional Army of Tennessee. The army, one of the largest and best organized of the Southern forces, transferred to Confederate service in July 1861. Placed under the command of General Albert Sidney Johnston, it became the core of the Southern army in the Western Theater. In the opening days of the war, the army defended the northern frontier of the Confederacy along the Tennessee-Kentucky border before retreating following the Federal capture of Fort Henry and Fort Donelson on the Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers in February 1862. The army concentrated at Corinth, Mississippi. General P. G. T. Beauregard, second in command, styled the forty-four-thousand-man force the "Army of the Mississippi." On April 6-7, 1862, this army engaged Union General Ulysses S. Grant's Army of the Tennessee in the battle of Shiloh, the first large-scale battle of the war. An apparent Confederate victory on the first day turned into defeat on the second. The army limped back to Corinth, having suffered more than ten thousand casualties, including the death of Johnston. Although Beauregard succeeded to command of the army, his conflicts with President Jefferson Davis soon led to his replacement by General Braxton Bragg. For the next year and a half, Bragg led the army through some of the hardest marching and toughest fighting of the war. In November 1862, soon after the culmination of Bragg's first campaign at the battle of Perryville and the subsequent retreat into Tennessee, the army officially became known as the Army of Tennessee, the designation it carried for the rest of the war. In the last days of December 1862, the thirty-eight-thousand-man Army of Tennessee took up a position thirty miles southeast of Nashville along the banks of the west fork of the Stones River near the small town of Murfreesboro. The Confederate forces faced a forty-four-thousand-man Union army under the command of General William S. Rosecrans. Both armies straddled the Nashville Turnpike and the railroad leading into that city. Early on December 31, 1862, the Army of Tennessee struck the enemy's right flank and drove the Federals back to the turnpike and railroad. But the initial success could not be sustained. After three days of fighting, Bragg withdrew and the Federals claimed victory, although both sides suffered an almost equal number of casualties. The Army of Tennessee held the Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad near Tullahoma for the next several months. In the summer of 1863 Rosecrans adroitly maneuvered Bragg's forces from their defensive position, sending them into retreat to North Georgia, just south of Chattanooga. Reinforcements from General James Longstreet's Virginia corps bolstered the Army of Tennessee. On September 19-20, the army attacked Rosecrans along the banks of Chickamauga Creek, fighting one of the fiercest engagements of the war. Confederate casualties numbered more than eighteen thousand, while the Union forces lost more than sixteen thousand men. Despite its losses, the battle became one of the Army of Tennessee's greatest tactical triumphs. The Southern forces drove the Union army back to Chattanooga; only the skillful action of General George H. Thomas prevented the retreat from becoming a rout. But Bragg failed to follow up his advantage. Criticism of the general, which had been mounting since the retreat from Kentucky and the battle of Stones River, reached new heights. Jefferson Davis visited the army and raised expectations that he would relieve Bragg of his command. Davis, however, decided to retain the general. Then, in late November 1863, Grant, who had replaced Rosecrans as Union commander, decisively defeated Bragg in the battles for Chattanooga, forcing him to withdraw to North Georgia and making the costly triumph at Chickamauga strategically worthless. Davis relieved Bragg of his command and named General Joseph E. Johnston to head the Army of

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Tennessee. Johnston strengthened the army's morale and numbers, but faced an enormous task in the spring of 1864. General William T. Sherman, with superior numbers, launched his campaign to capture Atlanta. Gradually, Johnston fell back before Sherman's advance, presumably seeking an opening to strike the Union forces at an unguarded moment. Johnston found only one opportunity, and even then, General John Bell Hood, who had been expected to lead the attack, held back, fearing a Federal attack on his flank if he moved forward. The Confederates continued to retreat under pressure of Sherman's enveloping maneuvers. A disenchanted Davis removed Johnston from command and gave command of the Army of Tennessee to Hood, who had been sending Davis criticisms of Johnston for continually retreating. Hood's engagements around Atlanta cost the army a terrible price in the numbers of dead and wounded, all to no avail. On September 2, 1864, Sherman captured Atlanta. Hood then moved the Army of Tennessee northward, hoping to draw Sherman away from Georgia. Instead, Sherman headed for Savannah, leaving General Thomas to cope with Hood's forces in Tennessee. Crossing the Tennessee River and moving into Middle Tennessee, Hood led the Army of Tennessee into an ill-advised frontal assault at Franklin on November 30, 1864. This battle resulted in seven thousand casualties, including the deaths of six Confederate generals. Nevertheless, Hood decided to move on to Nashville, where the army was decisively defeated on December 15-16, 1864. The remnants of the Army of Tennessee managed to reach safety on the Tennessee River, but Hood lost his command, and Johnston returned to lead the weakened, hard-luck army into the Carolinas, where they fought once more at Bentonville, before surrendering at Durham, North Carolina, in late April 1865. The Army of Tennessee gained a reputation as a tough, hardmarching, hard-fighting unit. Usually outnumbered and led by inept commanders, the Army of Tennessee nevertheless achieved an impressive record as a fighting force. James L. McDonough, Auburn University

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Order of the Battle of Franklin (11/30/64), Confederate Army of Tennessee, General John Bell Hood, commanding
Confederate Order of Battle, Franklin, TN (November 30, 1864) Army of Tennessee, General John Bell Hood, commanding INFANTRY LEEs Corps: Leut. Gen. Stephen D. Lee Johnsons Division: Maj. Gen. Edward Johnson Deass Brigade: Brig. Gen. Zachariah C. Deas 19th, 22d, 25th, 39th, 50th Alabama Manigaults Brigade: Brig. Gen. Arthur M. Manigault, Lt. Col. William L. Butler (Nashville) 24th, 28th, 34th Alabama; 10th, 19th South Carolina Sharps Brigade: Brig. Gen. Jacob H. Sharp 7th, 9th, 10th, 41st, 44th Mississippi 9th Battalion Mississippi Sharpshooters Brantleys Brigade: Brig. Gen. William F. Brantley 24th, 27th, 29th, 30th, 34th Mississippi Dismounted Cavalry Company Stevensons Division: Maj. Gen. Carter L. Stevenson Cummingss Brigade: Col. Elihu P. Watkins 24th, 36th, 39th, 56th Georgia Pettuss Brigade: Brig. Gen. Edmund W. Pettus 20th, 23d, 30th, 31st, 46th Alabama Claytons Division: Maj. Gen. Henry D. Clayton Stovalls Brigade: Brig. Gen. Marcellus A. Stovall 40th, 41st, 42d, 43d, 52d Georgia Gibsons Brigade: Brig. Gen. Randall L. Gibson 1st, 4th, 13th, 16th, 19th, 20th, 25th, 30th Louisiana 4th Lousiana Battalion; 14th Lousiana Battalion Sharpshooters Holtzclaws Brigade: Brig. Gen. James Holtzclaw 18th, 32d, 36th, 38th, 58th Alabama STEWARTs Corps: Lt. Gen. Alexander P. Stewart Lorings Division: Maj. Gen. William W. Loring

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Featherstons Brigade: Brig. Gen. Winfield S. Featherston 1st, 3d, 22d, 31st, 33d, 40th Mississippi 1st Mississippi Battalion Adamss Brigade: Brig. Gen. John Adams; Col. Robert Lowry (Nashville) 6th, 14th, 15th, 20th, 23d, 43d Mississippi Scotts Brigade: Brig Gen Thomas M. Scott; Col. John Snodgrass (Nashville) 27th, 35th, 49th, 55th, 57th Alabama; 12th Louisiana Frenchs Division: Maj. Gen. Samuel G. French, Brig. Gen. Claudius Sears Ectors Brigade: Col. David Coleman 29th, 30th North Carolina, 9th Texas 10th, 14th, 32d Texas Cavalry (dismounted) Cockrells Brigade: Brig. Gen. F.M. Cockrell, brigade detached prior to Nashville under Col. Peter C. Flournoy 1st, 2nd, 3d, 4th, 5th, 6th Missouri 1st Missouri Cavalry (dismounted) 3d Missouri Cavalry Battalion (dismounted) Searss Brigade: Brig. Gen. Claudius Sears, Lt. Col.Reuben H. Shotwell (Nashville) 4th, 35th, 36th, 39th, 46th Mississippi 7th Mississippi Battalion Walthalls Division: Maj. Gen. Edward C. Walthall Quarless Brigade: Brig. Gen. William A. Quarles; Brig. Gen. George D. Johnson (Nashville) 1st Alabama; 42d, 46th, 48th, 49th, 53d, 55th Tennessee Cantleys Brigade: Brig. Gen. Charles M. Shelley 17th, 26th, 29th Alabama; 37th Mississippi Reynolds Brigade: Brig. Gen. Daniel H. Reynolds 4th, 9th, 25th Arkansas 1st, 2d Arkansas Mounted Rifles (dismounted) CHEATHAMs Corps: Major General Benjamin F. Cheatham Cleburnes Division: Maj. Gen. Patrick Cleburne, Brig. Gen. James A. Smith(Nashville) Lowreys Brigade: Brig. Gen. Mark P. Lowrey (Franklin) 16th, 33d, 45th Alabama; 5th, 8th, 32d Mississippi; 3d Mississippi Battalion Govans Brigade: Brig. Gen. Daniel C. Govan 1st, 2d, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 13th, 15th, 19th, 24th Arkansas Granburys Brigade: Brig. Gen. Hiram B. Granbury; Capt.E. T. Broughton 5th Confederate; 35th Tennessee; 6th, 7th, 10th, 15th Texas 17th, 18th, 24th, 25th Texas Cavalry (dismounted); NuttsLouisana Cavalry (dismounted) Smiths Brigade: on detached duty before NashvilleBrig. Gen. James A. Smith; Col. Charles H. Olmstead

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(Nashville) 54th, 57th, 63d Georgia; 1st Georgia Volunteers Browns (Cheathams Old) Division: Maj. Gen. John C. Brown; Brig. Gen.Mark P. Lowrey (Nashville) Gists Brigade: Brig. Gen. States Rights Gist; Lt. Col.Zachariah L. Watters (Nashville) 46th, 65th Georgia; 2d Battalion Georgia Sharpshooters; 16th, 24th South Carolina Maneys Brigade: Brig. Gen. John C. Carter; Col. Hume R. Field (Nashville) 1st, 4th (provisional), 6th, 8th, 9th, 16th, 27th, 28th, 50thTennessee Strahls Brigade: Brig. Gen. Otho F. Strahl; Col. AndrewJ. Kellar (Nashville) 4th, 5th, 19th, 24th, 31st, 33d, 38th, 41st Tennessee Vaughans Brigade: Brig. Gen. George W. Gordon; Col.William M. Watkins (Nashville) 11th, 12th, 13th, 29th, 47th, 51st, 52nd, 154th Tennessee Bates Division: Maj. Gen. William B. Bate Tylers Brigade: Brig. Gen. Thomas B. Smith 37th Georgia; 4th Battalion Georgia Sharpshooters; 2d, 10th, 20th, 37th Tennessee Finleys Brigade: Col. Robert Bullock; Maj. Jacob A. Lash 1st, 3d, 4th, 6th, 7th Florida, 1st Florida Cavalry (dismounted) Jacksons Brigade: Brig. Gen. Henry R. Jackson 25th, 29th, 30th Georgia; 1st Georgia Confederate; 1st Battalion Georgia Sharpshooters Artillery: LEEs Corps: 1) Col. Robert F. Beckham 2) Maj. John W. Johnston Courtneys Battalion: Capt. James P. Douglas Dents Alabama Battery; Douglass Texas Battery; GarritysAlabama Battery Eldridges Battalion: Capt. Charles E. Fenner Eufaula Alabama Battery; Fenners Louisiana Battery; Stanfords Miss Battery Johnsons Battalion: Capt. John B. Rowan Corputs Georgia Battery; Marshalls Tenn Battery; Stephenss Light Artillery STEWARTs Corps: Lt. Col. Samuel C. Williams Trueharts Battalion: Lumsdens Alabama Battery; Seldens Alabama Battery Myricks Battalion: Bouanchauds Louisiana Battery; Cowans Miss Battery, Dardens Miss Battery Storrs Battalion: Guiborps Missouri Battery; Hoskins Miss Battery; KolbsAlabama Battery CHEATHAMs Corps: Col. Melancthon Smith

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Hoxtons Battalion: Perrys Florida Battery; Phelans Alabama Battery; TurnersMiss Battery Hotchkisss Battalion: Bledsoes Missouri Battery; Goldtwaites Alabama Battery; Keys Arkansas Battery Cobbs Battalion: Fergusons South Carolina Battery; Phillips [Mabane's] Cavalry: Maj. Gen. Nathan B. Forrest CHALMERs Division: Brig. Gen. James R. Chalmers Ruckers Brigade: Col. Edmund W. Rucker 7th Alabama Cavalry; 5th Miss Cavalry; 7th, 12th, 14th, 15thTenn Cavalry; Forrests Regiment Tenn Cavalry Biffles Brigade: Col. Jacob B. Biffle, 10th Tenn Cavalry BUFORDs Division: Brig. Gen. Abraham Buford Bells Brigade: Col. Tyree H. Bell 2d, 19th, 20th, 21st Tenn Cavalry; Nixons Tenn Cavalry Regiment Crosslands Brigade: Col. Edward Crossland 3d, 7th, 8th, 12th Kentucky Mounted Infantry; 12th Kentucky Cavalry; Hueys Kentucky Battalion JACKSONs Division: Brig. Gen. William H. Jackson Armstrongs Brigade: Brig. Gen. Frank C. Armstrong 1st, 2d, 28th Miss Cavalry; Ballentines Miss Regiment Rosss Brigade: Brig. Gen. Lawrence S. Ross 5th, 6th, 9th Texas Cavalry; 1st Texas Legion ARTILLERY Mortons Tennesse Battery, Slocumbs Louisiana Battery

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Generals Profiles
Maj-Gen. John M. Schofield (U.S.A.)
Schofield, John M., major-general, was born in Chautauqua county, N. Y., Sept. 29, 1831. His father, a clergyman, removed to Bristol, Ill., when the son was about twelve years of age, and in 1845 to Freeport, in the same state. In June, 1849, young Schofield entered the U. S. military academy, being graduated in 1853 seventh in the same class with Gens. McPherson, Sheridan, Sill, Terrill, R. O. Tyler, and the Confederate Hood. On July 1, 1853, he was made brevet second lieutenant of artillery, serving at Fort Moultrie S. C., and on Aug. 31, second lieutenant of the 1st artillery, stationed in Florida, 1854-55. From Nov. 19, 1855, till Aug. 28, 1860, he was at the West Point military academy, as acting assistant, and then as assistant professor of natural and experimental philosophy. While on leave of absence for one year he held the chair of professor of physics at Washington university, St. Louis, Mo., but when the Civil war began he waived the remainder of his leave, and was made mustering officer of Missouri, April 20, 1861, serving one month. By permission of the war department, he accepted the commission of major of the 1st Mo. volunteers on April 26, and on May 14 he received the rank of captain in the 1st artillery of the regular army, remaining, however, with the Missouri troops. As chief of staff to Gen. Nathaniel Lyon, he participated in the engagements of Dug springs and Curran P. 0., Aug. 2, 3, and 4, and the battle of Wilson's creek on Aug. 1O. In the fall of the same year he was charged with the conversion of the 1st Mo. infantry into an artillery regiment, and with battery A, hastily forwarded from St. Louis, took part in the battle of Fredericktown, Mo., on Oct. 21. On Nov. 21 he was appointed by the president brigadier-general of volunteers, and on the 26th he received the same commission from the governor of Missouri in the Missouri state militia, with orders to organize and equip a force of 10,000, to be at the service of the Federal government, within the limits of the state, while the war should last, and which should relieve the main armies for service in more important fields. From Sept. 26, 1862, until April, 1863, he organized and commanded the Army of the Frontier in the southwest part of the state and in northwest Arkansas, driving the Confederates south of the Arkansas river, having been made major-general of volunteers on Nov. 29, 1862. For about one month, April 20 to May 13, 1863, Gen. Schofield commanded the 3d division of the 14th army corps, but was assigned to the command of the Department of the Missouri, and retained it until Jan. 31, 1864, sending troops to assist Gen. Grant in the capture of Vicksburg, operating successfully to obtain possession of the line of the Arkansas river, and clearing the state of guerrilla and border war. With the Army of the Ohio, of which he was in command, he took part in all the battles and operations of the entire Atlanta campaign, viz., the demonstration at Buzzard Roost gap, the battles of Resaca and Dallas, the movement against and engagements near Lost mountain, the action of Kolb's farm, the battle of Kennesaw mountain the passage of the Chattahoochee and the battles near and siege of Atlanta, ending in the capture of that city on Sept. 2, 1864. In October Gen. Schofield was sent by Gen. Sherman to the assistance of Gen. George H. Thomas in Tennessee commanding the troops in the field opposed to Gen. Hood from Nov. 3 till Dec.1. Falling back from Pulaski to Columbia, skirmishing and from the latter place to Spring Hill, he finally gave battle at Franklin on Nov. 30. He also participated in the battle of Nashville, which terminated the campaign,

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on Dec. 15 and 16, and was engaged in the pursuit of Hood's army until Jan. 14, 1865. His commission of brigadier-general in the U. S. army was dated from the battle of Franklin, and on March 13, 1865, he also received the rank of brevet major-general, U. S. A., for "gallant and meritorious services" in the same battle. Gen. Schofield then operated with Gen. Sherman in the final campaign against Gen. Johnston, and after the surrender he remained in command of the Department of North Carolina until June 21. After the war he visited Europe on a special mission, relative to the occupation of Mexico by French troops. From Aug. 16, 1866, till June, 1868, he was in command first of the Department of the Potomac, and then of the 1st military district of Virginia, as confirmed under the reconstruction laws. On June 2, 1868, he was appointed secretary of war by President Johnson, retaining the office under President Grant until March 14, 1869, and on March 4 of the same year he was made major-general in the regular army. From March 20, 1869, till May 3, 1870, he was in command of the Department of the Missouri, and from the last date to July, 1876, of the Division of the Pacific. Then until Jan. 21, 1881, he was superintendent of the military academy at West Point, and commander of the Department of West Point. For a few months thereafter he commanded the Division of the Gulf, but on Oct. 15, 1882, he again commanded the Division of the Pacific, and on Nov. 8, 1883, he succeeded Gen. Sheridan in command of the Division of the Missouri, with headquarters at Chicago Ill. From April 2, 1886, he commanded the Division of the Atlantic, and on Aug. 14, 1888, on the death of Gen. Sheridan, was assigned by President Cleveland to command the U. S. army, with headquarters at Washington, D. C. He occupied this position until Sept. 29, 1895 when he was retired from the service, the rank of lieutenant-general having been conferred upon him on Feb. 5 of that year. Gen. Schofield died of cerebral hemorrhage at St. Augustine, Fla., on March 4, 1906. Source: The Union Army, vol. 8

Maj-Gen. Jacob D. Cox

Cox, Jacob D., major-general, was born in Montreal, Canada, Oct. 27, 1828, spent his boyhood in New York, removed with his parents to Ohio in 1846, and graduated at Oberlin college in 1851. After leaving college he studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1853, practiced in Warren, Ohio and was from 1859 to 1861 member of the state senate. Holding a state commission as brigadier-general of volunteers at the beginning of the Civil war, he was active in raising troops, and on May 17, 1861, was commissioned brigadier-general of U. S. volunteers. He commanded an independent column in the West Virginia campaign under McClellan from July to Sept., 1861, and under Rosecrans from September to December of the same year. He commanded the district of the Kanawha almost continuously until Aug., 1862, when he was ordered to Washington and assigned to the Army of Virginia under Pope. He led the advance of the right wing of McClellan's army at South mountain and opened the battle, Sept. 14, 1862, assuming command of the 9th army corps when Gen. Reno fell, and directing its movements in the battle of Antietam three days later. For his services in this campaign he was commissioned major-general of volunteers, Oct. 6, 1862, and was ordered to West Virginia, where he drove back the Confederates, and then commanded the district until April, 1863, when he was put in command of the district of Ohio, and later of a division of the 23d army corps. He served in the Atlanta campaign and in the campaigns of Franklin and Nashville under

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Gen. Thomas. For services at the battles of Franklin he was restored to the rank of major-general of volunteers from which he had been reduced by constitutional limitation, in April, 1863, and was given permanent command of the 23d corps. He was transferred with his corps to North Carolina, in Feb., 1865, as part of Schofield's army, capturing Fort Anderson, the cities of Wilmington and Kinston, then joining Sherman's army at Goldsboro, and commanding the district of western North Carolina at Greensboro after the surrender of Gen. Johnston. He resigned from the service, Jan. 1, 1866, returned to Ohio, and was governor of the state in 1866 and 1867. He was secretary of the Interior in President Grant's cabinet, 1869-70, then resigned, and, returning to Ohio, was a representative from the Toledo district in the 45th Congress, 1877-79. He was also for several years president of the Wabash railroad. He was elected dean of the Cincinnati law school in 1881, and was president of the University of Cincinnati from 1884 to 1889. He retired from the deanship of the law school in 1897, and from active professional life, and died Aug. 4, 19OO. Source: The Union Army, vol. 8

Maj-Gen David S. Stanley served at Franklin

Stanley, David S., major-general, was born in Cedar Valley, Ohio, June 1, 1828. He was graduated at West Point in 1852 and as an officer of cavalry served on the Western plains for several years, reaching the grade of captain in 1861. At the opening of the Civil war he was tendered and refused an important commission in the Confederate service; took part in the early operations of the Federal forces in Missouri, and on Sept. 28, 1861, was promoted to be brigadier-general of volunteers. He participated in the battles of New Madrid and Island No. 1O, and for his special services on these occasions received the thanks of his superior officers. He took part in the capture of Corinth and the battle of Iuka, and on Nov. 29, 1862, was raised to the rank of majorgeneral of volunteers. During the Atlanta campaign he rendered conspicuous service, especially at the battle of Jonesboro, where he commanded the 4th army corps. On Oct. 6, 1864, in the absence of Gen. Thomas, he was assigned to the command of the Army of the Cumberland in the field, and by his energy, skill and activity contributed largely to the successful defense of Nashville. At Spring Hill he repulsed three desperate assaults of the Confederate cavalry and infantry, and at the battle of Franklin, when the Federal line was broken and defeat threatened, he led a charge of a reserve brigade and in a gallant struggle at close quarters succeeded in recovering the ground that had been lost. He was severely wounded at Franklin but refused to leave the field until the battle was won, although his injuries incapacitated him for active service during the remainder of the war. For his services he received brevet ranks from lieutenant-colonel, to major-general in the regular army, and in 1866 was appointed colonel of the 22nd infantry. From 1866 until 1874 he was stationed mainly in Dakota. In 1873, as commander of the Yellowstone expedition, he led his troops into western Montana, and by his reports upon the section visited greatly hastened its settlement. From 1874 until 1879 he served on the lakes. In the latter year he was transferred to the Texas frontier, where he promptly suppressed Indian raids into that state and established more amicable relations with the Mexicans on the other side of the border. From 1882 until 1884 he commanded the Department of New Mexico and put down uprisings of the Navajo and Ute Indians by peaceful means. In March, 1884, he was promoted to be brigadier-general in the regular army and he retired from

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service on June 1, 1892. Gen. Stanley died March 13, 1902. Source: The Union Army, vol. 8

Maj-Gen. James H. Wilson, CDV

A cdv portrait of General James H. Wilson, a versatile soldier who rose from a topographical engineer early in the war to the inner circle of Grants staff, culminating as one of the outstanding cavalry commanders of the Civil War, with John Goldin & Co., Washington, D.C. backmark. Wilson, James H., major-general, was born in Illinois in 1838 and was graduated at West Point in 1860. He took part in the Port Royal expedition and for his services in the capture of Fort Pulaski was made major on April 11, 1862. He was on McClellans staff at South mountain and Antietam, was inspectorgeneral of the Army of the Tennessee in the Vicksburg campaign of 1863, and after the battle of Chattanooga was made lieutenantcolonel. From May to Aug., 1864, he commanded the 3d cavalry division, Army of the Potomac, and was promoted to the rank of colonel for his services in the Wilderness. He was commander of the cavalry division of the Mississippi from Oct., 1864, to July, 1865, and took part in all the engagements of Gen. Thomas, campaign, being made a brevet brigadier-general, U. S. A., after the battle of Nashville. He led a cavalry expedition into Alabama and Georgia in March and April, 1865,capturing Selma, Montgomery, Columbus and Macon, and on May 1O, 1865, captured Jefferson Davis, president of the Confederacy. He was made major-general of volunteers April 20, 1865, and lieutenantcolonel of the 35th infantry July 28, 1866. He retired from the army on Dec. 31, 1870, and engaged successfully in railroad management in the United States and China. Upon the outbreak of the Spanish-American war he was commissioned major-general of volunteers, May 4, 1898, and served through that conflict. On April 12, 1899, he was commissioned brigadier-general of volunteers and served in that capacity until March 2 1901, when he retired from the service, having been given the full rank of brigadiergeneral, U. S. A., Feb. 11, 19O1. Source: The Union Army, vol. 8

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Maj-Gen. Thomas H. Ruger, served at Franklin

Civil War Union Major General. The son of an Episcopal minister, he was born in Lima, New York, and at the age of 13, he and his family moved to Janesville, Wisconsin. Entering West Point in 1850, he would graduate 3rd in the class of 1854, however only nine months later he would resign from the Corps of Engineers and returned to Janesville, where he opened his own law office. On June 29, 1861, he reentered the army as executive officer of a volunteer infantry regiment, the 3rd Wisconsin. On September 1st he became the outfits Colonel. By then he was serving under Major General Nathaniel P. Banks in Virginias Shenandoah Valley, where early in 1862 the Federals waged a frustrating campaign against Major General Thomas J. Stonewall Jacksons Foot Cavalry. He suffered through Major General John Popes Second Bull Run Campaign, serving conspicuously at Cedar Mountain on August 9, 1862. At Antietam, he led the 3rd Brigade/1st Division/XII Corps/Army of the Potomac, taking a wound while fighting near the West Woods. Once he was back on his feet, he was given a Brigadier Generals star and led his brigade at Chancellorsville. There he labored to stem the rout of the XII Corps following Jacksons flank offensive of May 2, 1863. His efforts on this field and others so impressed his immediate superior, Brigadier General Alpheus S. Williams, that at Gettysburg although not his senior subordinate, Williams gave his division to him, when Williams moved up to corps command. (Henry W. Slocum commanded the armys right wing) On July 2, 1863, he justified such faith by his judicious placement of troops along Culps Hill, ensuring that the next days attack on the far Federal right would fail. For this action in 1867, he would receive a brevet to Brigadier General in the regular army. After Gettysburg, he was sent to New York City to help bring order to the Draft Riots. That October his troops were transferred West, where he led his brigade in guarding the supply lines during the Battle of Chattanooga. The division received this duty because Slocum refused to fight under Joe Hooker, and the corps sent only one division into the fight so that Slocum could have his way. He retained brigade command in the merger of the 11th and 12th Corps the following spring. In 1864 he participated in Major General William T. Shermans Georgia Campaign as a brigade and later a division commander. Accompanying Major General George H. Thomas to Tennessee that fall, he fought gallantly at the battle of Franklin in command of a XXIII Corps division. He was brevetted Major General of Volunteers for his heroics. He was disabled by sickness and missed the Battle of Nashville being replaced by Major General D. N. Couch. With most of the XXIII Corps he was transferred to the North Carolina coast where he served under Major General John M. Schofield, notably at Kinston and during the occupation of Wilmington. He also was able to join Sherman for the surrender of Joe Johnstons army. He continued on duty until being mustered out on September 1, 1866. He became Colonel of the 33rd and later the 18th United States Infantry, these being two of the newly created regular army infantry regiments after the war. He would rise to the rank of Major General and serve as Superintendent of West Point from 1871 to 1876. From 1876 to 1878 he served as commander of the Department of the South. Transferred to the frontier, he served as commander of the District of Montana from 1878 to 1885. Here his two biggest responsibilities were fighting Indians and protecting the railway system to the West Coast. He would retired in 1897. (bio by: Ugaalltheway)

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Statements by Gen Ruger related to Franklin (Nov 1864)

Cowans recently auctioned off several items related to Gen. Thomas H. Ruger, who commanded at the Battle of Franklin. In the first week of November, Ruger was offered command of a Division in 28th Corps in Tennessee under George Thomas unless Sherman and Slocum (who did not want to have him leave their command) could offer him one. Ruger describes his meeting with Sherman: I gave [Sherman] Gen. Slocums letter and remarked that if the two Corps of the Army of the Cumberland the 14th and 20th were to be operated as an army it would place Gen. Williams in command of the 20th Corps and that would give me the Division during the campaign at least. He shook his head and said enough to let me know he had no such intention and directed the order for my transfer to be made out, said that it was not a good plan to stay too long in one hole and besides Gen Schofield was very anxious to have me come. He received command of 2nd Div., 28 Corps, shortly before the Battle of Franklin, where he would earn a lasting reputation. Nov. 28: I want you to make your position perfectly secure so as to render it impossible for the enemy to effect a crossing at that place. You may retain the guns which you have without horses even at the risk of losing them. If the bridge is not sufficiently burned to render it useless to the enemy complete it tonight under the cover of darkness. At 8 a.m. on the 29th, word the order went out The enemy is coming in force above us, ordering Ruger to leave a regiment to guard the river. When it was over, Ruger described the Battle of Franklin to his wife: The attack of the enemy was very strong and determined much the hardest I have seen west a good deal like the attacks of [Stonewall] Jackson. We repulsed the enemy with loss, but as A.J. Smiths command and other were not up we fell back here where they are for concentration. The force we had was much smaller than the enemy.

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The Army of Tennessee C.S.A. Commanding General John Bell Hood

Lieutenant-General John Bell Hood, general with temporary rank, 1864, was born in Owensville, Ky., June 1, 1831. He was graduated at the United States military academy with the class of 1853, which included his subsequent antagonists, McPherson and Schofield.

During his West Point life his fiery courage and persistence were impressed upon his associates. Years afterward General O. O. Howard, finding the Confederates active in his front, on the west of Atlanta, said to Sherman, "General, Hood will attack me here," and when Sherman expressed his doubt, Howard responded that he had known Hood at West Point and that "he was indomitable."

In the rank of second-lieutenant Hood served about two years in California, after his graduation, and was then transferred to a new cavalry regiment of which Albert Sidney Johnston was colonel and Robert E. Lee lieutenant-colonel. He engaged in frontier service in Texas in the winter of 1855, and in July following was wounded at Devil's river.

In 1858 he was promoted first lieutenant, and in 1859-60 he performed the duties of cavalry instructor at West Point. Resigning his commission in April, 1861, he entered the service of the Confederate States, reporting to General Magruder on the peninsula of Virginia. With the temporary rank of major he was given command of the cavalry of this district by General Magruder, and on the organization of the cavalry companies into a regiment was promoted lieutenant-colonel.

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Next commissioned colonel of the Fourth Texas regiment in September, 1861, he thus began his association with the Texas troops in the Confederate war, his regiment becoming the nucleus of the Texas brigade which was soon formed and placed under his command in March, 1862, as brigadiergeneral.

Under his daring leadership, the Texans performed prodigies of valor and at the outset gained a reputation for hard fighting and reckless courage that grew with the progress of the war. His brigade was attached to the command of Gen. G. W. Smith at Williamsburg and Seven Pines.

He checked General Franklin at Eltham's Landing near West Point, and at Gaines' Mill his brigade and that of General Law were at the front of Longstreet's attack, and the report of General Stonewall Jackson gives credit to the Fourth Texas, led by General Hood, as the first to pierce the Federal entrenchments on the left and capture the batteries.

In this fight he was wounded and his gallantry won the brevet of major-general, a rank to which he was fully promoted in October following. Commanding a division composed of his old brigade and that of Law, with five batteries, in Longstreet's corps, he climbed over the mountains at Thoroughfare Gap and struck the enemy on the field of Second Manassas, with decisive results.

During the Maryland campaign he took part with his division in the important and heroic delay of the Federal army at the passes of South Mountain, with his comrades holding Hooker's and Reno's corps at Fox's Gap. At Sharpsburg he held the left against Hooker on the 16th of September, and fought desperately about the Dunker church on the 17th.

At Fredericksburg he commanded the right of Longstreet's line, and at Gettysburg, stationed on the extreme right of the Confederate army, he made a vigorous and successful attack on the second day against Little Round Top and the Devil's Den. Early in the engagement he received a wound which deprived him permanently of the use of one arm and caused his confinement for over two months.

In September, 1863, his division was ordered with Longstreet's corps, in the reinforcement of Bragg in North Georgia, which he at once followed, notwithstanding his wound. He was distinguished in the action on the 19th and 20th of September, 1863, when he gained a brilliant success, crushing the

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right center of the enemy, capturing artillery, and seizing the Chattanooga road, but while leading a charge with his usual impetuosity he was wounded in the right leg, necessitating its amputation.

He was promoted lieutenant-general, of date September 20th, and during Johnston's campaign against Sherman he was in active command of one of the three army corps, though he was so maimed in body that it was with great difficulty that he was able to keep upon his horse.

During the fighting from Dalton to Atlanta he played a prominent part, and on July 18, 1864, he was given command of the army, with the temporary rank of general. He endeavored to take Sherman's army at disadvantage in crossing Peach Tree Creek, July 20, 1864, but delay made the blow ineffective. Two days later he fought the battle of the 22nd with well-devised plans that chance and superior forces of the enemy deprived of further effect than checking the Federal advance in that direction.

On the 28th he struck the persistent Sherman a heavy blow at Ezra Church, but after the enemy had succeeded in breaking his communications he evacuated Atlanta, having held Sherman at bay for seventy-five days. He then determined to attack Sherman's communications, invade Tennessee and carry the war northward.

This resulted in several engagements in North Georgia, and the famous battles of Franklin and Nashville, Tenn. At the close of this campaign General Hood applied to be relieved from the command of his army, and continued to press his application until finally President Davis complied with his request.

Bidding farewell on the 25th of January, 1865, to the army of Tennessee, with which he had served over eleven months, he reported to the President at Richmond, was ordered to Texas, and while on the way was informed of the surrender of General Lee. Proceeding on his journey he reached the vicinity of Natchez, Mississippi, where he was detained in "vain endeavors to cross the mighty river "until he learned of the surrender by General Kirby Smith.

After that he rode into Natchez May 31, 1865, surrendered and was paroled. Hostilities on the field being ended he engaged in business in New Orleans until his death, August 30, 1879.

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Source: Confederate Military History, vol. 1, p. 657

Captain, Corps of Cavalry, C. S. A., March 16, 1861

Colonel, Fourth Texas Infantry, September 30, 1861.

Brigadier general, P. A. C. S., March 3, 1862.

Major general, P. A. C. S., October 10, 1862.

Lieutenant general, P. A. C. S., September 20, 1863.

General (with temporary rank), July 18, 1864.

Died in New Orleans, August 30,1879.

Commands.

Brigade composed of the First, Fourth and Fifth Texas and Eighteenth Georgia Regiments Infantry, and Hampton's Legion, Longstreet's Division, Army of Northern Virginia.

Division composed of the brigades of Robertson, Law, Benning and Jenkins.

At the battle of Fredericksburg, December 15 and 16, 1862, division composed of the brigades of Law, Toombs, Robertson and Anderson, Army of Northern Virginia.

Army corps composed of the divisions of Hindman, Stevenson and Stewart.

Commanding Army of Tennessee, July 18, 1864.

January 23, 1865, at his own request, relieved of command of the Army of Tennessee and ordered to Richmond, Va.

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Hood, John Bell, born in Kentucky, appointed from Kentucky cadet United States Military Academy, July 1, 1849; graduated forty-fourth in a class of fifty-two.

Brevet second lieutenant, Fourth Infantry, July 1, 1853.

Second lieutenant, Second Cavalry, March 3, 1855.

First lieutenant, August 18, 1858.

Resigned April 16, 1861..

Source: General Officers of the Confederate States of America

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Contemporary accounts of Hood at Franklin

Sergeant Major Sumner A. Cunningham wrote of the demeanor of Hoods troops in Confederate Veteran magazine in April, 1893, the march to Spring Hill, where the Federal retreat was so nearly cut off, a failure for which it was understood General Hood was not to blame, created an enthusiasm for him equal to that entertained for Stonewall Jackson after his extraordinary achievements. The soldiers were full of ardor, and confident of success. They had unbounded faith in General Hood, whom they believed would achieve a victory that would give us Nashville. The next (Nov 30) morning, as we marched in quick time toward Franklin, we were confirmed in our impressions of federal alarm. I counted on the way thirty-four wagons that had been abandoned on the smooth turnpike. In some instances whole teams of mules had been killed to prevent their capture. Arriving at Winstead Hill, two miles south of Franklin, at about 2:00 P.M., Hood observed the situation. Sergeant Major S. A. Cunningham, standing near to Hood on the hill as Hood contemplated the attack, recalled, The enemy were greatly excited. We could see them running to and fro. Wagon trains were being pressed across the Harpeth River, and on toward Nashvillebut I was absorbed in the one man whose mind was deciding the fate of thousands. With an arm and a leg in the grave, and with the consciousness that he had not until within a couple of days won the confidence which his army had in his predecessor, he had now a very trying ordeal to pass through. Battle of Franklin veteran L.A. Simmons wrote in his 1866 work, The History of the 84th Regiment Illinois Volunteers, In speaking of this battle, very many are inclined to wonder at the terrible pertinacity of the rebel General Hood, in dashing column after column with such tremendous force and energy upon our center involving their decimation, almost their annihilation? Yet this we have considered a most brilliant design, and the brightest record of his generalship, that will be preserved in history. He was playing a stupendous game, for enormous stakes. Could he have succeeded in breaking the center, our whole army was at his mercy. In our rear was a deep and rapid river, swollen by recent rains only fordable by infantry at one or two places and to retreat across it an utter impossibility. To break the center was to defeat our army; and defeat inevitably involved a surrender. If this army surrendered to him, Nashville, with all its fortifications, all its vast accumulation of army stores, was at his mercy, and could be taken in a day. Hence, with heavy odds a vastly superior force in his hands, he made the impetuous attack upon our center, and lost in the momentous game. His army well

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understood that they were fighting for the possession of Nashville. Ours knew they were fighting to preserve that valuable city, and to avoid annihilation. Hood pondered the critical dilemma that Nashville lay unprotected, and with only three hours of daylight remaining, decided to order an immediate frontal assault. As Cunningham later wrote, While making ready for the charge, General Hood rode up to our lines, having left his escort and staff in the rear. He remained at the front in plain view of the enemy for, perhaps, half an hour making a most careful survey of their lines. It was all-important to act, if at all, at once. He (Hood) rode to Stephen D. Lee, the nearest of his subordinate generals, and, shaking hands with him cordially, announced his decision to make an immediate charge.

Hoods blunder-failure at Franklin?

I understand Im treading on thin ice here with some folk when it comes to critiquing John Bell Hood, especially for his actions at Franklin. So let me clearly state my biases because we all have them; Im just honest enough to admit them. My biases and background? I was born in Kentucky, which was neutral in the Civil War officially. Until ten years ago (late 30s), I was very pro-Southern and totally leaned to the so-called States rights side of the aisle. I espoused the Lost Cause ideology with conviction then, though I was not even aware how much I had descended into it. Today, I have completely shed the Neo-Confederate mindset and its accompanying arguments. I now believe that the American Civil War, at least for the last two years, was mostly (but not entirely) fought over the issue of slavery. I believe that human slavery was a moral scourge on this nation and wished it would have been effaced from our landscape without the shedding of blood.

If you still have an objective bone in your body I submit the following six items as evidence that John Bell Hood made at least six fatal errors at Franklin. These six are mainly related to his direct frontal massed assault at Franklin. Hoods blunder-failure (i.e., his frontal assault) at Franklin can be summed up thus: a. His assault had virtually zero artillery support. b. He had too large an army to perform an assault that only had roughly 1.7 miles of width-towidth from flanks once the works were reached. His columns were terribly constrained and inter-mixed. c. He went against the better judgment of his subordinate commanding generals. d. His cavalry played virtually no role in the assault strategically. e. He started the assault too late in the day. f. He apparently had very little true knowledge of the topography of Franklin, and/or had the knowledge and ignored it.

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Historian-author Wiley Sword weighs in on Hoods blunderfailure at Franklin

I recently emailed historian and author Wiley Sword to see if hed like to weigh in on the current discussion regarding Hoods blunder-failure at Franklin. He offered this commentary. There are a variety of modern viewpoints involving Gen. John Bell Hoods performance at Spring Hill and Franklin, and there often is some merit with each opinion. On the positive side, Hood was a physically brave soldier, had a burning desire to succeed, and planned his operations on the basis of his considerable experience in combat. From a negative perspective, Hood was not very adaptive of the innovation required in confronting a new era in the methodology of war, his stubborn nature disallowed constructive criticism , and being prone to blame others he could not accept responsibility for his mistakes. This led, in my opinion, to the ultimate disaster to his army at Franklin. Based upon my extensive research for my book Embrace an Angry Wind, Hoods greatest critics were his own soldiers. Anyone wishing to explore this aspect should look at the sources listed in my book for each statement, which is based on contemporaneously written materials, not some Lost Cause postwar musings. Hood at Franklin is perhaps best put into perspective by a modern observer asking himself: If I were a member of Hoods army at Franklin, what would I think; would I willingly go; would I like my chances of surviving? Or, would I rather have the likes of Robert E. Lee, Pat Cleburne, or Nathan Bedford Forrest calling the shots as to fighting that battle?

What was the size of John Bell Hoods Confederate Army of Tennessee when it arrived in middle Tennessee in late 1864?
According to historian Eric Jacobson, the Army of Tennessee had 28,000 infantry and 5,000 cavalry when it arrived in middle Tennessee in late 1864. Hood took over the Army of Tennessee in July from Johnston. There were 8,000 Federals garrisoned at Nashville at the time. Hood would lose at least 7,500 at Franklin (30 Nov 1864) and another 6,600 at Nashville, two weeks later. When the Army of Tennessee retreated back to Pulaski in mid December 1864, the army was reduced to but a shadow of its former self.

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Hood was the fifth commander of the Army of Tennessee. He commanded the army from July 17, 1864, until January 15, 1865. Many historians say his recklessness destroyed the Army of Tennessee. In just six months (July 1864 December 1864) Hood lost at least 30,000 men* at a time when the Confederate army, and especially the Army of Tennessee, was in desperate need of men. *Casualty estimates are based on the conservative figures as reported by the National Park Service. Here are the major engagements Hood was involved in from the time he became commander of the Army of Tennessee. July 20 Peachtree Creek 4,796 July 22 Atlanta 8,499 July 28 Ezra Church 3,000 Aug 31 Sept 1 Jonesborough 2,000 Nov 30 Franklin 6,261 Dec 15 Nashville 4,462

Interview with the curator of the John Bell Hood exhibit at Carnton
I recently sat down with Carnton collections manager Joanna Stephens to ask her a few questions about the exhibit. BoF: How long did it take to get this exhibit installed from its inception? Stephens: It took about a year, which is really not all that long for an exhibit. We wanted this exhibit to coincide with the opening of the Fleming Center. We were originally trying to find enough items on Gen John Schofield (U.S.) and General John Bell Hood (CSA). But there just werent many accessible artifacts belonging to Schofield so we ended up just with Hood artifacts. BoF: How does this Hood exhibit compare to previous Hood exhibits around the country? Stephens: This is the largest exhibit of John Bell Hood artifacts ever assembled for a museum exhibit. BoF: What is your favorite item in the exhibit? Stephens: I like the personal items best. I like daily-use things best. My favorite Hood artifact in this exhibit are the gauntlets. It is not too hard to imagine his withered left arm still wearing the

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glove! I love personal artifacts . . . Those kind of things . . . but to really see a picture of what a person was like in daily life is really important. BoF: What does this exhibit tell us about Hood that many people might be surprised of? Stephens: My goal was to inform people that there was a lot more to this man than the decision he made at Franklin. So much before and so much more after. Hes a whole man. You have to take everything into consideration.

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Brig-Gen. Patrick R. Cleburne

Colonel First Regiment Arkansas Infantry,--, 1861. Brigadier general, P. A. C. S., March 4, 1862. Major general, P. A. C. S., December 13, 1862. Killed at the battle of Franklin, Tennessee, November 30, 1864. Commands. Brigade composed of the Second, Fifth, Twentyfourth and Forty-eighth Tennessee and Fifteenth Arkansas Regiments Infantry, and Calvert's Battery of Artillery, being Second Brigade, Third Corps, Army of the Mississippi. Division composed of the brigades of Brigadier Generals Lucius E. Polk, S. A. M. Wood, and James Deshler, and the batteries of artillery of Calvert, Semple, and Douglass. Division subsequently composed of the brigades of Brigadier Generals L. E. Polk, Lowry, Govan, and Granbury, and subsequently of the brigades of Brigadier Generals Wood, Johnson, Liddell, and Polk, Hardee's Corps, Army of Tennessee. Source: General Officers of the Confederate States of America

Major-General Patrick R. Cleburne, one of the most brilliant soldiers of the Confederate States, was a native of Ireland. When twenty-two years of age he joined the British army as a private, and there took his first lessons in drill and discipline. For good conduct he was promoted to the rank of corporal. After remaining three years in the British army he procured his discharge and came to America.

He settled in Arkansas, became a hard student, was admitted to the bar, and the year 1861 found him practicing law in Helena, enjoying in his profession and in society the honorable position which his toil and native worth had gained for him. He was among the first to answer the call to arms. He raised a

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company and with it joined the First, afterward known as the Fifteenth Arkansas regiment, of which he was almost unanimously elected colonel.

His first campaign was with General Hardee in Missouri. At its close he went with Hardee to Bowling Green, Ky. He had during this short military service so impressed his superiors that he was assigned to command of a brigade, and on March 4, 1862, was commissioned brigadier-general.

At the battle of Shiloh he proved that his abilities had not been over estimated, and during the reorganization of the army at Tupelo he brought his brigade to a very high state of discipline and efficiency. He had that valuable combination of qualifications for command which enabled him to enforce discipline and at the same time secure the esteem and confidence of his troops.

At Richmond, Ky., he commanded a division whose impetuous charge had much to do with winning the magnificent victory over "Bull" Nelson's army. Though painfully wounded in this battle, a few weeks later he led his men in the fierce conflict at Perryville, with his usual success. On December 13, 1862, he was commissioned major-general.

He was in the memorable attack upon the right of the Federal army at Murfreesboro, which drove the Union on lines until the mass in front became at last too thick for further penetration. Again at Chickamauga Cleburne made a charge, in which his men by desperate valor won and held a position that had been assailed time and again without success.

At Missionary Ridge, in command at the tunnel, he defeated Sherman, capturing flags and hundreds of prisoners, and when involved in the general defeat, he made a heroic fight at Ringgold gap and saved Bragg's artillery and wagon train. In recognition of this gallant exploit, the Confederate Congress passed the following joint resolution: "Resolved, that the thanks of Congress are due, and are hereby tendered to Maj.-Gen. Patrick R. Cleburne, and the officers and men under his command, for the victory obtained by them over superior forces of the enemy at Ringgold gap in the State of Georgia on the 27th day of November, 1863, by which the advance of the enemy was impeded, our wagon trains and most of our artillery saved, and a large number of the enemy killed and wounded."

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One of the most brilliant episodes of the Atlanta campaign of 1864 was Cleburne's victory at Pickett's mill over Howard's corps of Sherman's army. In the awful carnage at Franklin, November 30, 1864, Cleburne, the "Stonewall Jackson of the West," gave his last battle order. Within twenty paces of the Union line, pierced by three wounds, he fell, and on the battlefield expired. His death was a disheartening blow to the army of Tennessee, and was mourned throughout the whole South.

Source: Confederate Military History, vol. XIV, p. 396

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From mystery to history: the story of Gen. Patrick R. Cleburnes once-lost pistol by Kraig McNutt
Unless youre a real Civil War buff, meaning, youre fairly knowledgeable about Civil War-era small arms, youre not likely to have much interest in the news that Confederate General Patrick R. Cleburne .36 caliber Colt revolver is coming to Franklin, Tennessee. The revolver will be displayed with his Kepi, or hat, that he was wearing on the evening he was killed in the Battle of Franklin on 30 November 1864. But you dont have to be a Civil War afficionado to appreciate a great story, and the story of how Cleburnes pistol is making its way back to Franklin, after more than 143 years, is quite amazing. The story behind how the Cleburne pistol ended up in the worthy possession of the Layland Museum in Cleburne, Texas, has all the intrigue of a mystery-novel and the hoopla, at times, of a story right out of Ripleys Believe-It-Or-Not.

Photo courtesy of the Layland Museum, Cleburne, Texas Click here to see many more pictures of the pistol and Kepi The last time the Kepi and pistol were together: early December 1864 The story starts 30 November 1864, when CSA General Patrick R. Cleburne, himself an Irish-born immigrant, was killed by a single-shot to the chest. Gen. Cleburne was carrying a .36 caliber Colt revolver during the Confederate assault upon the Yankee breastworks near the Carter farm in Franklin, Tennessee.

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The next morning, Cleburnes body was removed to the local field hospital, the McGavock residence, also known as Carnton. What is clear is what was missing on his person when his body arrived that morning: his boots, diary and sword belt. Later in the day, Cleburnes aide, Lt. Leonard Mangum, found the sword belt with another soldier. What is unclear is just what immediately happened to the pistol. There is no record of it being stated as missing, but then there is also no record stating positively what had happened to it. Carnton historian Eric Jacobson believes that the McGavocks never had the pistol. The pistol finally shows up in Texas much later. How it got there may likely always be a mystery.

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The bodies of four Confederate Generals were placed on the back porch at Carnton on Thursday morning, December 1st, 1864. Besides Patrick Cleburne, it is believed that Generals Strahl, Granbury and Adamss bodies were placed on the porch, beneath the windows on the right. What happened with the pistol between 1864 and 1900 is a real mystery. The next 30 years roughly 1870s to 1900 were murky history at best. Were really not sure what exactly happened with the pistol during that period of time. The story can be fairly confidently picked up in the mid 1890s, though with some reliance upon the veracity of oral tradition. It seems that a Texas man, perhaps a veteran Confederate soldier or descendant, had found himself as owner of the precious. However, in the mid 1890s he found himself down on his luck and decided to sell the pistol to improve his lot. So the pistol transferred into the hands about this time to a man named Seakrats. Seakrats, circa 1900, apparently recognized the inscription on the weapon enough to decide that a local Confederate Veterans Camp Pat Cleburne Camp #88 might be the right home for the revolver. So Seakrats turned the precious relic over to the Pat Cleburne Camp #88 around the turn of the twentieth century. Does the story end there? Not even close. What happened to the pistol from 1900 to roughly 1913? The Captain of Camp #88 was O.T. Plummer. In an effort to verify the pistol as having originally been owned by Cleburne, he had the Camp Adjutant, Matthew Kahle, take the gun to Helena, Arkansas. Cleburne lived in Helena prior to the outbreak of the Civil War. Post-war veterans and colleagues of

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Cleburne still lived there and were able to attest to its authenticity. The Helena group verified it as unequivocally having belonged to Patrick Cleburne. However they thought the best home for it would be Helena. But, not feeling he was authorized to give it to them, Kahle returned to Cleburne, Texas named after the General with said-treasure in stow. So, from 1900 1913, the much-coveted relic was in the possession of a man named James Voluntine Hampton in Cleburne, Texas. The story continues and the twists and turns got even wilder. What happened between 1913 and 1944? Possibly stolen. Mr. Hampton walked into the new Cleburne county courthouse in 1913 and revealed he had the pistol. Apparently, he handed over the revolver where it promptly was placed into a desk-drawer where it was kept for years; how many were not sure. There is some belief that the pistol may have even been stolen during the Great Depression era and was possibly missing for at least a decade, leading up to 1944. The next chapter is incredible. A couple boys found the gun on the banks of the Nolan River in 1944. They sold it to a scrap dealer for the princely sum of $5 dollars. By now, it was in fairly poor condition. The dealer noticed an inscription, and after confirming with the town Sheriff that it appeared to be Cleburnes name on it, they contacted the President of the local United Daughters of the Confederacy (UDC) chapter, who just happened to be the daughter of . . . . O.T. Plummer. She agreed it was authentic and bought it for $5 bucks. Thus the proud owner of the precious in 1944 is now the UDC. End of story? Nope. Mystery again between 1955 to 1970. From 1944 until 1955, its not altogether clear where exactly the gun was stored. But in 1955, it resurfaced again when a gun-restorer offered to restore it, which he did. He apparently was not the best restorer of small-arms weapons at least not this one. The attempt to restore it saw the degradation of some of the engravings on the barrel, frame and cylinder. However, the inscription of P. R. Cleburne on the backstrap largely avoided any damage and remained intact and clearly legible. In 1960, the gun was moved to the National Guard Armory a former WWII United States Government-leased property for utilization as a German prisoner of war camp. After the armory was closed in the late 1960s, the pistol wound up in Austin, Texas. Around 1970, it was put on display in the State Capitol in their Civil War room. What happened to the pistol from 1971 to 1978? Still looking for a permanent resting place, the revolver was returned back to Cleburne, Texas, in 1971, where it was superintended by the Chamber of Commerce . . . . who ended up giving it back to the UDC. The UDC allowed the pistol to become part of the Layland Museum in Cleburne, Texas, in 1978, where it has been ever since. Where is the pistol now? And finally . . . in March, 2007, the UDC chapter that owned it, donated it to the Layland Museum. End of story? Sort of . . . The story will turn full circle on June 20th, 2008, at Carnton Plantation in Franklin, Tennessee, when for the first time since December 1st, 1864, the original Cleburne pistol is reunited with the original Cleburne Kepi, or hat, that the General Stonewall of the West wore into battle the fateful Indian summer evening on Wednesday, 30 November 1864. As Cleburne strode into battle that evening, a fellow General had commented to the Irish commander that the prospect of the forthcoming assault of John Bell Hoods Army of Tennessee did not look

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promising at all, to which Patrick Cleburne replied, Well Govan, if we are going to die, let us die like men. General Cleburne, sir. To you, we tip your hat this day, as we celebrate the reunion of your Kepi and pistol, on the very ground you shed your blood upon, for a cause you deemed worthy, paying the last full measure of devotion. Rest in peace, General. Your Humble, Obedient Servants . . . . The Franklin, Tennessee, community

Note: The above article was written by Kraig McNutt, Director of The Center for the Study of the American Civil War, and fellow member of The Franklin Civil War Roundtable. Assistance with research was provided by Carnton historian Eric A. Jacobson; Carnton Curator Manager, Joanna Stephens; and Curator of The Layland Museum, Ben Hammons.

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Pictures of the Cleburne Kepi and pistol, reunited after 143 years!
The original Kepi and pistol belonging to Confederate General Patrick R. Cleburne was reunited unceremoniously on June 15, 2008, in the Carnton home formerly the home of John and Carrie McGavock around 4:30p.m., when Layland Museum curator Ben Hammons, delivered the pistol into the hands of Carnton curator Joanna Stephens. The Kepi is on loan from the Tennessee State Museum. These items were last together in early December, 1864 at Carnton. Right to photography is graciously provided by Carnton, the Tennessee State Museum, and the Layland Museum in Cleburne, Texas.

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Brig-Gen. John Adams

Brigadier General John Adams, a gallant soldier was born at Nashville, July 1, 1825. His father afterward located at Pulaski, and it was from that place that young Adams entered West Point as a cadet, where he was graduated in June, 1846.

On his graduation he was commissioned second lieutenant of the First Dragoons, then serving under Gen. Philip Kearny. At Santa Cruz de Rosales, Mexico, March 16, 1848, he was brevetted first lieutenant for gallantry, and on October 9, 1851, he was commissioned first lieutenant.

In 1853 he acted as aide to the governor of Minnesota with the rank of lieutenant colonel of State forces, this position, however, not affecting his rank in the regular service. He was promoted in his regiment to the rank of captain, November; 1856.

May 27, 1861, on the secession of his State, he resigned his commission in the United States army and tendered his services to the Southern Confederacy. He was first made captain of cavalry and placed in command of the post at Memphis, whence he was ordered to western Kentucky and thence to Jackson, Miss.

In 1862 he was commissioned colonel, and on December 29th was promoted to brigadier-general. On the death of Brig.-Gen. Lloyd Tilghman, May 16, 1863, Adams was placed by General Johnston in command of that officer's brigade, comprising the Sixth, Fourteenth, Fifteenth, Twentieth, Twentythird and Forty-third Mississippi regiments of infantry.

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He was in Gen. J. E. Johnston's campaign for the relief of Vicksburg, in the fighting around Jackson, Miss., and afterward served under Polk in that State and marched with that general from Meridian, Miss., to Demopolis, Ala., thence to Rome, GA, and forward to Resaca, where he joined the army of Tennessee.

He served with distinction in the various battles of the campaign from Dalton to Atlanta, he and his gallant brigade winning fresh laurels in the fierce battles around the "Gate City. " After the fall of Atlanta, when Hood set out from Palmetto for his march into north Georgia in the gallant effort to force Sherman to return northward, Adams' brigade was much of the time in advance, doing splendid service, and at Dalton capturing many prisoners.

It was the fate of General Adams, as it was of his friend and classmate at West Point, Gen. Geo. E. Pickett, to reach the height of his fame leading his men in a brilliant and desperate, but unsuccessful, charge. But he did not come off so well as Pickett; for in the terrific assault at Franklin, Adams lost his life.

Though wounded severely in his right arm near the shoulder early in the fight and urged to leave the fields he said: "No; I am going to see my men through." He fell on the enemy's works, pierced with nine bullets. His brigade lost on that day over 450 in killed and wounded, among them many field and line officers.

Lieut.-Col. Edward Adams Baker, of the Sixty-fifth Indiana infantry, who witnessed the death of General Adams at Franklin, obtained the address of Mrs. Adams many years after the war and wrote to her from Webb City, Mo. This letter appeared in the Confederate Veteran of June, 1897, an excellent magazine of information on Confederate affairs, and is here quoted:

"General Adams rode up to our works and, cheering his men, made an attempt to leap his horse over them. The horse fell upon the top of the embankment and the general was caught under him, pierced with bullets. As soon as the charge was repulsed, our

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men sprang over the works and lifted the horse, while others dragged the general from under him. He was perfectly conscious and knew his fate. He asked for water, as all dying men do in battle as the life-blood drips from the body. One of my men gave him a canteen of water, while another brought an armful of cotton from an old gin near by and made him a pillow. The general gallantly thanked them, and in answer to our expressions of sorrow at hissad fate, he said, 'It is the fate of a soldier to die for his country,' and expired."

The wife of General Adams was Miss Georgia McDougal, daughter of a distinguished surgeon of the United States army. She was in every way worthy to be the wife of so gallant a man. Though left a widow with four sons and two daughters, she reared them, under all the severe trials of that sad period, to be useful men and women.

Source: Confederate Military History, vol. X, p. 285

Brig-Gen. Otho F. Strahl, killed at Franklin

General Otho French Strahl, one of the choicest spirits that embraced the cause of the South, and finally offered all upon her altar, was a native of Ohio, who had settled in Tennessee and was practicing law at Dyersburg when the great war of States began. Although of Northern birth, both of his grandmothers were Southern women, and perhaps had much to do with moulding the sentiments which made him such an ardent sympathizer with the South.

When Tennessee was making ready to cast in her lot with the Southern Confederacy, the young lawyer entered the Fourth Tennessee regiment as a captain (May, 1861). Early in 1862 he became lieutenant-colonel of the regiment. As such he

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shared in the hardships and glories of the campaigns of Shiloh, Bentonville and Murfreesboro, in which he so conducted himself as to be promoted colonel early in 1863, and then to the rank of brigadiergeneral, July 28, 1863.

In the hundred days' campaign from Dalton to Atlanta in 1864, he and his men added to their already magnificent record. Mr. S. A. Cunningham, who was a boy soldier in his brigade at Franklin, November 30, 1864, has given in his magazine a graphic account of the conduct and death of his commander on that fateful day. Mr. Cunningham being that day right guide to the brigade, was near Strahl in the fatal advance, and was pained at the extreme sadness in his face. He was surprised, too, that his general went into the battle on foot.

The account of Mr. Cunningham continues: "I was near General Strahl, who stood in the ditch and handed up guns to those posted to fire them. I had passed to him my short Enfield (noted in the regiment) about the sixth time. The man who had been firing, cocked it and was taking deliberate aim when he was shot, and tumbled down dead into the ditch upon those killed before him.

When the men so exposed were shot down, their places were supplied by volunteers until these were exhausted, and it was necessary for General Strahl to call for others. He turned to me, and though I was several feet back from the ditch, I rose up immediately, and walking over the wounded and dead took position, with one foot upon the pile of bodies of my dead fellows and the other upon the embankment, and fired guns which the general himself handed up to me, until he, too, was shot down."

The general was not instantly killed, but soon after received a second shot and then a third, which finished for him the fearful work. "General Strahl was a model character, and it was said of him that in all the war he was never known to use language unsuited to the presence of ladies."

While the army was camped at Dalton on the 20th of April, 1864, services were held in the Methodist church by Bishop Charles Todd Quintard, of the Episcopal church. On this occasion Bishop Quintard baptized General Strahl and presented him to Bishop Stephen Elliott for confirmation, with three other

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generals of the Confederate army -- Lieutenant-General Hardee and Brigadier-Generals Shoup and Govan. Source: Confederate Military History, vol. X, p. 334

Brig-Gen. States Rights Gist

Brigadier-General States R. Gist was a descendant of that gallant Marylander, Gen. Mordecai Gist, who distinguished himself at the battle of Camden in 1780, and at the Combahee in 1782, and subsequently resided at Charleston, at his death leaving two sons who bore the names of Independent and States.

At the organization of the army of South Carolina early in 1861, States R. Gist was assigned to the position of adjutant and inspector general, in which capacity he rendered valuable service in the preparation for the occupation of Charleston harbor and the reduction of Fort Sumter.

He went to Virginia as a volunteer aide to General Bee, and at the critical moment in the first battle of Manassas, when Gen. J. E. Johnston rode to the front with the colors of the Fourth Alabama at his side, Beauregard relates that "noticing Col. S. R. Gist, an aide to General Bee, a young man whom I had known as adjutant-general of South Carolina, and whom I greatly esteemed, I presented him as an able and brave commander to the stricken regiment, who cheered their new leader, and maintained under him to the end of the day, their previous gallant behavior."

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Subsequently he resumed his duties as adjutant-general, organizing South Carolina troops for the war, until in March, 1862, he was commissioned brigadier-general in the Confederate service, and ordered to report to General Pemberton, then in command of the department. He was after this on duty on the South Carolina coast, in command east of James island in June, on that island from July; temporarily in command of the first district, and in December, 1862, in command of the troops ordered to the relief of Wilmington, until May, 1863, when he was ordered to take command of a brigade and go to the assistance of General Pemberton in Mississippi.

Reaching Jackson his command formed part of the troops under J. E. Johnston, took part in the engagement of May 14th at Jackson, marched to the Big Black river just before the surrender of Vicksburg, and then returning to Jackson was besieged by Sherman. His brigade comprised the Fortysixth Georgia, Fourteenth Mississippi and Twenty- fourth South Carolina, the Sixteenth South Carolina soon afterward being substituted for the Mississippi regiment, and was assigned to the division of Gen. W. H. T. Walker.

He fought gallantly at Chickamauga, commanding during part of the battle Ector's and Wilson's brigades, his own brigade being led by Colonel Colquitt, and on Sunday commanding Walker's division. At an important stage of the fight Gen. D. H. Hill called for Gist's brigade for dangerous duty, in the performance of which it suffered severely.

He continued in conspicuous and valuable service; during the battle of Missionary Ridge commanded Walker's division, and throughout the Atlanta campaign of 1864 was identified with that division. After the fall of General Walker he was transferred to Cheatham's division, which he commanded for some time during the fall campaign of that year.

At the terribly destructive battle of Franklin, Tenn., he was one of the noblest of the brave men whose lives were sacrificed. Attended by Capt. H. D. Garden and Lieut. Frank Trenholm, of his staff, he rode down the front, and after ordering the charge and waving his hat to the Twenty-fourth, rode away in the smoke of battle, never more to be seen by the men he had commanded on so many fields. His

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horse was shot, and he was leading the right of the brigade on foot when he fell, pierced through the heart. Source: Confederate Military History, vol. VI, p. 397

Maj-Gen. Hiram B. Granbury, killed at Franklin

Brigadier-General Hiram Bronson Granbury was one of the most gallant of the valiant officers of the soldier State of Texas. Entering the Confederate army as captain of a company in Gregg's regiment, Seventh Texas, he went with his command to Kentucky, and at the organization, in November, 1861, was elected major.

He was on duty in Kentucky until early in 1862, when the brigade to which he was attached was ordered to Fort Donelson. In the battle at that important post, in February, his regiment was in the gallant charge which successfully opened the way for the retreat of the Confederate army. That the opportunity was not improved was not the fault of the gallant men who gained the fight.

Col. John M. Simonton, who on this occasion led the brigade, said of Major Granbury, that "he had now the confidence of his command and was entitled to the highest commendation of his countrymen." Col. John Gregg, of his regiment, also speaks well of the efficient assistance of Granbury.

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After the prisoners captured at Fort Donelson had been exchanged, Granbury was promoted to colonel of the Seventh regiment, August 29, 1862, and he commanded his regiment in north Mississippi, with Gregg's brigade, until after the fall of Vicksburg.

He distinguished himself at the battle of Raymond, Miss., where General Gregg fought so valiantly the overwhelming masses of the Federals. He led this regiment in the battle of Chickamauga, and at Missionary Ridge until Brig.-Gen. James A. Smith was borne from the field severely wounded. Then Colonel Granbury took command of the brigade.

On this day of disaster to the Confederates, Cleburne's division held its ground. More than that, Granbury, assisted by Cumming, from Stevenson's division, and Maney, from Walker's, made a charge and drove the enemy from their front.

General Cleburne in his report said: "To Brigadier-Generals Smith, Cumming and Maney, and to Colonel Granbury, I return thanks for the able manner in which they managed their commands. "

At the brilliant battle of Ringgold Gap, which occurred two days later, Granbury commanded the Texas brigade. Here was inflicted such a repulse upon the enemy that the pursuit was completely checked. On this occasion General Cleburne said of Colonels Granbury and Govan, and Brigadier-Generals Polk and Lowrey: "Four better officers are not in the service of the Confederacy. "

On February 29, 1864, Granbury was commissioned brigadier-general in the provisional army of the Confederate States, his command being the famous Texas brigade, consisting of the Sixth, Seventh, Fifteenth, Seventeenth, Nineteenth, Twenty-fourth and Twenty-fifth regiments.

Throughout the whole Atlanta campaign, from Dalton to Jonesboro, the fame of this brigade increased. It carried off the honors of the brilliant victory at Pickett's mill, and materially helped in checking the triumphant advance of the enemy at the battle of Jonesboro.

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During the ill-fated Tennessee campaign of General Hood, in the fearful charge at Franklin, fell Gen. Pat. Cleburne, commander of one of the most renowned divisions of the Confederate army, and General Granbury, the leader of one of its most celebrated brigades. Their loss could never be compensated, and to this day the survivors of the army of Tennessee mention their names with reverence.

Source: Confederate Military History, vol. XV, p. 230

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Interviews: Professor Steven E. Woodworth

Professor of History Texas Christian University Author of numerous books on the American Civil War

Professor-historian Steven E. Woodworth on Hoods blunderfailure at Franklin?

Professor Steven E. Woodworth left this comment on Hoods failure at Franklin. I think it worthwhile to bring it to our attention as a separate post. A case can be made in defense of Hoods battle plans at Atlanta, though not his execution of those plans. Such is not the case at Franklin. Its true that frontal attacks were sometimes necessary and sometimes successful. Its also true that every truly great Civil War general launched one or two such attacks that he would no doubt have liked to have taken back afterward but that seemed reasonable when he launched them. Yet there simply can be no palliation or excuse for Hoods Franklin assault. it did not seem at all reasonable when he launched it. By that point in the war, the simplest drummer boy could see that it could not succeed and would lead to the slaughter of the army. Bad as Hoods situation was, wrecking his army could only make it worse. His only reasonable option was to maneuver in such a way as to maintain his army, since it was one of the Confederacys last assets.

Did Hoods 1864 Tennessee Campaign have a chance of succeeding?

Did Hoods Tennessee Campaign ever have a chance? With Lincolns reelection, the North had demonstrated that it had the will to continue the war, if necessary, for another four years. Can anyone imagine that the Confederacy could possibly have resisted that long? Or, to put it another way, what would have had to happen, after Lincolns reelection, for the Confederacy to win its independence? Can we come up with any plausible scenario in which Hoods Tennessee campaign could have started a chain of events leading to Confederate independence? If Hood had trapped and annihilated Schofield at Spring Hill, it certainly would have been an unwelcome development for the Union, but would it have enabled Hood to defeat Thomas in the fortifications of Nashville? I cant imagine that it would have. What if Hood had pressed on into Kentucky or even Ohio? Would Union morale have collapsed, prompting Lincoln to sue for peace? Again, I cant imagine such a reaction. And how might Hoods ill-clad troops have fared in Ohio in December?

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Was the potential of a Confederate capture of Nashville in 1864 likely?

Was the potential of a Confederate capture of Nashville in 1864 likely in your estimation? Actually, I think a Confederate capture of Nashville in 1864 was as close to being impossible as almost anything we study in history. The more likely means by which Hood might have achieved greater success would have been by by-passing Nashville and penetrating much farther norththough the season of the year was much against it. And even at that, he wouldnt have changed the course of the war. If he could, by some miracle, have taken Nashville, that certainly would have been a major headache for the Union high command, but ultimately, with Lincoln having been reelected, the North was committed to waging the war for up to another 4 years if necessary. Lees army could not have survived more than a couple of weeks longer than it did, and then Hoods would have been the only major Confederate army left in the field. Can you imagine him with, say, 30,000 men, besieged in Nashville by perhaps 200,000 or more Union troops, led once againas had not occurred since Chattanoogaby the combined leadership skills of Grant, Sherman, Thomas, and Sheridan? And with not even the most remote possibility of a Confederate army marching to his relief? In short, the final outcome might have been delayed, and thus attended with even more brutality and destruction, but it would have been the same. The last point in the war at which I can see any remote but semi-realistic hope of Confederate victory was the day before election-day, 1864. And for practical purposes, that election was probably decided on September 1, when Atlanta fell.

Did Franklin/Nashville have a significant impact on the overall Civil War?

In your view, did Franklin/Nashville have a significant impact on the overall Civil War? Franklin and Nashville had a limited impact on the overall course of the war simply because they failed to change anything. The Union controlled Tennessee before the campaign and controlled it even more solidly afterward. Confederate chances for success in the campaign were, from the outset, rather desperate. The impact of the battles was 1) to increase the overall Confederate death toll of the war, and 2) to remove whatever latent threat to Union control of Tennessee might have been posed by Hoods army lurking in north Alabama. For example, it seems unlikely that Schofields two corps would have been shifted to the east coast if Hood, with an as yet unbroken Army of Tennessee, were still lurking just outside the state, threatening to move north. And yet, would that have changed the outcome of the war? No, Sherman could have accomplished his purpose without Schofield, and the overall outcome would have been the same. Perhaps the crowning irony of the battles of Franklin and Nashville is that they were fought at a time when the war was already decided. by late November 1864 it is difficult to imagine any train of events that could have led to Confederate victory. Steven E. Woodworth is Professor of History at TCU in Texas.

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Newspaper accounts of the Battle of Franklin

December 2nd New York Times records carnage and killing at Franklin

TENNESSEE.
______ A Severe Battle at Franklin, Tenn. ________ HOOD DEFEATED BY THOMAS. ________ The Rebels Desperately Assault Our Works. ________ They are Repulsed with Fearful Carnage. __________ Six Thousand Rebels Killed and Wounded. _________ TWELVE HUNDRED PRISONERS CAPTURED ____________ Our Loss Less Than One Thousand. ____________ MAGNIFICENT BEHAVIOR OF OUR TROOPS __________ Full and Graphic Account from Our Special Correspondent. __________ OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT. __________ Washington, Thursday, Dec.1. The following official dispatch concerning the report of the victory in Tennessee, has been received at headquarters: FRANKLIN, Tenn., Wednesday, Nov.30.

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Major-Gen. Thomas: The enemy made a heavy and persistent attack with two corps, commencing at 4 P.M., and lasting till after dark. He was repulsed at all points with heavy loss probably of five or six thousand men. Our loss is probably not more than one-fourth of that number. We have captured about one thousand prisoners, including one Brigadier-General. (Signed,) JOHN SCHOFIELD Major-General. __________ OUR SPECIAL ACCOUNT. __________ Special Dispatch to the New-York Times. FOUR MILES SOUTH OF NASHVILLE. Thursday, Dec.1. Gen. SCHOFIELD yesterday fought one of the prettiest fights of the war, resulting most disastrously to the rebels, with little loss to ourselves. After three days skirmishing, the rebels crowded our first line of works yesterday afternoon, and at 4 P.M. made a most desperate attack on our right and centre, forcing our lines to our breastworks, which were thrown up from river to river in an open field on the Cumberland Pike, which ran through the centre of the field. At least half the rebel force engaged endeavored to pierce our centre, and come down viciously on WAGNERS Division, which, after desperate fighting, fell back, and MANYS rebel division, of FRANK CHEATAMS corps, got inside our works and captured two guns. Our centre was not broken, however, and, better still, Gen. WAGNER successfully rallied our troops, who charged on the enemy, recaptured the two guns, and drove the division over the breastworks, capturing one entire brigade and its commander. At 4:30 oclock the battle was waged with unabating vigor, the enemy having made during a half hour several attempts to break our centre. The Federal position was a magnificent one, and the result of these four days work were magnificently grand. All this while the rebels had appeared in front of our right. The plan was to pierce our centre and crush our right wing before dark. A portion of our infantry were engaged three-quarters of an hour firing on the rebel columns who stood their ground like madmen. During the every charge made on our right and centre, volleys of grape and canister were hurled into their lines, and only darkness prevented their sacrifice being more awful. It is said that no canister shot was used by the rebels during the day, but fired shot and shell. After the first break of WAGNERS division and its recovery, our line never budged a step. All was quiet after 10 P.M. It was not only one of the prettiest but cleanest battles of the war. The excessive slaughter of the enemy was owing to our wholesale use of canister and grape, and our selection of ground. The battle was fought in an open field, with no trees or undergrowth, or other interruption. The enemys loss in killed and wounded approximates 7,000, and we have over 1,200 prisoners, and one general officer and several field officers. The Colonel of the Fifteenth Mississippi, a Northern man, of Illinois, was wounded and taken prisoner. Four-fifths of his regiment were killed, wounded or captured. Our loss does not reach a thousand, hors du cambat.Gen. Bradley, of Illinois, while gallantly leading his troops, was severely wounded in the shoulder. Our loss in field officers is very small. Our troops behaved handsomely. SCHOFIELD commanded on the field, STANLEY on the right, and Cox on the left. Gen. Stanley was wounded slightly in the neck, but remained on the field and is all right to-day.

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I have told you all along the programme of Gen. Thomas would electrify you, and this is but the epilogue of the battle to come off. After our dead, wounded and prisoners were cared for, our army fell back to this point, and are in line of battle while I write. Up to this time, 3 P.M., the enemy has not made his appearance. The Third Corps of Veterans are in readiness, and a battle is expected before daylight to-morrow. All Government work is suspended, and all are under arms, from Gen. DONALDSON down to the unscientific laborers. The falling back of our troops was accomplished at 8 oclock this morning, and bridges burned across Harpeth River to retard the transportation of rebel supplies. The cavalry was handled prettily by Gen. WILSON, between Spring Hill and Triune. A.J. SMITHs corps is in line of battle, and the situation is particularly grand. Forts Negley, Morton, Cairo and Houston are alive, and the infantry movement perfectly satisfactory. Something must immediately transpire, as Gen. THOMASis ready to strike no matter how the rebels move. BENJ. C. TRUMAN

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NY Tribune reports on battle of Franklin, Dec 2nd, 1864 Further Facts About the Fight
THE LATE BATTLE OF FRANKLIN
THOMAS CONCENTRATED AT NASHVILLE EAST TENNESSEE TO BE DEVASTATED Official from General Thomas Army, Washington , Dec 4, 1864. The latest official information from the army of General Thomas is, that he has so concentrated the forces at the fortifications of Nashville , as to be prepared for any movement which General Hood may venture to make. Further Facts About the Fight Nashville , Dec 2. 1864

Col Emerson Opdycke

Gen. Wood succeeds Gen Stanley in command of the Fourth Corps, Gen Stanley being unable to take the field, his desperate bravery at the fight at Franklin mainly contributing to turn what threatened to be a disastrous repulse into a most glorious victory. When part of Gen. Stanleys command had ran away before the charge of the Rebels, he rushed to the front, had a horse shot under him and was himself wounded, yet still he led on the charge, waving his hat in the air and calling on his men to follow him. He succeeded in rallying his faltering troops, replying seven successive charges made by the Rebels.

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Col. Opdycke, of the 125th Ohio , commanding a brigade, specially distinguished himself in the engagement. Col. Schofield, a brother to Gen. Schofield, and his chief of Artillery, distinguished himself by the admirable positions in which he placed the Artillery and the manner in which he fought. The great importance of the victory at Franklin cannot be over estimated, as it checked Gen. Hoods onward course, and gave the Unionists time to make due preparations to meet him. Generals Schofield and Stanley command Corps in full. Nashville , Friday, Dec. 2, 1864

John Bell Hood

There has been slight skirmishing between ours and the Rebel cavalry all day. A complete line of intrenchments encircle the city. A portion of our cavalry force encountered the Rebel cavalry three miles from this city on the Franklin pike. The Rebels could be plainly seen advancing toward them. Our troops then retired toward the city. Night coming on, but few occasional shots were fired. It is rumored that Gen. Hood is endeavoring to cross the Cumberland River with a large cavalry force. Many experienced officers predict a heavy engagement tomorrow. Our forces occupy lines around the city, are in line-of-battle. Three soldiers were shot and killed by the guards in the streets of the city this evening. Their names are: Arthur L. Cheasy of the Eighth Kansas; John McCartly of the Thirtieth Indiana, and Joseph Brant of the Seventh Illinois Cavalry.

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December 3rd New York Times account of the Battle of Franklin

FROM NASHVILLE

The Position of the Opposing Armies.

NO FIGHTING SINCE WEDNESDAY Hood Demonstrating Toward Murfreesboro Further Details of the Battle of Franklin

THE REBEL GENERAL CLEBURNE KILLED

The Rebel Loss Fully Six Thousand Our Loss One Thousand
GEN. THOMAS MASTER OF THE SITUATION

Nashville, Friday, Dec. 2 I have received full accounts of the late battle at Franklin, and its antecedents, which was one of the the most brilliant in its general results of the war. For three days sharp skirmishing was kept up during the retirement of our army from Duck River to Franklin, during which time a multiplicity of exploits and successes resulted to the Federal arms.

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Gen. Cox conducted the rear guard, and on the 29th ultimately achieved a splendid victory over the rebels at Spring Hill, while General Wilsons cavalry gained a series of important successes over Forrests advance, under Roddy, on the pike between Turners and Spring Hill. During the afternoon of the 30th ultimately the rebel army was sorely pressed under Hood, who had Cheatams and Stewarts corps, and a portion of Dick Taylors command, numbering in all over 22,009 men. Owing to Coxs gallant check at Spring Hill, and portion of the Fourth and Twenty-third Corps were enabled to gain Franklin early in the day, where they threw up a line of breastworks, extending from one end to the other of the curve in the river, behind which our entire infantry command took position.

At precisely four oclock (afternoon) the entire rebel force made a charge, and succeeded in making a temporary break in our centre, commanded by Wagner. With characteristic impetuosity the soldiers composing Cheathams Corps dashed into the breastworks, and cooperating with the attacking party on their left, attempted to envelop and destroy our right. In the nick of time the troops of Wagner were rallied, and throwing their whole force on the rebel column, drove back the storming party in great disorder, capturing several hundred prisoner. Four hours after the rebels charged on these lines, but were repulsed as often with great slaughter. The rebels numbered at least two to our one, as nearly half of the Fourth andTwenty-third Corps were in reserve. The rebels loss in killed is three times ours, while their wounded is at least six times as large as ours. The woundedof our men are mostly in the head, arms and body. The artillery fire of the enemy was great precision, but their ammunition consisted chiefly of shot and shell, while for two hours immense quantities of more murderous missles were hurled with fearful fury into the rebel lines. All the attempt of the rebels to gain a permanent advantage were frustrated, and

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at dark the Federal position was uncharged, while the rebels retired, under cover of the woods, south of the Columbia pike. The rebel loss, as before stated, is fully 6,000, including over 1,000 prisoners, an unsual number of whom were officers. Our loss reached a total of about 1,000. An artillery duel was kept up till nearly midnight, when our troops commenced crossing Harpeth River, bringing all our trains and paraphernalia over in safety before daylight. The army then retired to within four miles of this city, at which point our frontline confronts the enemy. The falling back of the army is in accordance with the programme, and the battle at Franklin, although of the most brilliant kind, was an impromptu affair, and brought about owing to the necessity of checking the rebel advance to secure a safe crossing of the river by our troops. LATER Nashville, Friday, Dec. 2 Additional reports received increase the magnitude of the late victory at Franklin. Thirty stands of colors were captured by our forces. The Forty-ninth Indiana captured five, the Eighty-eighth Illinois three, Reillys old brigade eight, and the Twenty-third Corps captured four. Gen. Stanley, commanding the Fourth Corps, had a very narrow escape, having had a horse killed under him, and was shot in the right shoulder, the ball travelling the back and going out of the left shoulder. He is in the city, and though suffering considerably, is still attending to duty. It is confirmed that Gen. Cleburne, of Tennessee, is killed. Gen. Kimball, commanding the Second Division of General Stanleys Corps, in the heat of the battle passed a rebel Major-General, who told him he was mortally wounded. His men succeeded in carrying off his body. It is believed that Hoods main army is threatening Murfreesboro. Forrestsrebel cavalry is demonstrating on our front and right flank. Commander Fitch is here with a fleet of boats and Iron-clads. Sufficient forces have arrived to insure not only the safety of Nashville, but another Unionvictory, is case of a battle, under any circumstances. The military men all unite in the opinion that Gen. Stanley and Schofieldconducted the retirement from Pulaski in the face of the enemy with admirable skill, and crowning all with a magnificent Union victory at Franklin.

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New York Tribune, Monday, Dec. 5th, 1864 THE LATE BATTLE OF FRANKLIN
THOMAS CONCENTRATED AT NASHVILLE EAST TENNESSEE TO BE DEVASTATED Official from General Thomas Army, Washington , Dec 4, 1864. The latest official information from the army of General Thomas is, that he has so concentrated the forces at the fortifications of Nashville , as to be prepared for any movement which General Hood may venture to make. Further Facts About the Fight Nashville , Dec 2. 1864 Gen. Wood succeeds Gen Stanley in command of the Fourth Corps, Gen Stanley being unable to take the field, his desperate bravery at the fight at Franklin mainly contributing to turn what threatened to be a disastrous repulse into a most glorious victory. When part of Gen. Stanleys command had ran away before the charge of the Rebels, he rushed to the front, had a horse shot under him and was himself wounded, yet still he led on the charge, waving his hat in the air and calling on his men to follow him. He succeeded in rallying his faltering troops, replying seven successive charges made by the Rebels. Col. Opdycke, of the 125th Ohio , commanding a brigade, specially distinguished himself in the engagement. Col. Schofield, a brother to Gen. Schofield, and his chief of Artillery, distinguished himself by the admirable positions in which he placed the Artillery and the manner in which he fought. The great importance of the victory at Franklin cannot be over estimated, as it checked Gen. Hoods onward course, and gave the Unionists time to make due preparations to meet him. Generals Schofield and Stanley command Corps in full. Nashville , Friday, Dec. 2, 1864 There has been slight skirmishing between ours and the Rebel cavalry all day. A complete line of intrenchments encircle the city.

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A portion of our cavalry force encountered the Rebel cavalry three miles from this city on the Franklin pike. The Rebels could be plainly seen advancing toward them. Our troops then retired toward the city. Night coming on, but few occasional shots were fired. It is rumored that Gen. Hood is endeavoring to cross the Cumberland River with a large cavalry force. Many experienced officers predict a heavy engagement tomorrow. Our forces occupy lines around the city, are in line-of-battle. Three soldiers were shot and killed by the guards in the streets of the city this evening. Their names are: Arthur L. Cheasy of the Eighth Kansas; John McCartly of the Thirtieth Indiana, and Joseph Brant of the Seventh Illinois Cavalry. Nashville , Tenn. Dec. 4, 1864 No new developments have taken place today, except that our army still encircles the city on the south-east, its wings resting on the Cumberland River . The enemys lines are clearly to be seen from high points in the suburbs and from the Capitol. They are intrenching themselves in a south-western direction about three miles from the city. During the day heavy skirmishing occurred on our left and progressed along the lines to the center. Many persons witnessed cannonading. Along the right of our lines nothing of importance transpired today. The general opinion is that Hood will attack the Union forces in front of Nashville. A Union cavalry force has patrolled the north bank of the river, at the fords to prevent cavalry from crossing, as numerous unsuccessful attempts have been made by them to cross since the 1st instant. Johnsonville has been evacuated, and the road has been interrupted, and part of the trains from there are advancing to this point by land. It is rumored here today that Forrest has placed a pontoon bridge across the river above the city, and that Marmaduke has occupied Johnsonville. Both are without foundation. The first block house on the Chattanooga Road , four miles from the city, defended by negroes, commanded by Col. Johnson of the colored infantry, who surrendered Dalton, Ga., and was paroled, held out until this afternoon, when they surrendered, Col. Johnson and a portion of his men escaping on a train; the remainder were captured. The train was fired into. Several jumped from the train into the river and escaped, Col. Johnson among them, who is in the city tonight. A reconnoitering party sent Thursday, returned today, having gone 80 miles up the river, They report that no Rebels were seen or heard crossing the River, and none appeared along the banks. A Rebel deserter, who came in today, reports that Gen. S.D. Lee published an order to his men Friday morning, complimenting them on their bravery, devotion, and thanking them for the victory won at Franklin, and assuring them that if true to themselves now in front of Nashville, they would soon be enabled to enter and take possession of a vast amount of stores contained therein. Two prisoners were brought in today, Lieut. Hickman, 9th Tennessee cavalry, four miles from the city, and C.H. Gardy of Fords 48th Georgia infantry. The water on the shoals is nine feet deep and still rising. Cincinnati , Dec. 3, 1864

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The correspondent for The Gazette, writing from Nashville , gives the following particulars of the battle of Franklin , Tennessee : The plan of the battle was very simple. We had no time, in fact, to get up a complete plan, as the enemy pressed us too sorely, and obliged us to fight him. The original plan was to withdraw the force of General Schofield until the meeting of our reinforcements, and then give battle in the vicinity of Nashville; but the over sanguine Rebels pressed us too hard, and, when Schofield perceived he could not avoid a contest, he drew up his little army in line of battle in front of Franklin. At half past three the assault was commenced by the Rebels. Cheathams corps was on the right, Stewarts on the left, and S.D. Lees, in reserve, on the centre. Cheatham threw his whole corps on Wagners division with great impetuosity, and after an hours desperate fighting, he pushed Wagner back on our second line, where Wagners men became mingled with those of Coxs and Rugers, on our left and center. The Rebels, encouraged by their success, in driving back Wagner, with loud cheers advanced on our second line. Their order of advance was very peculiar a semicircle of two regiments deep extending all our lines, and behind each alternate regiment was placed four others, so that the assaulting columns were six regiments deep. Gen. Hood appeared about four oclock p.m. at the head of his command, and pointing toward our lines, said, Break those lines boys, and you have finished the war in Tennessee . Break them, and there is nothing to oppose your march from Nashville to the Ohio River . Loud and ringing cheers answered the words of the Rebel leader, while the whole space in front of our lines was crammed with the advancing enemy. Capt. Lyman, commanding the artillery brigade in the Fourth Corps, had placed his batteries in most favorable positions, and from these storms of shot and shell were hurled in to the charging Rebel ranks. With the most reckless bravery still the Rebels rushed on, and when within a few hundred yards of our works our boys opened upon them so terrible a fire of musketry, that it seemed as if it were impossible for anything to live before it. But no wavering was perceived in those advancing Rebel lines. On they came to the very parapets of our works, and stuck their bayonets under the logs on our battlements. On the Columbus pike the pressure upon our lines was so great that some of Coxs and Wagners men temporarily gave way. Up to this time the brigade commanded by Col. Opdycke, of the 125 th Ohio , had been held in reserve. Col. Opdycke, by the orders of Gen. Stanley, rushed forward with his brigade to restore our broken line. The Rebels who had crawled over our works had not time to retire, and Coxs and Wagners men, who had broken away but a moment before, rallied and attacked the enemy on the flank, while Opdycke charged on the front. A desperate hand-to-hand fight ensued with bayonets and the butt end of muskets.

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A hundred Rebels were captured here and the line was restored. For tow hours and a half the battle now raged all along our lines. The men of the Fourth and Twenty-third Corps vied with each other in bravery. Rileys brigade of the Twenty-third Corps fairly covered the ground in front of it with Rebel dead. The Rebel General Adams was killed. He and his horse fell into a ditch in front of the 104 th Ohio . Seventeen distinct attacks of the enemy were repelled. At dusk the Rebels were repulsed at all points, but the firing did not cease until 9 oclock at night. At least 5,000 Rebels were killed, wounded and captured, while our loss will probably reach 1,500. We have taken from the enemy thirty flags. Some regiments, among them the Seventeenth Ohio, taking a half dozen each. General Schofield directed the battle from the fort on the north bank of the stream, where some heavy guns and the batteries of the Twenty-third Corps were placed, which did great service in damaging the enemys right wing. Nashville , Tenn. , Dec. 2, 1864 The enemy has been wary to day and has demonstrated with great caution against our outer line, which is carefully constructed and extends from river to river, with a radius of two and a half miles from the capitol, on the roads south of the city. The enemys cavalry has been in plain view all day on the Franklin pike. Just before dusk our cavalry pushed out toward the enemys line, causing him to retire. Afterward the Rebels were reinforced. They ten took up their own line at once, and threw out skirmishers. Some skirmishing subsequently occurred, neither party sustaining any loss. No Rebel infantry has yet been developed. Some firing occurred this afternoon on the left. Only a few shits were fired. The defense are being hourly strengthened, and no apprehensions need be felt for the safety of the city. Louisville , Ky. , Saturday, Dec. 3, 1864 The Journal of this city has the following: A letter from Nashville states that on Wednesday evening Captons brigade of cavalry, consisting of the 14thIllinois, the 7th Ohio, the 5th Iowa, and the 8thMichigan cavalry regiments, was surrounded by the Rebels and only escaped by the most desperate fighting. They cut their way through the Rebel lines and found General Thomas in the rear of Franklin . The same evening a train of cars was captured by the Rebels at Brentwood, nine miles from Nashville , on the Tennessee and Alabama Railroad.

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A citizens in Nashville engaged in no ostensible business have been ordered to leave the city. Six hundred and ninety-one Rebel prisoners, captured by Gen. Thomas in the battle of Franklin , arrived here last night on the train from Nashville . They will be sent forward to Camp Douglas as rapidly as possible, in order to make room in the military prisons here for further captures that may be made. Louisville , Ky. , Saturday, Dec. 3, 1864 Yesterday the rolling stock of the Louisville and Nashville Railroad was ordered hither. Today the order was countermanded. A street rumor represents that the Union forces were repulsed at Clarksville today. The story grew out of a dash of the Rebels into Gallatin yesterday, where they captured about 200 head of beeves. Our forces are pursuing, and will probably capture the raiders. Latest from Nashville Nashville , Saturday, Dec. 3, 1864 The enemy developed a regular line of battle about two miles from our works, between the Franklin and Hardin pikes. Our batteries opened about two oclock. The Rebel lines did not advance. There has been skirmishing all evening, the enemy fortifying along our front. There are indications that there will be a fight tomorrow. Rileys brigade, which captured eighteen flags at Franklin , belongs to the 4 thDivision of Schofields Corps, not to the 4th Corps, as erroneously stated. This brigade particularly distinguished itself in the fight. I have seen the flags, bloody and torn, displayed in front of Gen. Schofields quarters. The fullest security is felt in Nashville .

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Confederate newspaper account of the battle of Nashville

Richmond Daily Dispatch Wednesday, December 21, 1864 From Hoods Army We are again, and are likely to be for a week to come, dependent upon the Yankee press for news from Tennessee. Unofficial telegrams from Nashville state that they have at that place five thousand prisoners and forty-nine pieces of cannon, taken from Hood during the battles of the 15th and 16th. We are not in a position to disprove these statements, but we have repeatedly known quite as positive announcements to turn absolutely false and unfounded. Perhaps the telegraph is again to blame, as, from Stantons bulletin, it appears to have been diminishing Thomass casualties from three thousand to three hundred.

It is noticeable that Thomas sends no telegram on the 17th, and that the unofficial telegrams say nothing of what is going on, and do not tell us where Hood is. It is not impossible that matters have taken a turn, at once unexpected and unpleasant to Thomas, who, on the 16th, according to his matters have taken a turn, at once unexpected and unpleasant to Thomas, who, on the 16th, according to his own account, was driving our army down ten or a dozen turnpikes at once. Perhaps General Forrest, with his splendid cavalry, have turned up in the right place and put a sudden change upon affairs. He has a way of turning up unexpectedly, and always make his presence felt. He had had abundant time to rejoin Hood, even though he were at Murfreesboro when the fight began; and we think there is little doubt he has done so. This assurance, and the knowledge of the weight of Forrests sword and presence, together with the certain conviction that Thomas would have telegraphed Stanton had he had anything agreeable to communicate, cause us still to hope that General Hoods condition is by no means hopeless; and that his army is not, as the enemy express the hope, in danger of being crushed.

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TELEGRAMS
Telegrams related to the Battle of Franklin
Here are all the Union-Federal telegrams that took place related to the Battle of Franklin. They are in order of earliest to latest. Most of the telegrams in the Official Records are between Maj-Gen George H. Thomas and Maj-General John M Schofield (his subordinate). Nov 29th, 1 pm Pontoons down Nov 30th, 5:30 am troops across the Harpeth The first Federal troops begin arriving in Franklin shortly after this telegram. Schofield discovers all the bridges are out. Many troops, in earnest, begin to construct breastworks. Nov 30th, 9:30 am Hood cannot be held Nov 30th, no timestamp map Nov 30th, 12 noon getting in a tight place Even as late as noon on the eventual day of battle, Federal commanders do NOT expect an attack from Hood. Nov 30th, no timestamp hold Franklin for three days? Nov 30th, 3 pm Hood has a large force Hoods Army of Tennessee is now visible two miles south of Franklin, as they are spread out across roughly two miles (east-west), in front of Winstead Hill. Nov 30th, no timestamp pre-attack, trains sent to Brentwood This is the last telegram prior to the opening assault (4 pm). Nov 30th, 7:10 pm persistent attack Though just three hours into the action, the Federal estimates of casualties is remarkably accurate. Nov 30th, no timestamp glorious news

Telegram: glorious news

(Telegram.) NASHVILLE, November 30, 1864. MAJOR-GENERAL SCHOFIELD, Franklin: Your telegram is just received. It is glorious news, and I congratulate you and the brave men of your command. But you must look out that the enemy does not still persist. The courier you sent to General Cooper at Widow Deans could not reach there, and reports that he was chased by rebel

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cavalry on the whole route, and finally came into this place. Major-General Steedman, with five thousand men, should be here in the morning. When he arrives, I will start General A. J. Smiths command and General Steedmans troops to your assistance at Brentwood. (Signed) GEO. H. THOMAS, Major-General U. S. Vols., Comdg.

Telegram: persistent attack

(Telegram.) FRANKLIN. November 30th7.10 P.M. MAJOR-GENERAL THOMAS, Nashville: The enemy made a heavy and persistent attack with about two corps, commencing at 4 P.M. and lasting until after dark. He was repulsed at all points, with very heavy lossprobably 5,000 or 6,000 men. Our loss is not probably more than one-fourth that number. We have captured about 1,000 prisoners, including one brigadier-general. Your despatch of this P.M. is received. I had already given the orders you direct, and am now executing them. (Signed) J.M. SCHOFIELD, Major-General.

Telegrams: pre-attack, trains sent to Brentwood

(Telegram.) NASHVILLE, November 30, 1864. MAJOR-GENERAL SCHOFIELD, Franklin: Your despatch of 3 P.M. is received. Send back your trains to this place at once, and hold your troops in readiness to march to Brentwood, and thence to this place as soon as your trains are fairly on the way, so disposing your force as to cover the wagon train. Have all R. R. trains sent back immediately. Notify General Wilson of my instructions. He will govern himself accordingly. Relieve all garrisons in blockhouses, and send back by railroad trains last over the road. Acknowledge receipt. (Signed) GEO. H. THOMAS, Major-General U. S. Vols., Comdg. (Telegram.) HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE OHIO, FRANKLIN, TENN., November 30, 1864. MAJOR-GENERAL GEO. H. THOMAS, Nashville, Tenn.: GENERALPlease send A. J. Smiths division to Brentwood early to-morrow morning. Also please send to Brentwood to-morrow morning one million rounds of infantry ammunition, 2,000 rounds three-inch and 1000 rounds light twelve artillery. (Signed) J.M. SCHOFIELD, Major-General.

Telegram: Hood has a large force

(Telegram.) FRANKLIN, November 30, 18643 P.M. MAJOR-GENERAL THOMAS, Nashville:

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I have just received your despatch asking whether I can hold Hood here three days. I do not believe I can. I can doubtless hold him one day, but will hazard something in doing that. He now has a large force, probably two corps, in my front, and seems prepared to cross the river above and below. I think he can effect a crossing to-morrow in spite of all my efforts, and probably to-night, if he attempts it. A worse position than this for an inferior force could hardly be found. I will refer your question to General Wilson this evening. I think he can do very little. I have no doubt Forrest will be in my rear tomorrow, or doing some greater mischief. It appears to me that I ought to take position at Brentwood at once. If A. J. Smiths division and the Murfreesboro garrison join me there, I ought to be able to hold Hood in check for Some time. I have just learned that the enemys cavalry is already crossing three miles below. I will have lively times with my trains again. (Signed) J.M. SCHOFIELD, Major-General.

Telegram: hold Franklin for three days?

(Telegram.) NASHVILLE, November 30, 1864. MAJOR GENERAL SCHOFIELD, Franklin: General Smith reported to me this morning that one division of his troops is still behind. We must therefore try to hold Hood where he now is until these troops can get up and the steamers return. After that we will concentrate here, reorganize our cavalry, and try Hood again. Do you think you can hold Hood at Franklin for three days longer? Answer, giving your views; and I should like to know what Wilson thinks he can do to aid you in holding Hood. (Signed) GEO. H. THOMAS. Major-General U. S. Vols., Comdg.

Telegram: getting in a tight place

(Telegram.) FRANKLIN, November 30, 186412 M. MAJOR-GENERAL THOMAS, Nashville: Your despatch of 10.25 A.M. is received. I am satisfied that I have heretofore run too much risk in trying to hold Hood in check, while so far inferior to him in both infantry and cavalry. The slightest mistake on my part, or failure of a subordinate, during the last three days, might have proved disastrous. I dont want to get into so tight a place again. Yet I will cheerfully act in accordance with your views of expediency, if you think it important to hold Hood back as long as possible. When you get all your troops together, and the cavalry in effective condition, we can whip Hood easily, and, I believe, make the campaign a decisive one. Before that, the most we can do is to husband our strength and increase it as much as possible. I fear the troops which were stationed on the river below Columbia will be lost. I will get my trains out of the way as soon as possible, and watch Hood carefully. Possibly I may be able to hold him here, but do not expect to be able to do so long. (Signed) J.M. SCHOFIELD, Major-General.

Telegram: map
(Telegram.) NASHVILLE, November 30, 1864. MAJOR-GENERAL SCHOFIELD, Franklin:

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Your despatches of 5.30, 5.50, and Wilsons despatch, forwarded to yon, have been received. It will take Smith quite all day to disembark, but if I find there is no immediate necessity to retain him here, will send him to Franklin or Brentwood, according to circumstances. If you can prevent Hood from turning your position at Franklin, it should be held; but I do not wish you to risk too much. I send you a map of the environs of Franklin. (Signed) GEO. H. THOMAS, Major-General U. S. Vols., Comdg.

Telegram: Hood cannot be held

(Telegram.) FRANKLIN, November 30, 18649.50 A.M. MAJOR-GENERAL THOMAS, Nashville: My trains are coming in all right. Half the troops are here, and the other half about five miles out, coming on in good order, with light skirmishing. I will have all across the river this evening. Wilson is here, and his cavalry on my flank I do not know where Forrest is. He may have gone east, but no doubt will strike our flank and rear again soon. Wilson is entirely unable to cope with him. Of course, I cannot prevent Hood from crossing the Harpeth whenever he may attempt it. Do you desire me to hold on here until compelled to fall back (Signed) J.M. SCHOFIELD, Major-General.

Telegram: troops across the Harpeth

(Telegram.) FRANKLIN, November 30, 18645.30 A.M. MAJOR-GENERAL THOMAS, Nashville: I hope to get my troops and material safely across the Harpeth this morning. We have suffered no material loss so far. I shall try to get Wilson on my flank this morning. Forrest was all around us yesterday, but we brushed him away during the evening, and came through. Hood attacked in front and flank, but did not hurt us. (Signed) J.M. SCHOFIELD, Major-General.

Telegram: Pontoons down

(Telegram.) FRANKLIN PIKE, TENN., November 29, 18641 P.M. MAJOR-GENERAL THOMAS, Nashville: Please have pontoons put down at Franklin at once. (Signed) J.M. SCHOFIELD, Major-General.

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Williamson County, TN
What was the size of Franklin during the Civil War?
Franklin had a population of 2,000 in 1860, while Williamson Countys was 23,467, with 11,315 white and 12,152 slaves. Williamson County was also one of the few counties in Tennessee that had a majority of slaves. There were a couple more in West Tennessee. Franklin was smaller than Columbia or Murfreesboro in 1860. The population of Rutherford County in 1860 was 27,918. There were 14, 934 whites, 12, 984 slaves, and 190 freed blacks. Sources: Rick Warwick, Williamson County Historical Society; Fisher Library at the University of Virginia

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Prominent people in Franklin (circa 1864)?

Who were some of the prominent family names in Franklin (c. 1864)? McEwen, Ewing, Clouston, Wooldridge, Figures, Marshall, Carter, McGavock, Bostick, McNutt, Perkins, Park, Hanner Who was the mayor of Franklin in 1864? Probably John B. McEwen. He was in 1861, 62 , 63. Source: Rick Warwick, Williamson County Historical Society

Important businesses in Franklin (circa 1860)?

What kind of businesses or industries did Franklin have in 1860? The largest would have been the Spencer & McCoy Cotton & Flour Millat the end of East Main St. along with the Pugh Iron Works on 1st. Both were destroyed by Buells men in 1862. All the goods were taken from the Factory Store (Landmark Books), especially a wagon load of whiskey. Eelbeck, Priest, Wells had carriage shops. Which 2-3 businesses were the most successful then? The cotton & flour mill were the largest. The columns at the courthouse were by Pugh on First Ave. in 1858. Source: Rick Warwick, Historian, Williamson County Historical Society

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Prominent homes in Franklin and Williamson County in 1864?

How many homes or structures exist in Franklin today that were here in 1864? I count 28 or 29 in downtown Franklin and add two more if you include the Truett House and Jasmine Grove. then you could add Wyatt hall and Creekside inside the Mack Hatcher. Your favorite antebellum home in Franklin or Williamson County: no longer standing? Still standing? Everbright , Westview and the McNutt House are no longer standing. Clouston Hall and Carter House in Franklin. Sources: Rick Warwick, Williamson County Historical Society

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The Carter Cotton-Gin Must-Know Facts about the Carter Cotton Gin
Many people are familiar with the name of the famous Carter Cotton Gin that stood within 150 yards south-east of the Carter family house in 1864. I thought it would be a good idea to ask David Fraley to give us a little more detail about the Cotton Gin. What size was it? It measured roughly 36 by 36 and was 2.5 stories high but were not sure who built it. Was it completely destroyed during the Battle of Franklin (30 November 1864)? It was not completely destroyed during the battle. Some weather boarding was removed, as were other portions of it, but largely, it remained intact. Obviously, the bullet damage was substantial, but apparently there was no major structural damage. Was a new version built after the war? Lint sheds were built on to either flank of the structure, but otherwise, I believe it remained largely the same. Are there any extant pieces that still remain from the original Cotton Gin? Yes. A few poplar beams remain, and they can be seen in the Carter House visitors center. How important was the action that centered around the Cotton Gin during the Battle of Franklin? It was vital. Had that portion of the Federal line not held, I believe it would have been a dramatically different battle. The 104th O.V.I., and the units supporting it, deserve a lot of credit for holding against the likes of General Cleburnes division.

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Source: David Fraley, Director of the Carter House, Franklin, TN

The Carter Cotton Gin

Plantation negroes working at the site of a cotton gin during the civil war.

Marker near present-day site of Cotton Gin Assault

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6th MS Infantry saw action around Cotton Gin at Franklin

The 6th Mississippi Regimental flag, Company D, also known as Lowrys Rifles. The 6th was in Adamss Brigade, Lorings Division. The 6th saw action to the right of Cleburnes Division, assaulting the Federal line facing fire from Casements and Reillys Brigades. There are three known-identified 6th MS boys buried at McGavock. Its very likely there are numerous more unknown buried at McGavock as their known dead is a very low amount for Mississippi regiments, and considering the 6th MS saw action to the Union left of the Cotton Gin. Picture Credit Arms and Equipment of the Confederacy (p. 259). The casualties of the corps, reported Lieut.-Gen. Stewart, were something over 2,000 in killed, wounded and missing. Among them were many of our best officers and bravest men. Brig.-Gen. John Adams was killed, his horse being found lying across the inner line of the enemys works. The casualties of Adams Brigade were the heaviest of the division 10 officers and 34 men killed; 39 officers and 232 men wounded, 23 missing. Col. Robert Lowry took command of the brigade, which, on December 9, reported an aggregate present 1,769, effective 1,047, prisoners of war 50. Dunbar Rowlands Military History of Mississippi, 1803-1898

8th Arkansas fought at Franklin, near Cotton Gin

The 8th Arkansas fought for Govans Brigade, Cleburnes Division at Franklin. Four known-dead are buried at McGavock Cemetery. The Captain of the 8th Arkansas, Samuel L. McAllester was captured at Franklin. The colors of the 8th, below, were presented to the 8th by the women of Jacksonport, Arkansas in the summer of 1862. There is a golden embroidered inscription in the center of the flag that reads, March on! March on! All hearts are resolved on victory or death! The boys of the 8th Arkansas marched this flag into the Federal line just west of the Cotton Gin as they took fire from the 104th Ohio and the 6th Ohio Battery.

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Picture credit: Arms and Equipment of The Confederacy (p. 258)

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PHOTO GALLERIES
Photo gallery of the 2009 Battle of Franklin reenactment
There were about 100 Civil War reenactors who participated in the 145th anniversary of the Battle of Franklin today at Carnton Plantation. Here is a small selection of a few pictures during the reenactment. A full photo gallery of the event is here. Also check out my videos on my YouTube folder.

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Photo gallery of the 2009 Franklin illumination ceremony

It was a glorious evening in Franklin tonight as hundreds perhaps even thousands came out to Carnton Plantation to attend the 145th commemoration of the Battle of Franklin. 10,000 candles were illuminated and placed in scores of rows on the Eastern Flank at Carnton to honor the 10,000 estimated casualties that occurred at Franklin (November 30, 1864).

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Winter snow around the Carter House

Dec 2008

The Carter House, rear view

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The Carter House, front view

Artillery on Carter House grounds

Slave cabin on Carter House grounds

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The Harrison House blanketed with snow.

Horses in the pasture at Harrison House.

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McGavock Confederate Cemetery

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Official Reports of the Battle of Franklin

Gen. George H. Thomas report of the Battle of Franklin
O.R.SERIES IVOLUME XLV/1 [S# 93] NOVEMBER 14, 1864-JANUARY 23, 1865.Campaign in North Alabama and Middle Tennessee. No. 1.Report of Maj. Gen. George H. Thomas, U. S. Army, commanding Department of the Cumberland. [The following section of Thomas' report relates specifically to the action at Franklin on 30 November, 1864.] The withdrawal of the main force from in front of Columbia was safely effected after dark on the 29th; Spring Hill was passed without molestation about midnight, and making a night march of twenty-five miles, the whole command got into position at Franklin at an early hour on the morning of the 30th; the cavalry moved on the Lewisburg pike, on the right or east of the infantry. At Franklin General Schofield formed line of battle on the southern edge of the town to await the coming of the enemy, and in the meanwhile hastened the crossing of the trains to the north side of Harpeth River. On the evacuation of Columbia orders were sent to Major-General Milroy, at Tullahoma, to abandon that post and retire to Murfreesborough, joining forces with General Rousseau at the latter place. General Milroy was instructed, however, to maintain the garrison in the block-house at Elk River bridge. Nashville was placed in a state of defense and the fortifications manned by the garrison, reenforced by a volunteer force, which had been previously organized into a division, under Bvt. Brig. Gen. J. L. Donaldson, from the employs of the quartermasters and commissary departments. This latter force, aided by railroad employs, the whole under the direction of Brigadier-General Tower, worked assiduously to construct additional defenses. Major-General Steedman, with a command numbering 5,000, composed of detachments belonging to General Shermans column, left behind at Chattanooga (of which mention has heretofore been made), and also a brigade of colored troops, started from Chattanooga by rail on the 29th of November, and reached Cowan on the morning of the 30th, where orders were sent him to proceed direct to Nashville. At an early hour on the morning of the 30th the advance of Maj. Gen. A. J. Smiths command reached Nashville by transports from Saint Louis. My infantry force was now nearly equal to that of the enemy, although he still outnumbered me very greatly in effective cavalry; but as soon as a few thousand of the latter arm could be mounted I should be in a condition to take the field offensively and dispute the possession of Tennessee with Hoods army. The enemy followed closely after General Schofields rear guard in the retreat to Franklin, and upon coming up with the main force, formed rapidly and advanced to assault our works, repeating attack after attack during the entire afternoon, and as late as 10 p.m. his efforts to break our line were continued. General Schofields position was excellently chosen, with both flanks resting upon the river, and the men firmly held their ground against an overwhelming enemy, who was repulsed in every assault along the whole line. Our loss, as given by General Schofield in his report transmitted herewith (and to which I respectfully refer), is, 189 killed, 1,033 wounded, and 1,104 missing, making an aggregate of 2,326. We captured and sent to Nashville 702 prisoners, including I general officer, and 33 stand of colors. Maj. Gen. D. S. Stanley, commanding Fourth Corps, was severely wounded at Franklin whilst engaged in rallying a portion of his command which had been temporarily overpowered by an overwhelming attack of the enemy. At the time of the battle the enemys loss was known to be severe, and was estimated at 5,000. The exact figures were only obtained, however, on the reoccupation of Franklin by our forces, after the battles of December 15 and 16, at Brentwood Hills,

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near Nashville, and are given as follows: Buried upon the field, 1,750; disabled and placed in hospital at Franklin, 3,800, which, with the 702 prisoners already reported, makes an aggregate loss to Hoods army of 6,252, among whom were 6 general officers killed, 6 wounded, and I captured. The important results of the signal victory cannot be too highly appreciated, for it not only seriously checked the enemys advance, and gave General Schofield time to remove his troops and all his property to Nashville, but it also caused deep depression among the men of Hoods army, making them doubly cautious in their subsequent movements. Not willing to risk a renewal of the battle on the morrow, and having accomplished the object of the days operations, viz, to cover the withdrawal of his trains, General Schofield, by my advice and direction, fell back during the night to Nashville, in front of which city line of battle was formed by noon of the 1st of December, on the heights immediately surrounding Nashville, with Maj. Gen. A. J. Smiths command occupying the right, his right resting on the Cumberland River, below the city; the Fourth Corps (Brig. Gen. T. J. Wood temporarily in command) in the center; and General Schofields troops (Twenty-third Army Corps) on the left, extending to Nolensville pike. The cavalry, under General Wilson, was directed to take post on the left of General Schofield, which would make secure the interval between his left and the river above the city. Casualty reports

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Reports of Maj. Frederick A. Atwater, Forty-second Illinois Infantry, of operations November 20-30, 1864.
No. 58. Reports of Maj. Frederick A. Atwater, Forty-second Illinois Infantry, of operations November 20-30, 1864. HDQRS. FORTY-SECOND ILLINOIS INFANTRY, Nashville, Tenn., December 5, 1864. I have the honor herewith to transmit to you a report of the operations of the Forty-second Regt. Illinois Volunteer during the battles of Spring Hill and Franklin, Tenn., November 29 and 30, 1864, including a list of killed, wounded, and missing. On the morning of the 29th of November, at 6 oclock, we marched to Spring Hill, arriving at 2 p. m., and were soon placed in position on the extreme right of the Third Brigade and entirely separated from the balance of the brigade, and distant to the right about 150 yards, and, by order of Gen. Bradley, we threw up a barricade of rails in our front as best we could with one line of rail fence, and sent out a line of skirmishers, which was very soon driven back by the enemy advancing in force; we were ordered to hold said line as long as possible, but having 350 entirely new recruits, who had no drill at all and never were under fire, I did not except to hold such a line very long. The enemy soon struck us very in our immediate front, he having three lines of battle plainly visible and moving well to my right. I ordered my men to reserve their fire until the enemy came within very short range, which they did; then we poured a deadly volley into them, which caused them to retire their first line and reform, the second line advancing while the first line moved by the flank and under cover of a hill completely past the right of my of my regiment, when they commenced firing rapidly into our right and rearm and being advised twice by my superiors, the field officers of the Sixty-fourth Ohio, I finally ordered my regiment in retreat, and while doing so the colors of the regiment became separated and the sergeant and all the color guard with one of them were killed and the flag was captured by the enemy. We retreat about half a mile, when we reformed the regiment with only one flag, and the loss of some 110 in killed, wounded, and missing, as per inclosed list.* After dark the Forty-second Illinois was placed on picket and I was detailed as officer of the day, and before daylight of the 30th, the army all having passed, I withdrew the pickets an rejoined my brigade, and arrived at Franklin at noon, where we were soon placed in position on the left of the Columbia pike, with orders to throw up works and to hold them. Not having many told we could not built very good works, and consequently could not hold them long after the enemy came upon us, although we did not leave them until the right and left both gave away, and we were obliged to fall back over a level ground a distance of at least 600 yards and the enemy in very strong force closely following us and continually firing upon us; upon arriving at a main and strong line of works in our rear I halted and formed the regiment and fought as well as possible until long after dark, with a loss of 55 killed, wounded, and missing. During the fight of the 30th one of my recruits shot down a rebel color-bearer and took his flag from him, but was soon ordered by a colonel in the Twenty-third Corps to turn it over to him, which he did and during the night two more of my regiment went out in front of the works and found three rebel flags, which they brought in with one of the rebel soldiers, who was on picket, as a prisoner, but as soon as they came into our lines an officer of the Twenty-third Corps ordered them to give him the colors, and like good soldiers they obeyed the order. So far as the conduct of the officers and, men of the regiment is concerned I have only to speak of it in the highest terms. About midnight of the 30th we quietly retired from Franklin to Nashville, where we arrived at 10 a. m., very nearly tired out. I have the honor to be, sir, your very obedient servant,

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F. A. ATWATER, Maj. Forty-second Illinois, Cmdg. Regt. Lieut. BREWER SMITH, Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen., 3d Brig., 2d Div., 4th Army Corps.

Reports of Lieut. Col. Milton Barnes, Ninety-seventh Ohio Infantry, of operations November 29-30, 1864
No. 55. Reports of Lieut. Col. Milton Barnes, Ninety-seventh Ohio Infantry, of operations November 29-30 and December 15-16, 1864. HDQRS. NINETY-SEVENTH REGT. OHIO VOL. INFTY, Near Nashville, Tenn., December 5, 1864. SIR: I have the honor herewith to submit the following report of the part taken by this regiment in the recent engagements with the enemy in the vicinity of Spring Hill and Franklin, Tenn., on the 29th and 30th,respectively, of November, 1864: On the morning of the 29th, Col. John Q. Lane having been called to the command of the brigade, I found myself in command of the regiment, and marched from the vicinity of Columbia to Spring Hill. On nearing the latter place, and in obedience to orders, and learning that our advance was engaging the enemy, I double-quicked the regiment through and to the eastward of the town. The enemys cavalry were posted in heavy lines of battle in full view on the hill opposite, and were already bearing down on our skirmishers, of whom Company F, of this regiment, formed a part. Forming my line of battle quickly, and receiving an order from Col. Lane to advance, we charged rapidly down upon them, through corn-fields, over fences, and across the ravine, when the enemy began a precipitate retreat, and, with the exception of a skirmish line, soon disappeared from our immediate front, passing to the right. Our portion of the battle-line did not again become engaged during the day, but we were thrown afterward to the right in the rear of the Second Brigade, in time to check further disaster there. During the remainder of the evening observed the utmost vigilance and were busily engaged strengthening our position with whatever of means were at our command. I have the honor to report no casualties in the affair. Early on the following morning (30th) we marched to the vicinity of Franklin, arriving there about noon, and immediately began to make dispositions to resist a contemplated attack by the enemy in force. Having to change our position several times, much valuable time was lost to us in this regard. Our line was finally formed to the south of the town in the midst of an extensive open plain, where there were natural there were natural should read there were [no] natural. means of protection of defense, and several hundred yards from our main line of works on the elevation at edge of town, our position being near the right center, and to the right of the Columbia pike, two companies having been left as skirmishers on the hill half a mile beyond. We had but fairly begun to throw a temporary work, with the very limited means at our disposal, when about 4 p. m. the enemy was seen in several heavy concentric lines, extending in a semicircular direction, completely covering our front and flanks, and suddenly driving in our skirmishers, came surging across the plain with terrible and irresistible force. They struck first the forces on the left, then the front and center of the line, which soon gave way and exposed us to a front and enfilading fire. Seeing our troops on the left giving way, and having held our position until every other regiment both to the right and left had given way, we were left with the only alternative of retreat or capture. We then fell back under the enemys galling fire, with some confusion, to the main works,

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which we found difficult to enter in consequence of a heavy abatis of locust brush in their front. Most if not all our men succeeded, with great difficulty, in getting inside the works, and doubled on the line already there, which, together with the fact that the enemy, following closely in our rear, immediately commenced storming, and actually entering the works, created for a time an almost uncontrollable panic among both lines, and for a few moments all was in terrible confusion. At this juncture, critical in the extreme, our officers and men, with very few exceptions, exerted themselves to the utmost to turn the tide of battle. At this point it was impossible to recognize regimental or even company lines; but rallying and commingling with other regiments and companies, fought with great desperation, and nobly bore their part in the furious hand-to-hand encounter which soon resulted in hurling back the enemy and deciding the fortunes of the day. Thus they held their ground with the most stubborn heroism, repulsing the enemy at each subsequent assault, until about 10 p.m., when the firing gradually ceased. I received an order from Col. Lane in person to draw off the regiment and reorganize the line. In gathering them together they came from the front. I have the honor to report the capture of one rebel battle-flag, taken by Sergt. Alfred Ransbottom, of Company K. I respectfully commenced him to the proper authorities for a proper acknowledgment of his personal bravery.I have the honor also to report the capture of seven prisoners. Our casualties are as follow, viz: Officerswounded, 5; missing,1; Enlisted menwounded, 38; killed, 5; missing, 20. Total, 69. The greater portion of those reported missing are supposed to be either killed or wounded and in the enemys hands. Respectfully, M. BARNES, Lieut.-Col., Cmdg. Lieut. LOUIS L. COX, Acting Assistant Adjutant-Gen., Second Brigade, &c.

Action of 44th Illinois at Franklin, Opdyckes Brigade

No. 41. Report of Lieut. Col. John Russell, Forty-fourth Illinois Infantry, of operations November 30, 1864. HDQRS. FORTY-FOURTH ILLINOIS VETERAN INFANTRY, Nashville, Tenn., December 6, 1864. COL.: I have the honor to make the following report of the apart taken by this regiment in the battle of Franklin, November 30, 1864: When we were ordered forward the enemy had driven our forces in on the center and had planted their colors on our works. We charged forward, drove the enemy back, and replanted our colors on the works. As we did so a good many fugitives that had been driven back were rallied and went forward with us. The enemy had captured all that was left of our battery, and as we rushed forward they forced a part of the men belonging to the battery over the works with them. After being driven back the enemy occupied the outer portion of our works for over two hours, when they surrendered. Our

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colors suffered very much from the terrible fire of the enemy, the flagstaffs were partially cut away in several places, and the flags badly cut and torn. The prisoners captured numbered 83, who reported that they were all that was left of the three regiments they belonged to. Among them were the colonel and a captain of the Eighth Mississippi and Capt. G. W. Covell, Company E, Third Missouri. The two former surrendered to me, and I received their swords, and Capt. Covell surrendered to Sergt. Israel P. Covey, of Company B. They were sent to the rear in charge of Lieut. Lewis C. Mills, of Company C, who delivered them over to the colonel of an Ohio regiment in the Twenty-third Corps. I am, colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant, JOHN RUSSELL, Lieut. Col. Forty-fourth Illinois Infantry, Cmdg. Regt. Col. E. OPDYCKE, Cmdg. Brigade.

84th Indiana Infantry action at Franklin, report of John C. Taylor

HDQRS. EIGHTY-FOURTH INDIANA VOLUNTEERS, December 6, 1864. SIR: In compliance with orders received from the general commanding I have the honor to submit the following report of the operations of my regiment in the battle fought near Franklin, Tenn., November 30, 1864: About 12 m., by direction of the general commanding brigade, I formed my regiment on the north side, my left resting on the Carters Creek pike, a little to the rear of the Atkins school-house, where I threw up a temporary line of works. About 3.30 p. m. the enemy attacked the skirmish line in my front, which was soon driven into the main line of works. Having my regiment formed in rear of the works I had built, I directed them to fire upon the enemy, who was exposing two lines of battle about 600 yards to my front. I kept up a brisk fire upon the enemy for about ten minutes, which, in connection with the fire from a battery in position immediately on my left, compelled the enemy to seek shelter by moving by the left flank under cover of a small hill. I ordered my men to cease firing, which they did, with the exception of an occasional shot, which was kept up until about 11.30 p. m., at which time, by order of the general commanding brigade, I withdrew my regiment from the field. My loss in this engagement was 1 man severely and 1 slightly wounded. I have, sir, the honor to be, most respectfully, your obedient servant, JOHN C. TAYLOR, Maj., Cmdg. Regt. Col. JOSEPH BRINTON, Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen., 3d Brig., 1st Div., 4th Corps. Editorial note: Taylors statement of one wounded contradicts Thomas OR of 19 wounded.

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Col. Israel N. Stiles report, 63rd Indiana

Numbers 141. Reports of Colonel Israel N. Stiles, Sixty-third Indiana Infantry, commanding Third Brigade, of operations November 30 and December 15-16, 1864. HEADQUARTERS SIXTY-THIRD INDIANA VOLUNTEERS, Nashville, Tenn., December 5, 1864. SIR: In compliance with instructions received from Brigadier-General Cox, I have the honor to submit herewith a report of the operations of the Third Brigade, Third Division, Twenty-third Army Corps, at Franklin, Tenn., on the 30th of November, the brigade being temporarily under my command on that day, owing to the illness of Colonel Thomas J. Henderson, the brigade commander. By direction of General Cox I placed the command in position early on the morning of the 30th, on the left of the Second Brigade, and with the left resting on the river and in the following order: One hundred and twentieth Indiana Infantry, Sixty-third Indiana Infantry, One hundred and twenty-eighth Indiana Infantry, with the One hundred and twelfth Illinois Infantry a short distance to the rear in reserve. Substantial works were at once thrown up, and such portions of our front as were not already obstructed by a well-grown and almost impenetrable hedge were covered with a strong abatis made of the hedges which ran at right angles with the works. At about 4 p.m. the enemy commenced his advance on our front in three lines of battle, preceded by a strong line of skirmishers. When within shell range, Battery M, Fourth Regulars, stationed on the left and rear of the brigade, opened upon the advancing lines. The front line of the enemy soon came within range of our muskets and was repulsed. A portion of their second line succeeded in reaching that part of the works held by the One hundred and twenty-eighth Indiana, and planted their colors upon them. The color-bearer was killed, and the flag fell upon the outside. A number of the enemy succeeded in climbing over the works, and were taken prisoners. This charge of the enemy was soon repulsed, and he made no further serious efforts to drive us from our position. The battery I have already mentioned, together with a battery in the fort across the river, kept up a continuous firing upon our front till after dark, which, I have no doubt, did much to check any further attempt of the enemy to advance upon us. In the meantime the One hundred and twentieth Indiana on the left was subjected to a terrific enfilading fire, both from the enemys artillery and infantry. The regiment and its commander, Colonel Prather, in my opinion, deserve great praise for the heroic manner with which they held their position, the loss of which might have resulted in a defeat to our army. It is proper also that I should mention the stubborn and soldierly conduct of Lieutenant -Colonel Packard, One hundred and twenty-eighth Indiana, and his command, in resisting the enemy after he had reached their works. The One hundred and twelfth Illinois, Lieutenant-Colonel Bond commanding, though in reserve, was exposed to a considerable fire during the engagement, and near night-fall was ordered by General Cox to re-enforce some portion of the Second Division. The conduct of Lieutenant-Colonel Morris, commanding Sixty-third Indiana Volunteers, as well as that of the officers generally, was praise-worthy, and that of the men was made more efficient by the aid and presence of Colonel Henderson, the brigade commander, who, though suffering from illness, could not withstand the desire to be present where his command was engaged, and who was along the lines during the engagement, and whose opportunities of witnessing their good conduct were equal to my own. By direction of General Cox I withdrew the brigade, except the One hundred and twelfth Illinois, across the river at midnight. I learn that a report of the casualties and the number of prisoners taken has already been forwarded to General Cox. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, I. N. STILES,

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Colonel Sixty-third Indiana Volunteer Infantry. Lieutenant STEARNS, Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.

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Gen. Hoods Official Report of the Battle of Franklin

Report of General John B. Hood, C. S. Army, Commanding Army of Tennessee Battle of Nashville [Franklin] RICHMOND, VA., February 15, 1865. General S. COOPER, Adjutant and Inspector General, Richmond, Va. GENERAL : Forrests cavalry joined me on the 21st of November and the movement began, Major-General Cheathams corps taking the road toward Waynesborough, and the othertwo corps moving on roads somewhat parallel with this, but more to the eastward, with the cavalry under General Forrest in the advance and upon their right flank. The enemys forces at this time were concentrated at Pulaski, with some force also at Lawrenceburg. I hoped to be able to place the army between these forces of the enemy and Nashville; but he evacuated Pulaski upon the 23rd, hearing of our advance (our cavalry having furiously driven off their forces at Lawrenceburg), and moved rapidly by the turnpike and railroad to Columbia. The want of a good map of the country, and the deep mud through which the army marched, prevented our overtaking the enemy before he reached Columbia, but on the evening of the 27th of November our army was placed in position in front of his works at that place. During the night, however, he evacuated the town, taking position on the opposite side of the river about a mile and a half from the town, which was considered quite strong in front. Late in the evening of the 28th of November General Forrest, with most of his command, crossed Duck River a few miles above Columbia, and I followed early in the morning of the 29th with Stewarts and Cheathams corps, and Johnsons division, of Lees corps, leaving the other divisions of Lees corps in the enemys front at Columbia. The troops moved in light marching order, with only a battery to the corps, my object being to turn the enemys flank, by marching rapidly on roads parallel to the Columbia and Franklin pike, at or near Spring Hill, and to cut off that portion of the enemy at or near Columbia. When I had gotten well on his flank the enemy discovered my intention and began to retreat on the pike toward Spring Hill. The cavalry became engaged near that place about midday, but his trains were so strongly guarded that they were unable to break through them. About 4 p.m. our infantry forces, Major-General Cheatham in the advance, commenced to come in contact with the enemy about two miles from Spring Hill, through which place the Columbia and Franklin pike runs. The enemy was at this time moving rapidly along the pike, with some of his troops formed on the flank of his column to protect it. Major-General Cheatham was ordered to attack the enemy at once vigorously and get possession of this pike, and, although these orders were frequently and earnestly repeated, he made but a feeble and partial attack, failing to reach the point indicated. Had my

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instructions been carried out there is no doubt that we should have possessed ourselves of this road. Stewarts corps and Johnsons division were arriving upon the field to support the attack. Though the golden opportunity had passed with daylight, I did not at dark abandon the hope of dealing the enemy a heavy blow. Accordingly, Lieutenant-General Stewart was furnished a guide and ordered to move his corps beyond Cheathams and place it across the road beyond Spring Hill. Shortly after this General Cheatham came to my headquarters, and when I informed him of Stewarts movement, he said that Stewart ought to form on his right. I asked if that would throw Stewart across the pike. He replied that it would, and a mile beyond. Accordingly, one of Cheathams staff officers was sent to show Stewart where his (Cheathams)right rested. In the dark and confusion he did not succeed in getting the position desired, but about 11 p.m. went into bivouac. About 12 p.m., ascertaining that the enemy was moving in great confusion, artillery, wagons, and troops intermixed, I sent instructions to General Cheatham to advance a heavy line of skirmishers against him and still further impede and confuse his march. This was not accomplished. The enemy continued to move along the road in hurry and confusion, within hearing nearly all the night. Thus was lost a great opportunity of striking the enemy for which we had labored so longthe greatest this campaign had offered, and one of the greatest during the war. Lieutenant-General Lee, left in front of the enemy at Columbia, was instructed to press the enemy the moment he abandoned his position at that point. The enemy did not abandon his works at that place till dark, showing that his trains obstructed the road for fifteen miles during the day and a great part of the night. At daylight we followed as fast as possible toward Franklin, Lieuten-ant-General Stewart in the advance, Major-General Cheatham following, and General Lee, with the trains, moving from Columbia on the same road. We pursued the enemy rapidly and compelled him to burn a number of his wagons. He made a feint as if to give battle on the hills about four miles south of Franklin, but as soon as our forces began to deploy for the attack and to flank him on his left he retired slowly to Franklin. I learned from dispatches captured at Spring Hill, from Thomas to Schofield, that the latter was instructed to hold that place till the position at Franklin could be made secure, indicating the intention of Thomas to hold Franklin and his strong works at Murfreesborough. Thus I knew that it was all important to attack Schofield before he could make himself strong, and if he should escape at Franklin he would gain his works about Nashville. The nature of the position was such as to render it inexpedient to attempt any further flank movement, and I therefore determined to attack him in front, and without delay. On the 30th of November Stewarts corps was placed in position on the right, Cheathams on the left, and the cavalry on either flank, the main body of the cavalry on the right, under Forrest. Johnsons division, of Lees corps, also became engaged on the left during the engagement. The line advanced at 4 p.m., with orders to drive the enemy into or across the Big Harpeth River, while General Forrest, if successful, was to cross the river and attack and destroy his trains and broken columns. The troops moved forward most gallantly to the attack. We carried the enemys first line of hastily constructed works handsomely. We then advanced against his interior line, and succeeded in carrying it also in some places. Here the engagement was of the fiercest possible character. Our men possessed themselves of the exterior of the works, while the enemy held the interior. Many of our men were killed entirely inside the works. The brave men captured were taken inside his works in the edge of the town. The struggle lasted till near midnight, when the enemy abandoned his works and crossed the river, leaving his dead and wounded in our possession. Never did troops fight more gallantly. The works of the enemy were so hastily constructed that while he had a slight abatis in front of a part of his line there was none on his extreme right. During the day I was restrained from using my artillery on account of the women and children remaining in the town. At night it was massed ready to continue the action in the morning, but the enemy retired. We captured about 1,000 prisoners and several stand of colors. Our loss in killed, wounded, and prisoners was 4,500. Among the killed was Maj. Gen. P. R. Cleburne, Brigadier-Generals Gist, John Adams, Strahl, and Granbury. Major-General Brown, Brigadier-Generals Carter, Manigault, Quarles, Cockrell, and Scott were wounded, and Brigadier-General Gordon captured.

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The number of dead left by the enemy on the field indicated that his loss was equal or near our own. The next morning at daylight, the wounded being cared for and the dead buried, we moved forward toward Nashville, Forrest with his cavalry pursuing the enemy vigorously. Respectfully, your obedient servant, J. B. HOOD, General.

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Maps of the Battle

Approach of Confederate Army at Franklin (Nov 30, 1864)

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Field Works at Franklin Schofield map

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Field Works (map) at Battle of Franklin

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Merrill map of the Battle of Franklin

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Map of the Battle of Franklin showing position of Stewarts Troops

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The view from Ft. Granger, looking south?

The Federal army, under Schofield, had the huge advantage of Ft. Granger, which sat just south of the Harpeth River, and east of Columbia Pike. The picture below (click on to enlarge) shows the view from Granger. From the yellow pin designating Ft. Granger one can see Carnton at 12 oclock (about a mile away), the Carter House at 2 oclock (about a half mile away), and Winstead Hill at 1 oclock (about 2 1/2 miles away. Granger had several large guns in position during the Battle of Franklin. Lorings and Wathalls Divisions came from the southwest, crossing Carnton plantation. These Granger guns decimated these divisions from nearly a mile away.

The next map (click to enlarge) shows the Confederate Army of Tennessee as it approached the Federal lines at Franklin. Notice how the Federal position leveraged several geographic features. (1) Using the Harpeth River and the Nashville-Decatur Railroad as a natural barrier for their far left flank. (2) Position of Ft. Granger to protect that left flank. (3) The osage orange abatis also protected the far left flank, making it nearly impossible to penetrate.

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Heres a schematic of the design and layout of Fort Granger.

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West Harpeth Map from Romsey collection

Mobile, Ala. rebel defenses. McAlester, Miles D.; McGregory, Samuel E.; United States. War Department, 1895 http://www.davidrumsey.com/maps1100233-26934.html

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Map showing location of Wilsons Cavalry at Franklin (late Nov 64)

Map from Atlas for the Official Reports

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Timeline of Hoods retreat based on the ORs

THE WAR OF THE REBELLION: A COMPILATION OF THE OFFICIAL RECO RDS OF THE UNION AND CONFEDERATE ARMIES, VOLUME XLV: PP.

December 17
No time-stamp HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE OHIO, In the Field, by Maj-Gen. George H. Thomas. Reports hearing that Forrest was killed in Murfreesboro. HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND, Near Franklin, to Brigadier General R. S. GRANGER, Stevenson, from Whipple. Orders to reoccupy the railroad as far as to Decatur, details of Hoods retreat, capturing of Ned Johnsons division. HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY CORPS, Seven Miles from Franklin, to Brigadier-General CROXTON, Commanding Brigade: orders from Wilson via Beaumont to Croxton. Hatch and Knipe are in Franklin, Croxton is push along. Told to cross the Harpeth and strike the flank on Lewisburg pike. SPECIAL HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY CORPS, FIELD ORDERS, MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI, Numbers 4. Johnsons House. By order of Wilson. Orders for commanding officers for the next day, troop placements and logistics. Time-stamp 3 a.m. HDQRS. CAVALRY CORPS, MIL. DIV. OF THE MISSISSIPPI, Granny White Pike, Eight Miles from Nashville, by Brvt-Maj Gen. Wilson to BG Whipple. Says he is going to continue pursuing Hood on the road he is on, ordered Johnson to pursue via Hillsborough pike, sending Croxton and Knipe directly to Franklin pike, Hatch will strike at Brentwood. Rucker captured. Intercepts a Hood telegraph. Detail of pursuit of Hood. 3:30 a.m. CIRCULAR. HDQRS. CAV. CORPS, MIL. DIV. OF THE MISS., Granny White Pike, Eight Miles from Nashville, from Gen Wilson. Instructions for Cavalry corps detailed: instructions for Croxton, Knipe, Hatch, and Johnson. 7:30 a.m. - HEADQUARTERS DETACHMENT ARMY OF THE TENNESSEE, Granny White Pike. To Brigadier General J. McARTHUR, Commanding First Division: from Gen Smith. Orders to move out along the Granny White pike at 8 a.m. Rest of army will follow. Details on how Union army will proceed in the pursuit. 8 a.m. - HDQRS. FIRST DIVISION, DETACH. ARMY OF THE TENN., In the Field, near Nashville, Tenn., by Brig.Gen McArthur. An order to Col Hubbard to move his men at 8 a.m. on the Granny White pike in Brentwood, after the whole army unites they will march toward Franklin. 9:30 a.m. MRS. OWENS HOUSE, Wilson Pike, Four Miles and a Half South of Brentwood, Croxton Wilson. Details his position two miles farther, scouting Nolensville pike, captured 50 prisoners, Forrest on left, 2 1/2 miles from Franklin pike. Awaits orders. 1 p.m. - HDQRS. CAVALRY CORPS, MIL. DIV. OF THE MISSISSIPPI, Franklin, Tenn. To Whipple from Wilson. Says Rebels are on a great skedaddle. The last rebels passed through two and a half hours ago. Discloses placement of division. Says Rebel prisoners claim a complete rout and Tennesseans are deserting. The rebel rear guard is in position on the hills just south of here. 1:30 p.m. HDQRS. CAVALRY CORPS, MIL. DIV. OF THE MISSISSIPPI, Franklin,. To Whipple from Wilson. Says Rebels passed through yesterday morning. Mentions a surgeons view of a demoralized army (CSA). Forrest may have withdrawn to Murfreesboro. 4 p.m. HDQRS. CAVALRY CORPS, MIL. DIV. OF THE MISSISSIPPI, Near Franklin, General JOHNSON, Commanding Sixth Division: from Alexander. Order for General Johnson to continue on his road, mentions movement of Knipe and Hatch too.

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6 p.m. HDQRS. CAVALRY CORPS, MIL. DIV. OF THE MISSISSIPPI, Three Miles North of Thompsons Station, on West Harpeth. To Whipple from Wilson. Talks of destruction of Stevensons division and capture of three guns. Charges by 4th Cav., Knipe and Hatch. Great deal of night firing. Hatch is a brick. 7 p.m. - HDQRS. FIRST BRIGADE, FIRST DIVISION, CAVALRY CORPS, Douglas Church, Major BEAUMONT, from Croxton. Details his position on Lewisburg pike, taken 130 prisoners today, swam the Harpeth, awaiting orders. 7:10 p.m. HDQRS. CAVALRY CORPS, MIL. DIV. OF THE MISSISSIPPI, Johnsons House, Six Miles from Franklin. To Whipple from Wilson. Praises Knipes division for action tonight. Guns will be sent in. Army needs forage. 8 p.m. - HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND, Near Franklin, Tenn. To Gen Grant from Gen. Thomas. Talks about pressing Hoods army beyond Franklin, capturing hospitals, 1,500 wounded rebs, 250 prisoners, 5 flags, little damage to railroads, cavalry is pressing, much more detail. 9 p.m. HEADQUARTERS FOURTH ARMY CORPS, Franklin, Tenn., To Brevet Major-General WILSON, from Wood Commanding Cavalry Corps, Military Division of the Mississippi. Talks about river so swift that he could not make a bridge. Requests pontoons. 10 p.m. NASHVILLE, TENN. Tp Major T. T. ECKERT: from Duzer. Talks about Hood just able to get his transportation away. Thomas capturing 1,000 prisoners, driving Hood across Harpeth. Fields impassable for artillery. 10:50 p.m. - HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND. To Major General J. H. WILSON, Commanding Cavalry Corps, Military Division of the Mississippi; from Whipple. Approves of Wilsons course of action, mentions capturing Johnsons division, and pushing on early in the morning.

December 18
No time-stamp 18 Dec (Nashville) Chief Engineer of railroads railroad from Nashville to Franklin is open but back-end of the break on the Nashville & Chattanooga was not open. 18 Dec (Nashville) Quartermaster report Cumberland river is open, captured 450 prisoners (on 17th), have taken 5,000 prisoners in all. Hood has lost most of his artillery, at least 40 pieces. Time-stamped for 18 December 1864 5 p.m. - HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND, Near Franklin, Tenn. To MajorGeneral HALLECK, Washington, D. C.: from Gen Thomas. Says Wilson reports he attacked Rebels at 6 p.m. (the 17th). Details action. Attack made six miles beyond Franklin. 7:30 p.m. - HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND, Near Spring Hill, Tenn., from Maj-Gen. Breckinridge. Talks about continuing pursuit of Hood, 200-300 prisoners today but success in past few days. 11:00 p.m. - HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND, In the Field, by Maj-Gen. George H. Thomas. Talks about strategy for Decatur, Tuscumbia, sending gunboats up the Tennessee river, actions of CSA army from Murfreesboro to Columbia, mentions capture of Savannah.

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Historical marker 3D 17 Hoods Retreat, Dec 17, 1864

(7-06) Hoods Retreat December 17, 1864. Marker located at West Harpeth River, Columbia/Nashville Pike, south of Franklin. View is looking south

(7-06) Marker in previous photo

Source web site

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CSA Brigadier General Abraham Buford

KY Historical Marker (Reverse) Woodford Countys Civil War Generals Brigadier General Abraham Buford, 1820-1874; Confederate cavalryman; cousin of John and N. B. Buford. Graduate West Point, 1841; frontier service Kansas and Indiana terr., 1842-1846; brev. capt. Mexican War; raised, equipped a Kentucky Brig. for CSA, commissioned brig. general, 1862. Covered Braggs retreat from Ky.; in Vicksburg campaign; twice raided Western Ky. and Paducah, capturing horses and vast supplies, spring 1864; led brigade in CSA victory, Brices Cross Roads, Miss., June 1864; covered Hoods retreat after defeat at Nashville December 1864; defeated at Selma, Ala., March 1865. He lived at Bosque Bonita in Woodford Co., owning famous race horses Nellie Gray, Inquirer, Crossland, and Versailles.

December 20, 1864 December 24, 1864 Conditions in Franklin and Columbia in the wake of Hoods retreat
See December 23, 1864. . . raising their little hands in joy and crying oer yonders Genl. Forrest! Yonders Genl. Forrest! howdy Genl. Forrest. . . The scene during Forrests occupation of Columbia Letter from a Returned Columbia Refugee Correspondence of the Nashville Dispatch Columbia, Tenn. Dec., 24, 1864 I left Nashville on the morning of the 20th inst., and arrived at Franklin about sundown. After getting supper, I visited Bates Rebel hospital, where I made the acquaintance of Dr. Hill, of the 10th Tennessee cavalry, with whom I conversed some two hours. He informed me that there were between 1200 and 1500 wounded and sick Rebels in Franklin; that Hoods army was perfectly demoralized; that his whole army was down on him; that they wanted Joe Johnston, and that unless a change was made the entire army would desert him. I also conversed with a number of citizens, all of whom represented Hoods army as a fleeing mob. They did little or no damage in returning through Franklin, having pillaged stores and private houses, and laid waste and devastated everything on the onward march to Nashville. They conscripted every man between eighteen and forty five in Franklin, but succeeded in getting only one man to go with them, the balance remaining. A large number of Williamson county men deserted from Hoods army. The next morning [21st] after breakfast I set out on foot for Columbia. When I reached the pace where the battle of Franklin was fought I stopped and surveyed, and as far as I could see on both sides of the road, it looked like a vast burying ground. Getting within three miles of Columbia, and learning that General Forrest and his cavalry occupied the place, and feeling quite sore from my tramp, I concluded to stop for the night with the fond hopes of reaching home and loved ones the next morning. When morning came [22nd] I was informed that on the evening before, the Rebels had sent in a flag of truce, requesting that the Federals would not fire on them, as they had no desire for an engagement of any kind, stating that the were none left in the town, but old men, women, children and sick and wounded soldiers, which was granted and strictly complied with, until Gen. Thomas got ready to lay his pontoon bridge, which was early the next morning. The pontoon across Rutherford creek was completed late on Wednesday evening, and his forces crossed over it during the night. So on Thursday [22nd] morning a skirmish was commenced for the possession of the south bank of Duck river, which was attained in a few minutes, with the loss of one Federal and two Rebels killed. I did not hear of any wounded on either side. About eleven oclock I learned that the Rebels had evacuated Columbia, when I came to the river, but did not succeed in getting across until late in the afternoon. The pontoon bridge was completed during the night. I scarcely know where to commence in speaking of the acts of the

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Rebels during the time they held Columbia. With only a few exceptions, every storehouse in the place was broken open and robbed of its contents. Many private residences were also robbed, their carpets being torn up from the floors [Note 1 ], and but very few families were left any thing in the way of eatables. They took from my wife and children the very last mouthful I had to eat, besides every dollars worth of my stock. Every book, paper and memorandum belonging to the corporation of the city was destroyed. The dockets of every magistrate in my district were also destroyed. They entered the Masonic Hall and robbed it of all its contents, leaving not the smallest thing as a memorial that they had been there since we had gone. They also took the hall of the Odd Fellows for a hospital. They conscripted every man between eighteen and forty-five, and herded them in a livery stable. They succeeded in getting some fifteen or twenty away with them, the greater portion of whom have returned since the occupation of the town by the Federals. Not more than five or six are now out. There are but two or three who volunteered, while hundreds of Maury county men have deserted them. Nearly all the refugees who returned with Hoods army, have remained at home, including A. O. P. Nicholson. To sum the whole up in a nut-shell, they have created a perfect revolution. No one, not even the most radical secessionist, desires the return of the Rebel army. Such was the feeling of the people of this county [i.e., Maury] upon my return. Hood had done more for the Union cause than the Federal army could possibly have done, and had the Federal commanders seized upon it in a proper manner, they could easily have made Maury county an unconditional Union county. But, alas! discipline was wanted with the 4th army corps. The men of this corps were suffered to come into town, and what the Rebels left they seized, to a great extent. Last night several storehouses which had not yet been molested, were broken open and robbed by straggling soldiers of this corps. Many private houses were also entered and property, such as spoons, knives and forks, cups and saucers, etc. was taken off. About three oclock today the 24th Indiana (belonging to the 23d corps) under command of Col. Orr, entered the town to do patrol duty: and for the sake of protecting innocent women and children, he guaranteed to everyone who applied, regardless of political sentiments, a guard for their residences. He also put out a strong provost guard, with strict orders to arrest and place in the guard house, all stragglers and depredators. Things soon began to have a much more favorable aspect, and the citizens will long remember Col. Orr, Capt. Connor, Lt. Walker, and the soldiers of the 124th Indiana. Wild Jack Nashville Dispatch, December 27, 1864. Source location

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Report of Major General George H. Thomas regarding action on the 16th-17th of December 1864 in TN
George H. Thomas O.R.SERIES IVOLUME XLV/1 [S# 93] NOVEMBER 14, 1864-JANUARY 23, 1865.Campaign in North Alabama and Middle Tennessee. No. 1.Report of Maj. Gen. George H. Thomas, U. S. Army, commanding Department of the Cumberland. Read it online http://www.aotc.net/nashv-rep.htm On the evening of the 16th Dec The Corps bivouacked for the night: Knipe, Croxton, and Hatchs on the Granny White pike, and Johnson, on the Hillsboro pike, near the Harpeth River. Before daylight (17th Dec) they were in motion again; Knipes in the advance, marched through the country to the Franklin pike; Croxton crossed and marched over on the other side, through the fields, to its left; Hatch and Croxton crossed soon after at the fords above the town. At Franklin the enemys hospitals, with two thousand wounded, fell into our hands; two hundred of our own wounded, left there on the retreat to Nashville, were also recovered, together with 1,700 rations. The pursuit was immediately continued, Knipe and Hatch moving in parallel columns were directed to push rapidly forward, and endeavor to press round the flanks of the enemys rear-guard, composed almost entirely of infantry, while a strong force of skirmishers across the pike should press it continually, and compel it to form line as frequently as possible. By these means I hoped to break up their last organized force, and disperse their disorganized and flying mass they were covering. My orders were obeyed with great alacrity, but the enemy finding his flank so much endangered, retired as rapidly, but skirmishing heavily with Hatch and Knipe. Late in the evening, apparently exhausted with rapid marching, the rebels took a strong position in the open fields, about a mile north of the West Harpeth. It was then almost dark from fog and approaching night. The men of General Hatchs advance, by their rapid movements, had become so intermingled with the sullen and disheartened enemy, he began to doubt that the forces in his front were really those of the rebel rear guard. The momentary hesitation caused by this uncertainty gave the rebels an opportunity to put their batteries in position and reform their line. I immediately gave orders for Hatch and Knipe to collect their men and charge both flanks of the enemy, and directed my escort, the fourth United States Cavalry, about two hundred strong, Lieutenant Hedges commanding, to charge their centre on the pike. These orders had scarcely been given, before the enemy opened a rapid fire from their battery, not over three hundred yards from us. Hatchs battery promptly replied; Lt. Hedges, thinking that I simply wished him to ascertain the real character of the force in our front, hastily moved his regiment about, and to the front side of the road, out of the range of the rebel guns, but, at my order, as promptly resumed his original formation in, columns of fours, in the road, and dashing forward at the gallop, with sabres drawn, broke through the enemys battery. Hatchs division and Hammonds brigade, dismounted, dashed forward at the same time. The enemy, broken in the centre and pressed back on both flanks, fled rapidly from the field, withdrawing his guns at a gallop. Lieutenant Hedges, outstripping his men, was captured three different times, but throwing away his hat and raising the cry, the Yankees are coming; run for your lives, succeeded in getting away. The rout was complete, although then it was very dark, everybody pressed rapidly forward; the fourth cavalry and General Hatch, with a handful of men, in advance on the pike, and the fifth division on the right and left. General Hammond, with the tenth Indiana cavalr, Lieutenant Colonel Gresham commanding, fording the West Harpeth, a few hundred yards to the right, again struck the rebels on the flank. Pressed in all directions, the artillerymen left their guns and saved themselves as best they could; the infantry scattered in all directions. Darkness alone enabled the entire command to escape. The rebel force was found to be Stevensons division of Lees corps, under command of General Forrest, who had just returned from Murfreesboro. Source: report of Major General Thomas (web site) Cited on page 419: Reports of Committees: 30th Congress, 1st Session 48th Congress, 2nd

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Note: It was for this action Hedges was awarded the Medal of Honor. Additionally, Wilson awarded Hedges to be Captain and brevet Major for this action. I have the honor to recommend and request brevet appointments for the following-named officers: First Lieut. Joseph Hedges, Fourth U.S. Cavalry, to be captain and brevet major for conspicuous gallantry during the pursuit of Hood after the battle of Nashville, charging the enemys rear guard on the West Harpeth River, leading his regiment, capturing three pieces of artillery (May 19, 1865)

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Tour Stops on the Battle of Franklin

What is the Carter House and its importance to the Battle of Franklin?
The Carter House is now a National Landmark, located at 1140 Columbia Pike, near downtown Franklin. Historians say that this house, and its surrounding land, was the epicenter of the Battle of Franklin. Much hand-to-hand fighting took place on Fountain Branch Carters farm that late November day. The present day existing structures on the property still bear considerable damage as evidence of the intensity of the battle that day. The house itself was built in 1830 by E.B. Carter. The morning of the battle the parlor in the house was used by Union Gen. Jacob Cox as a headquarters. He did not expect Confederate commanding General John Bell Hood to assault the defended and protected works of the Federal line that crossed east-west along the Carter farm. Tod Carter, right, son of E.B. Carter, was mortally wounded not far from his own home during the fighting. His body was brought to his home and he was tended for in his bedroom where he died.

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What is the Cotton Gin and its importance to the Battle of Franklin?
The Cotton Gin site and park is just a few hundred yards southeast of the Carter House today. If there was an epicenter for the worst fighting at Franklin it was probably on this spot. Veterans of the battle called this location the slaughter pen. Because of the strategic defensive position the Federal divisions of Cox and Ruger had along now Cleburne Street, Browns Confederate division, which assaulted this position from the south, faced horrific fire and casualties. Several Confederate generals fell near the Cotton Gin: Strahl, Carter and Gist, fell on what is present-day Strahl Street; and Generals Granbury, Adams, and Patrick Cleburne fell along present-day Cleburne Street.

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What is Winstead Hill and why is it important to the battle?

Winstead Hill is a small hill on the far south of town in Franklin, about two miles from downtown itself. It was here, in the late afternoon of November 30th that Confederate commander John Bell Hood stood to examine the defensive position the Federals had established at Franklin. He ordered his troops to assault the Federal line from this position. Thus, the Army of Tennessee marched on open ground, mostly flat, for a distance of two miles, until they finally met the retreating Union Wagner brigade just several hundred yards from the entrenched Federal Army surrounding the town. Hoods subordinate generals, to the man, protested the assault, and many would die in the attempt.

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What is the Harrison House and its importance to the battle?

The Harrison House can be seen on 4081 Columbia Pike just several hundred yards south of Winstead Hill. It is a private home. John Bell Hood, commanding General of the Confederate Army of Tennessee met with his subordinate officers here about 2:30 in the afternoon on November 30, 1864, just prior to launching his assault on the Federal army position at Franklin. His generals did not want to make the assault, believing it virtually suicidal, which it was.

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What is the Lotz House and its importance to the Battle of Franklin?
The Lotz House is on the National Register of Historic Places and is located at 1111 Columbia Ave., just across the road from the Carter House. It is stop-7 on the Driving Tour. German immigrant Albert Lotz bought the original land tract from F.B. Carter and built this stately home on it. Since it was so close to the Battle of Franklin epicenter as well, the residents of the Lotz house all sought refuge with the Carter family in the basement of the Carter house.

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What is the Boxmere House and its importance to the Battle of Franklin?
The Boxmere House is on the National Register of Historic Places and is located at 903 West Main Street, a private home. Boxmere is important to the Battle of Franklin because a young teenager named Hardin P. Figuers lived here and observed the action of the battle from atop one of the trees in his yard. Hardin had a perfect view of the far right Union flank which was roughly 100 yards from his vantage point.

What is St. Pauls Episcopal Church and its

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importance to the Battle of Franklin?

St. Pauls Episcopal Church is on the National Register of Historic Places, 510 West Main Street. It was the first Episcopal Church established in Tennessee, founded in 1827. During the Civil War it was used for barracks by Union troops. Many of the pews were burned for fire wood. St. Pauls was used as a field hospital after the Battle of Franklin. The church was heavily damaged during the Civil War and when it was restored eight stained-glass windows were installed and designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany.

What is the McPhail-Cliffe Office and its importance to the Battle of Franklin?
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The MacPhail-Cliffe Office is on the National Register of Historic Places, 209 East Main Street. The small brick office was home to two prominent Williamson County doctors: Dr. Daniel MacPhail, and Dr. Daniel Cliffe. Dr. Cliffe was personal doctor for Confederate General Zollicoffer. The office also served as Major General John M. Schofield, chief Union commander at Franklin November 30th, first headquarters prior to the Battle.

What is the Old Factory Store and its importance to the Battle of Franklin?
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The Old Factory Store is on the National Register of Historic Places, 114 East Main St., now Landmark Booksellers. The Old Factory Store served as a field-hospital after the battle on the evening of November 30th, 1864. The old bridge on the Harpeth River was very close to this building. The bridge had been demolished by the Confederates before Schofields army arrived in November 30th, necessitating the Federals halting and entrenching around downtown Franklin as they did, so they could rebuild the bridge in order to get their supply wagons across the river. The delay made the big fight on November 30th a reality. The building is now owned by Joel and Carol Tomlin and is known as Landmark Booksellers. It is a very fine bookstore with new, used and rare books.

What is the Rest Haven Cemetery and its importance to the Battle of Franklin?
Rest Haven Cemetery is on the National Register of Historic
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Places, between 4th Avenue North and Hillsboro Rd. The land Rest Haven Cemetery, seven acres, was donated by an prominent Franklin lawyer in 1855. Numerous Confederate soldiers are buried here, including Captain Tod Carter, son of Fountain Branch Carter, and Dr. E.P. Sloan who died from his battle wounds at Franklin. Rest Haven is also home of the markers dedicated to the unknown Civil War soldier who was reburied in October 2009.

What is the Carnton Plantation and its importance to the Battle of Franklin?
The Carnton Plantation is a present day historic house-museum in
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Franklin, TN in Williamson County, TN. Carnton is the setting for the blockbuster novel The Widow of the South, by Robert Hicks. The first construction at Carnton took place in 1815 by Randal McGavock (1768 1843) who had emigrated from Virginia, settling in Nashville. Significant work on the home started in the mid 1820s using slave labor. Randal named the property after his fathers birthplace of origin in County Antrim, Ireland. Apparently Carnton comes from a Gaelic word cairn that means a pile of stones. A cairn can connotate a pile of memorial stones. Early on the main house was actually adjoined to the smokehouse or kitchen by a two-story wing. The smokehouse was the first structure in the propertyc. 1815. The kitchen was destroyed by a tornado in 1909. The remains can clearly be seen today and are being excavated by archaeologists ongoing. Randal McGavock (d. 1843) was a prominent local politician, even serving as Mayor of Nashville for a one-year term in 1824. Randal knew President James K. Polk and was good friends with President Andrew Jackson who stayed in the McGavock home on more than one occasion. Jackson gave a rocking chair to the McGavocks and it is one of the several original artifacts or pieces of furniture one can see when touring the home today. The home was ready for the McGavock family to permanently occupy in the late 1820s. At the time it was 1400 acres of which 500 acres was used for farming. McGavock in the 1830s had 250 hogs, cattle and sheep. Randal died in 1843 leaving his property to two sons, James and John (1815 - 1893). John took possession of the Carnton property. He continued to farm it until his death in 1893. John married Carrie Winder (1829 - 1905), who is famously known as the Widow of the South based on Robert Hickss novel.

Randal started renovating the home in the late 1840s preferring a Greek Revival style to the Federal style it was birthed from. Thus, he added a two-story Greek Revival portico and two dormers in the attic. In the 1850s McGavock added a two-story porch on to the rear of the home. It was on this porch that four Confederate
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Generals bodies Patrick Cleburne, John Adams, Otho F. Strahl and Hiram B. Granbury - were laid out for a few hours of the Battle of Franklin (November 30, 1864). There are Greek Revival touches in the interior as well, including then-fashionable wallpapers, faux-painting and carpets in most every room. Three distinct wallpaper patterns have been discovered on the third floor. The central passage downstairs appears much as it did in 1864 during the Civil War. The wallpaper design, though a reproduction, is based on a popular design for the time. The parlor also saw a Greek Revival upgrade in the form of a fireplace mantel, new wallpaper and carpeting. The china set in the dining room is original to the McGavock family and contains over 200 pieces, all hand-made, each completely unique. The clock on the mantel in the parlor is original to the family and it still works, counting the time like it did in the hours after the Battle of Franklin in December 1864. In December 1848 John married his cousin Carrie Winder of Ducros Plantation House in Thibodaux, Louisiana. The couple had five children but only two would survive past 1864. McGavock sent his slaves to Alabama in 1862 so in 1864 there were no McGavock slaves present. By the time of the Civil War ( c. 1860) the McGavocks networth was about $339,000 which is around $6 million in 2007 dollars. Among the crops the McGavocks grew in the mid-19th century in middle Tennessee include wheat, corn, oats, hay and potatoes. The McGavocks were also involved in Thoroughbred horses. Carnton became the epicenter for tending the wounded and dying after the Battle of Franklin, November 30th 1864. The home was situated less than one mile from the location of the activity that took place on the far Union Eastern flank. Since most of the battle took place after dark, from 5 to 9 pm, one can only imagine what sights the McGavocks witnessed as the fire and explosion of guns and muskets permeated the sky in Franklin on that Indian summer day, November 30th, 1864. After the battle many homes were converted into field-hospitals in Franklin but Carnton by far was the largest hospital site. Hundreds of Confederate wounded and dying were tended by Carrie McGavock and the family after the battle. Some estimates say that as many as 300 Confederate soldiers were cared for by the McGavocks inside Carnton alone. Scores, if not hundreds more, were spread out through the rest of the property including in the slave cabins. Some wounded had to simply sleep outside that night. The temperature reached below zero. More than 1,750 Confederates lost their lives at Franklin. Some 6,000 were wounded and another 1,000 were missing.
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McGavock Confederate Cemetery

Soldiers buried in McGavock

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What is the McGavock Confederate Cemetery and why is it important?

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At least 2,000 men were killed at Franklin, in just five hours. The South suffered 60-70 percent of the casualties. About 1,750 of the killed were on the Confederate side. Around 200 Union soldiers died. The percentage of men killed at Franklin-compared to the number of total men engaged ranks as one of the highest kill-rates of any Civil War battle, far bloodier than even Gettysburg. But for now appreciate this fact. The terrified residents of Franklin woke up the next morningfor those that could sleep to a ghastly sight near their beloved town. Thousands of Confederate soldiers were lying on the cold ground. Many had died in the night from bleeding to death or from the sub-zero temperatures. Making it even worse was the fact that a couple hundred of these men claimed Tennessee as their native soil. Soil that would soon serve as a blanket for eternity for these brave soldiers, some just boys. Farmers like James McNutt and Fountain Branch Carter must have been impacted for years afterwards. Their farms served as temporary cemeteries for the soldiers immediately after the battle. The Union army, whose objective was always to make it to Nashville and not fight at Franklin, evacuated during the late night of November 30th, leaving scores of their wounded and dying on the ground as well. Before they left they hastily buried as many of their own dead as they could. By the afternoon of December 1st, 1864, hundreds of wounded Confederates had already been evacuated to local field-hospitals like Carnton, and in other homes of Franklin citizens. Local churches like St. Pauls Episcopal, pictured right, were also used to care for the wounded and dying. Since John Bell Hood did not have much time, and he wanted to pursue Schofields army north, he detached some burial teams to take care of burying the hundreds of fallen Confederates at Franklin. The burial teams had much work to do and it had to be done quickly. All of the Confederate dead were identified as best they could be, by name, state, rank, and regiment. They were then placed in long rows, usually by twos, in shallow two to three foot deep graves along the main line of entrenchments. The soldiers were given wooden markers to notate their identities. A Union soldier passing by two weeks later remarked that he counted over 1,700 Confederate graves. About a year later the condition of the graves were already in poor condition. The wooden markers, now enduring their second winter, were being used for firewood and hogs and wild animals were disturbing the graves. As one might imagine, this situation was unacceptable as a permanent solution to the final resting place for the Confederate dead. So, Col. John McGavock, and his wife Carrie, graciously donated about two acres of their farm land at Carnton to be used as a permanent cemetery for the fallen Confederates at Franklin. The challenge now would be getting the hastily buried soldiers on the battlefield moved from where they were originally interred to the new cemetery at Carnton. In an ironic twist of fate, Carnton comes from the Gaelic word Cairn. It means a pile of memorial stones used to honor fallen heroes. Bids were solicited for the reburial work and a man by the name of George Cuppett, a veteran Confederate soldier with the 8th Texas Cavalry, was awarded the job to rebury the soldier-dead at a price of $5.00 per man. He had a small team helping him, including his brother Marcellus. The burial team worked for about ten weeks, from April until June 1866, reburying the dead. They took great care to keep as many of the men identified as possible. George Cuppett started a book of the dead in which the names and information on each soldier were carefully recorded. The book would be handed over to Carrie McGavock who kept it for over 40 years. Many family members of the soldiers buried at McGavock would correspond with Carrie through the following decades to gain information about their loved ones. For many years after the battle, people would travel from various southern States to Franklin in order to visit their loved-ones grave and to personally meet Carrie McGavock. Some would return year after year. One of the sadder stories related to this reburial process is that George Cuppetts younger brother, Marcellus, who was helping with the reburials, mysteriously died during the reburial project. The

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McGavocks allowed him to be buried in the same cemetery. He was buried with the Texas soldiers. Marcellus Cuppett is the only civilian buried in McGavock Confederate Cemetery. The cemetery has remained in private hands since 1866. An annual memorial service is held the first Sunday in June to honor the brave Southern soldiers. A local Boy Scout troop places flags next to each marker to honor their sacrifice. If you come to Franklin make sure Carnton is on your list of stops. Plan at least one hour for the house tour and an additional 20-40 minutes to walk through the cemetery. This guidebook is a valuable resource for your self-guided tour through the cemetery.

How many soldiers are buried at McGavock, how many are identified, and how is the cemetery designed?

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The reburial operation took place between April and June 1866. 1,481 bodies were reinterred in McGavock Cemetery. The cemetery has always stayed in private hands since 1866. It is the largest privately-owned military cemetery in the United States. The United Daughters of the Confederacy, Chapter 14, maintain the cemetery today. There were 225 soldiers placed in an Unknown sectionpictured right. Not even their state identity was even known. Another 333 unknowns are spread out in state sections throughout the cemetery, their state identity having been known, but not their names. So of the total of 1,481 Confederate soldiers buried here, 780 are identified positively. Another 143 graves have some sort of identification, genuine or otherwise. The cemetery layout is simple. Ten of the eleven Confederate States are represented at McGavock. Only Virginia is not. There are also two neutral States: Kentucky and Missouri. The entire cemetery can be leisurely walked in 20-30 minutes. Budget 30-45 minutes if you have this guidebook with you. The cemetery is basically divided down the middle by a fourteen foot walking path. The cemetery lays facing east-west. The entrance is on the far west side. Walking in, one will see the first section to the left dedicated to the states of Florida, Kentucky and North Carolina. These states had the fewest casualties: Florida 4, Kentucky 5, and NC had 2. The next section, on the left, is the Unknown section. There are 225 men buried here. There is just one large marker to honor the unknown dead. The flag pole is also in this section. Continuing down to the left side one will then find the following state sections, the number buried is indicated to the right. Louisiana19 South Carolina51 Georgia69 Alabama129 Tennessee230 Once you get into these sections, with individual plots, each row has 15 granite markers corresponding to a given soldier. The markers are well-worn but originally had the initials of the soldiers engraved on the top, as well as the plot number for that section. Many of the markers today are unreadable, thus it can be difficult to locate a given marker without a little patience and knowledge of how the cemetery is laid out. As you make your way down the entire left north side of the cemetery you will end in the Tennessee section. Cross over to the south side now, where the Texas section begins. Now, working your way back to the front of the cemetery, you will run into these state sections as you walk back toward the west: Texas89 Missouri130 Arkansas104 Mississippi424 Mississippi has more young men -424- buried at McGavock than any other state. The number of Mississippi boys reflect the brutal cost paid by Lorings Division as it absorbed Union artillery shelling on the far left Union flank. The 31st MS has the highest number of known men buried at McGavock twenty-one men.

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Carrie McGavocks labor of love . . . she is blessed!

George Cuppett wrote the names and information related to the identity of each soldier in the McGavock cemetery book (Jacobson: McGavock, pp. 39-44). After he finished the re-burials in mid 1866 he turned over the care of the book, and the dead, to the McGavocks. Wood headboards were replaced with granite markers in 1896 by the John McEweb Bivouac veterans organization. The

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ongoing responsibility of maintaining the cemetery would fall on to the able and compassionate hands of Carrie McGavock, a labor of love she shouldered until her death in 1905. The original book is on display upstairs in Carnton. It would fall to the McGavocks to care for the nearly 1,500 Confederate dead for the remainder of their lives. John died in 1893 and Carrie in 1905. Carries shepherding of the fallen of Franklin lasted 41 years. Rev. John W. Hanner was quoted in The Confederate Veteran magazine praying, mentioning about Carrie in 1905 (CV 30, p. 448): We thank thee for the . . . feeble knees she lifted up, for the many hearts she comforted, the needy ones she supplied, the sick she ministered unto, and the boys she found in abject want and mothered and reared into worthy manhood. In the last daythey will rise up and call her blessed. Today she is not, because thou hast taken her; and we are left to sorrow for the Good Samaritan of Williamson County, a name richly merited by her.

(Quoted in Jacobson:McGavock, p. 37)

Time has not been favorable to the identities of the soldiers though. Today 780 Confederate soldiers identities are positively identified, leaving some 558 as officially listed as unknown. Today, the McGavock Confederate Cemetery is the largest privately owned-maintained military cemetery in the United States. The Franklin Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy have maintained the cemetery now since 1905. Source: excerpted from the Wikipedia article (authored by Tellinghistory, the owner of this blog site)

The McGavock Cemetery Book

George Cuppett, who led the re-burial project from April to June 1866, recorded the names and identities of about 1,500 Confederate dead. He kept them the book pictured below. The book was passed on to the care of Carrie McGavock, which she kept diligently.

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Here the book is opened to the Mississippi section of boys killed at Franklin.

Burial of the soldiers right after the Battle of Franklin?

Most of the Confederate (and Union dead) were buried near and along the length of the Federal breastworks, which spanned the Southern edge of what was then Franklin, according to Jacobson;

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The McGavock Confederate Cemetery, p. 21. Union dead were placed by twos in shallow grave in long rows by their comrades without marking the identities. Many of the Union dead were later removed either by family or loved ones or by the military and relocated in graves at home or buried at the Stones River National Cemetery in Murfreesboro, TN. The Union soldiers interred at Stones River were placed there by the 11th United States Color Troops, according to Jacobson: McGavock, p. 22. However, the identities of the Confederate dead at Franklin, some 1,750, were mostly identified by burial teams the next day (December 1st). They were not buried in mass graves. Rather, soldier burial teams took great care to collect and identify their fallen comrades placing makeshift wooden markers at the head of the graves, identifying the men by name, rank, Regiment and the Company they served in. Most of the Confederate dead found initial rest on the property of Fountain Branch Carter and James McNutt. Carter had the largest section of land with killed. He also lost his own son, Todd Carter, in the Battle of Franklin. The Carter-McNutt land would be but a temporary rest until the bodies were transferred to their permanent home some eighteen months later, in June 1866. Source: excerpted from the Wikipedia article (authored by Tellinghistory, the owner of this blog site)

Condition of Confederate graves at Franklin in Spring 1866?

By the time the Spring of 1866 arrived the condition of the graves and markers of the fallen Franklin Confederate were in bad condition. Many of the wooden markers were beginning to be hard to read and some had been used as firewood unfortunately. The identities, names and stories of these brave men were in danger.

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The McGavocks of Carnton donated two acres of their property to be used as a permanent resting place for the soldiers. Citizens of Franklin began raising funds to exhume and re-bury nearly 1,500 Confederate soldiers, from where they lay on the field to the quiet field just northwest of the Carnton house. Enough money was raised to get started and a citizen named George Cuppett was placed in charge of the re-burial operation. He was paid $5.00 for each soldier. The work was done in order to have removed from fields exposed to the plow-share, the remains of all those who were buried, according to Col. John McGavock (quoted in Jacobson: McGavock, p. 24-25). George was assisted by his brother, Marcellus, and two others. The entire operation took ten weeks and was completed in June 1866. Sadly, Marcellus, just 25 years old, fell ill during the process and died. He is buried at the head of the Texas section in the cemetery today. George Cuppett wrote, My hole (sic) heart is with the brave & noble Confederate dead who fell whilst battling for their writes (sic) and Libertys (sic). (Jacobson: McGavock, p. 25) Soldiers from every Southern State in the Confederacy, except Virgina, are represented in the cemetery. Wooden headboards with the soldiers personal identification were installed, as well as footboards in 1867. Source: excerpted from the Wikipedia article (authored by Tellinghistory, the owner of this blog site)

Post-War Changes and Commemoration of the Battle: 1865-1911 Confederate Cemetery, 1866

How is the McGavock Confederate Cemetery laid out?

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Post-War Changes and Commemoration of the Battle: 1865-1911 Confederate Reunion at McGavocks Grove, 1892

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Lt. Gen. A.P. Stewarts Corp Lorings Division: Maj. Gen. William W. Loring 126 Scotts Brigade: Brig Gen Thomas M. Scott 15 27th Alabama 4 35th Alabama 2 49th Alabama 0 55th Alabama 3 57th Alabama 2 12th Louisiana 4 Featherstons Brigade: Brig. Gen. Winfield S. Featherston 68 1st Mississippi 6 3d Mississippi 14 22d Mississippi 8 31st Mississippi 21 33d Mississippi 10 40th Mississippi 9 1st Mississippi Battalion 0 Adamss Brigade: Brig. Gen. John Adams 43 6th Mississippi 3 14th Mississippi 10 15th Mississippi 15 20th Mississippi 10 23d Mississippi 2 43d Mississippi 3 Maj. Gen Edward C. Walthalls Division 90 Reynolds Brigade: Brig. Gen. Daniel H. Reynolds 16 4th Arkansas 1 9th Arkansas 8 25th Arkansas 0 1st Arkansas Mounted Rifles (dismounted) 2 2d Arkansas Mounted Rifles (dismounted) 3 Cantleys Brigade: Brig. Gen. Charles M. Shelley 17 17th Alabama 9 26th Alabama 0 29th Alabama 7 37th Mississippi 1 Quarless Brigade: Brig. Gen. William A. Quarles 57 Staff Officers 1 1st Alabama 19 42d Tennessee 13 46th Tennessee 6 48th Tennessee not present at Franklin 49th Tennessee 9 53d Tennessee 2 55th Tennessee 7 Frenchs Division: Maj. Gen. Samuel G. French 117 Cockrells Brigade: Brig. Gen. F.M. Cockrell 82 1st Missouri 8

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2nd Missouri 13 3d Missouri 15 4th Missouri 5 5th Missouri 12 6th Missouri 7 1st Missouri Cavalry (dismounted) 12 3d Missouri Cavalry Battalion (dismounted) 10 Searss Brigade: Brig. Gen. Claudius Sears 34 4th Mississippi 20 35th Mississippi 4 36th Mississippi 1 39th Mississippi 7 46th Mississippi 0 7th Mississippi Battalion 2 Ectors Brigade: Col. David Coleman 1 39th North Carolina 1 Ectors also had the following regiments but they were all detached guarding the pontoon bridge and thus were not engaged in the battle itself. 29th North Carolina 30th North Carolina 9th Texas 10th Texas Cavalry (dismounted) 14th Texas Cavarly (dismounted) 32d Texas Cavalry (dismounted) Kolbs Alabama Battery 1 Maj. General Benjamin F. Cheathams Corps 380 Cheathams Escort 1 Cleburnes Division: Maj. Gen. Patrick Cleburne 174 Granburys Brigade: Brig. Gen. Hiram B. Granbury 5th Confederate 2 35th Tennessee 6th Texas 7 7th Texas 14 10th Texas 12 15th Texas Cavalry 3 17th Texas Cavalry 0 18th Texas Cavalry 1 24th Texas Cavalry 6 25th Texas Cavalry (dismounted) 4 Nutts Louisana Cavalry (dismounted) Govans Brigade: Brig. Gen. Daniel C. Govan 3d Confederate 0 1st Arkansas 9 2d Arkansas 4 5th Arkansas 2 6th Arkansas 15 7th Arkansas 8 8th Arkansas 4 13th Arkansas 0

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15th Arkansas 0 19th Arkansas 1 24th Arkansas 0 Lowreys Brigade: Brig. Gen. Mark P. Lowrey (Franklin) 3d Mississippi Battalion 8 5th Mississippi 19 8th Mississippi 26 32d Mississippi 11 16th Alabama 6 33d Alabama 8 45th Alabama 4 Browns (Cheathams Old) Division: Maj. Gen. John C. Brown 177 Gordons Brigade: Brig. Gen. George W. Gordon 51 11th Tennessee 9 12th Tennessee 5 13th Tennessee 5 29th Tennessee 13 47th Tennessee 8 51st Tennessee 9 52nd Tennessee 0 154th Tennessee -2 Gists Brigade: Brig. Gen. States Rights Gist 55 2d Battalion Georgia Sharpshooters 0 8th Georgia Battalion 5 46th Georgia 9 65th Georgia 4 16th South Carolina 22 24th South Carolina 15 Strahls Brigade: Brig. Gen. Otho F. Strahl 29 4th Tennessee 8 5th Tennessee 3 19th Tennessee 6 24th Tennessee 1 31st Tennessee 5 33d Tennessee 0 38th Tennessee 3 41st Tennessee 3 Carters Brigade: Brig. Gen. John C. Carter- 42 1st Tennessee 1 4th Tennessee (provisional) 0 6th Tennessee 3 8th Tennessee 6 9th Tennessee 5 16th Tennessee 13 27th Tennessee 0 28th Tennessee 5 50th Tennessee 9 Bates Division: Maj. Gen. William B. Bate 28 Staff Officers 1 Jacksons Brigade: Brig. Gen. Henry R. Jackson 14 1st Confederate 5

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1st Battalion Georgia Sharpshooters 0 25th Georgia 2 29th Georgia 6 30th Georgia 1 66th Georgia 0 Smiths Brigade: Brig. Gen. Thomas B. Smith 10 2d Tennessee 1 10th Tennessee 0 20th Tennessee 1 37th Tennessee 1 37th Georgia 6 4th Battalion Georgia Sharpshooters 1 Finleys Brigade: Jesse J. Finley 3 1st Florida 1 3d Florida 0 4th Florida 0 6th Florida 0 7th Florida 2 1st Florida Cavalry (dismounted) 0 Lt. Gen. Stephen D. Lees Corps 55 Johnsons Division: Maj. Gen. Edward Johnson 52 Manigaults Brigade: Brig. Gen. Arthur M. Manigault 6 24th Alabama 0 28th Alabama 0 34th Alabama 1 10th South Carolina 3 19th South Carolina 2 Deass Brigade: Brig. Gen. Zachariah C. Deas 4 19th Alabama 1 22d Alabama 0 25th Alabama 0 39th Alabama 2 26th/50th Alabama Brantleys Brigade: Brig. Gen. William F. Brantley 19 24th Mississippi 6 27th Mississippi 3 29th Mississippi 2 30th Mississippi 8 34th Mississippi 0 Sharps Brigade: Brig. Gen. Jacob H. Sharp 23 7th Mississippi 2 9th Mississippi 2 10th Mississippi 10 41st Mississippi 8 44th Mississippi 1 9th Battalion Mississippi Sharpshooters 0 Claytons Division: Maj. Gen. Henry D. Clayton 2 Gibsons Brigade: Brig. Gen. Randall L. Gibson 2 1st Louisiana

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4th Louisiana 13th Louisiana 1 16th Louisiana 19th Louisiana 1 20th Louisiana 25th Louisiana 30th Louisiana 4th Lousiana Battalion 14th Lousiana Battalion Sharpshooters Stovalls Brigade: Brig. Gen. Marcellus A. Stovall 40th, 41st, 42d, 43d, 52d Georgia Holtzclaws Brigade: Brig. Gen. James Holtzclaw 18th, 32d, 36th, 38th, 58th Alabama Standfords Mississippi Battery Ma.j. Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrests Cavalry Corps 11 CHALMERs Division: Brig. Gen. James R. Chalmers 2 Ruckers Brigade: Col. Edmund W. Rucker 1 7th Alabama Cavalry 5th Miss Cavalry 7th Tenn Cavalry 12th Tenn Cavalry 14th Tenn Cavalry 15th Tenn Cavalry 1 Cavalry Forrests Regiment Tenn Cavalry Biffles Brigade: Col. Jacob B. Biffle 1 4th Tenn Cavalry 1 10th Tenn Cavalry BUFORDs Division: Brig. Gen. Abraham Buford 2 Bells Brigade: Col. Tyree H. Bell 2d, 19th, 20th, 21st Tenn Cavalry; Nixons Tenn Cavalry Regiment Crosslands Brigade: Col. Edward Crossland 2 3d Kentucky Mounted Infantry 1 7th Kentucky Mounted Infantry 8th Kentucky Mounted Infantry 1 12th Kentucky Mounted Infantry 12th Kentucky Cavalry Hueys Kentucky Battalion JACKSONs Division: Brig. Gen. William H. Jackson 7 Armstrongs Brigade: Brig. Gen. Frank C. Armstrong 4 1st Miss Cavalry 2d Miss Cavalry 28th Miss Cavalry 4 Ballentines Miss Regiment

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Rosss Brigade: Brig. Gen. Lawrence S. Ross 3 3d Texas Cavalry 3 5th Texas Cavalry 6th Texas Cavalry 9th Texas Cavalry 1st Texas Legion ARTILLERY Mortons Tennessee Battery, Slocumbs Louisiana Battery

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4th Missouri saw action against Federal Brigades of Reilly and Casement
The 4th Missouri carried this flag which was presented to them in April of 1862 in Springfield, Missouri. The 4th fought for Cockrells Brigade, Frenchs Division alongside the: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 6th Missouri Infantry, and the 1st Missouri Cavalry (dismounted) and 3rd Missouri Cavalry Battalion (dismounted). Cockrells Brigade fought to the immediate Confederate right of Cleburnes Division, assaulting the Federal line at Franklin where the Union Brigades of Reilly and Casement came together.

Picture credit: Arms and Equipment of the Confederacy (p. 260). There are five known-identified 4th MO soldiers buried at McGavock Confederate Cemetery, a light number compared to the other infantries it fought with. It is likely that there are several 4th MO boys buried as unknowns at McGavock.

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Adjutant Robert B. Hurt, Jr., 55th TN is buried in Tennessee Section 51, plot #2.
Adjutant Robert B. Hurt, Jr., 55th TN is buried in Tennessee Section 51, plot #2.

According to military records, Hurt enlisted when he was eighteen years old, as a private in the 6th TN Infantry, Company H (Southern Guards), in Jackson, TN, in May 1861. In October 1863 Hurt became an adjutant for the 46th/55th TN Infantry at Mobile, Alabama. His regiment joined Quarles Brigade in the defense of Atlanta. He somehow managed to escape the disaster at Ezra hurch his regiment saw, however, he would not be so lucky at Franklin (30 November 1864). The commanding officer of the 55th TN Maj. Joseph E. McDonald also went down with Hurt. Source for picture: Portraits of Conflict: A Photographic History of Tennessee in the Civil War, McCaslin, 2007: p. 240.

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6th TN soldier, Thomas Lindsay Murrell killed at Franklin, buried at McGavock Cemetery
Thomas Lindsay Murrell fought for the 6th TN and was killed at Franklin (Nov 30, 1864). He is buried in the TN section #52, plot #7 at McGavock Confederate Cemetery.

George W. McDill was a member of the 9th Tennessee Infantry. He wrote his sister, heartbroken, recounting the toll the Battle of Franklin had on him personally.
The battle of Franklin was one of the great trials of my life. Uncle John McCreight [TN section 62, plot #160], brother William, Calvin McQuiston [TN section 62, plot #21] and Al Templeton [Tn section 62, plot #158] , all killed. I was the only one of the old mess, that was in the ranks that was left. There were four of us that formed a file. Uncle John stood tall, marched at the head of the company. We had stood side by side in hard fought battles and marched side by side in many a long march, but after the battle when we were ordered to fall into line and march to Nashville, I looked around for my old comrades but they were gone. I shed tears and wished I had died with them. Source: The McGavock Confederate Cemetery, Jacobson, p. 19-20.

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Russell and Gray, uncle-nephew with the 6th Arkansas buried side by side
John L. Russell fought with the 6th Arkansas Company C., at Franklin. He was part of Cleburnes Division, Govans Brigade. Company C was known as the Dallas Rifles. The 6th Arkansas also fought with the 2nd-15th, 5th-13th, 7th, 8th, and 19th-24th Arkansas regiments. This regiment saw heavy action around the Cotton Gin at Franklin.

Forty-three of Govans Brigade are buried at McGavock, fifteen of those are from the 6th Arkansas; the most of all the Arkansas regiments. Speaking of the action the Arkansas regiments saw at Franklin, including Russells 6th, Jacobson writes: Rebel troops, likely from Cleburnes Division, pounced on the batterys four guns [i.e., the guns of the 1st Battery, Kentucky Light Artillery] and hurriedly began turning them around to fire on the Federals. But the Confederates had a serious problem on their hands. When the Yankee artillerists had bounded away, they took with them the friction primers needed to fire the rifled guns. The crafty Southern infantrymen looked to improvise. A Federal officer nearby saw them pouring gunpowder from their musket cartridges into the vent holes.

Frank Gray and John Russell of Co. C. 6th Arkansas Infantry. Twenty Nine year old John Russell was the Uncle of 21 year old Frank Gray. They are buried side by side in the Arkansas Section, Grave 12 & 11 respectfully. Source attribute for this info: T. Burgess.

Extra notes: According to this web site: John L. Russell was a private when he enlisted on 3 June 1861 at Little Rock, Arkansas; in the Dallas Rifles. He was transferred from Co I, 30 June 1862. Russell was captured 10 October 1862 at Harrodsburg, KY. Then sent to Vicksburg, MS for exchange 5 Dec 1862. He was 26 years old when he was exchanged 22 Dec 1862.

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Pvt. John D. Jones, 39th MS, was killed at Franklin

Pvt. John D. Jones was a member of the 39th MS Infantry, Sears Brigade, Frenchs Division. He was killed at Franklin and is buried in Mississippi section 23; plot #30. The 39th MS was in the Sears Brigade. Sears was behind Cockrells Brigade as the two French Division brigades assaulted the Federal line right at the center of the Carter Gin action.

Picture credit: The Confederate Army 1861-1865: South Carolina and Mississippi, p. 37

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Five 13th Tenneseeans rest at McGavock

Major Williams J. Crook, 13th Tennessee Infantry, was lucky enough to survive the Battle of Franklin. The 13th was part of Vaughans Brigade, under Brig Gen George B. Gordon. The 13th TN fought with the 11th, 12th/47th, 29th and 51st/52nd TN Infantries at Franklin. The 13th TN was on the furthest right of the advancing Gordon Brigade, just west of the Columbia Turnpike. Gordons men overtook Wagners (Union) men as they retreated back behind the Federal line in the opening battle sequence. Once reaching the Federal line in front of the Fountain Branch Carter farm, Gordons Brigade and he 13th TN met fierce resistance from Opdyckes and Stricklands Brigades. There was brutal hand-to-hand fighting here. This hat was worn by Crook during the Civil War. Picture credit: Arms and Equipment of the Confederacy, (p. 168)

Five of Crooks fellow regimental comrades 13th Tennesseans rest peacefully from the guns at McGavock Cemetery in Franklin.

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Lt. Robert B. Hendricks, Henry County native, fought for the 46th/55th TN Infantry, mortally wounded at Franklin
Lt. Robert B. Hendricks, a Henry County native, fought for the 46th/55th TN Infantry. Originally from Henry County, TN, Hendricks enlisted as a private in Company K, 46th TN at Paris, TN in November 1861. He was captured at Island No. 10 in 1862 and he spent months in prison at Camp Chase and Johnsons Island before he was exchanged. Later when his old regiment was re-organized he became a lieutenant in his old company. When the 46th was sent to Port Hudson in 1863 it merged with the 55th TN. These two regiments 46th/55th served together the rest of the war. Having barely escaped at Ezra Church (Georgia), Hendricks fought at Franklin (November 1864). He fell with many other boys from the 46th/55th, including Captain Pleasant M. Hope and his brother William. This regiment was 250 before Franklin and only 25 answered the call after. Hendricks was mortally wounded at Franklin and died on December 2nd at the age of 32. He was survived by his wife Sarah J. Warnick and two daughters. According to historian T. Burgess, Lt. Robert B. Hendricks is buried in the McGavock CSA Cemetery, Tn. Section 52, Grave #14. Historian Eric A. Jacobson writes that William L. Hope is buried in that plot.

Picture credit: Portraits of Conflict; p. 231.

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424 Mississippi boys lie in McGavock

More Confederate soldiers from Mississippi lie at McGavock than any other State represented. These boys assume sections 22-50. The number of Mississippi boys reflect the brutal cost paid by Featherstons and Scotts brigades as they absorbed Union artillery shelling on the far left Union flank.

The 31st MS regiment has the highest known number of men buried at McGavock, twenty-one. The 31st MS was part of Featherstons Brigade, BG Winfield S. Featherston, fighting also with the 3rd, 22nd, 31st, 33rd, 40th Miss., 1st Miss., Battalion. Click here to see a large map of the Battle of Franklin, with an enlarged map of the Eastern flank.

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Regarding the action the Mississippi boys saw . . . Stiles and Casements men found a thick hedge of osage about fifteen yards south of their position, an almost perfect natural abatis. They went to work cutting some of it down and using the refuse to extend its reach farther west until most of their front was covered by the prickly limbs. Along the line the boys topped the earthen walls with head logs for added protection. . . . Only a fool would attack such a position of strength. - Patrick Brennan, The Battle of Franklin, North & South magazine, January 2005, Vol. 8., No.1: page 32. Near the Harpeth River, Major General William Lorings troops could begin to see the looming Federal line protecting Reillys division. Bufords dismounted troopers and Brigadier General Winfield Featherstons Mississippians advanced between the river and the Lewisburg Pike, their line bisected by the Central Alabama Railroad. To their left, the Alabamians of Brigadier General Thomas Scotts brigade had fallen behind as they guided on the pike, the enemy artillery in Fort Granger contesting their advance. Suddenly, at a range of two hundred yards, the Federal artillery supporting Reillys line exploded, followed quickly by riflery from Israel Stiles and James Casements brigades, six regiments of battle-tested

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Indianans. In a blinding flash, the Confederate battle line shivered as Federal iron tore through the rebel front. Of the carnage, one Confederate survivor remembered, Our troops were killed by whole platoons; our front line of battle seemed to have been cut down by the first discharge, for in many places they were lying in their faces in almost as good order as if they had lain down on purpose.

Featherstons boys recoiled from the impact then pressed for war, but fifty feet from the Yankee line they ran into the impenetrable hedge of osage. Grown to a stinging thickness by the locals to control cattle, the hedge line now provided a perfect barrier against the rebel assault, too high to surmount and too dense to winnow. The Mississippians came to a halt, searching frantically for a way through the natural abatis. As they did, they became little more than sitting ducks for the Indianans across the way. Only near the opening at the pike were the Yankees slightly tested. A pitifully small set of survivors planted two Mississippi flags on the earthworks, but they were almost immediately killed or captured. One survivor described it as a tremendous deluge of shot and shell . . . seconded by a murderous sheet of fire and lead from the infantry behind the works, and also another battery of six guns directly in our front. It was, he said, a scene of carnage and destruction fearful to behold. Featherstons right-most regiments crawled along the ground trying to find another way through the obstructions, but when they curled into the railroad cut marking Stiles left, the 120th Indiana plastered their van with musketry. Farther north, Battery M, 4th U.S. Artillery, began to spray the cut with canister, while Cockerills gunners in Fort Granger added their own plunging fire. Even a battery east across the Harpeth weighed in. Caught in the maelstrom were Bufords troopers, belly down on the banks of the Harpeth trying to escape the murderous sweep.

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- Patrick Brennan, The Battle of Franklin, North & South magazine, January 2005, Vol. 8., No.1: pages 39-40.

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Hope brothers both fought and died together at Franklin, for 46th TN, Company D
The 46th TN fought with Quarles brigade, Walthalls division, AOT at Franklin. The 46th TN fought alongside the 1st Alabama; 42d, 48th, 49th, 53d, 55th Tennessee at Franklin. McGavock records show: Lt. William L. Hope (# 14) buried in section 52 TN. He is listed as a LT., in the 46th TN, Company D., Quarles brigade. (Marker right) also Captain Pleasant M. Hope (#33) with the 46th TN, Company D, Quarles brigade. Marker below.

These are the only two Hopes listed in the 46th by CWD. According to Eric A. Jacobson, For Cause and Country (2006); p. 315-16; William and Pleasant were brothers. Jacobson also includes a touching letter from Pleasant wrote to his infant daughter, whom he never saw.

April 25, 1864

(Source: The Carter House Archives)

It is with pleasure and delight that I write you a few lines, which will be the first letter you ever received, and one too which I hope you will preserve until you can read it. By the misfortunes of war, I have been separated from your Momma, but by the blessings of God, I hope to soon return to you, never more to leave you, until death shall separate us. My dear and only child, be a good girl, ever love and obey your affectionate Momma, and dont forget your first letter writer, who has not nor never will forget you, who daily prays to God, in his infinite mercy, to spare, bless and protect you amid the troubles of this world, and should you live to be old, may God bless you and prepare your soul in this life to go to that happy world after death. Your father, P.M. Hope

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Memorial Services held at McGavock Confederate Cemetery

June 2008

We all drank from the same canteen Pvt. Miles OReilly

Confederate reenactor Robert Brooks read the poem - The Same Canteen by Civil War poetsoldier Miles OReilly, during the 2008 McGavock Cemetery memorial service.

Here are the words to the poem. There are bonds of all sorts in this world of ours, Fetters of friendship and ties of flowers, And true lovers knots, I ween; The girl and the boy are bound by a kiss, But theres never a bond, old friend, like this, We have drank from the same Canteen! It was sometimes water, and sometimes milk, And sometimes apple-jack fine as silk;

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But whatever the tipple has been We shared it together in bane or bliss, And I warm to you, friend, when I think of this, We drank from the same Canteen! The rich and great sit down to dine, They quaff to each other in sparkling wine, From glasses of crystal and green; But I guess in their golden potations they miss The warmth of regard to be found in this, We drank from the same Canteen! We have shared our blankets and tents together, And have marched and fought in all kinds of weather, And hungry and full we have been; Had days of battle and days of rest, But this memory I cling to and love the best, We drank from the same Canteen! For when wounded I lay on the center slope, With my blood flowing fast and so little hope Upon which my faint spirit could lean; Oh! then I remember you crawled to my side, And bleeding so fast it seemed both must have died, We drank from the same Canteen!

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Pvt. Miles OReilly As Mr. Brooks read the poem the reenactors in attendance all drank from the same canteen.

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Confederate memorial service at McGavock Carnton

Scores of people came out to the McGavock Confederate Cemetery at the Carnton plantation in Franklin, Tennessee, Sunday June 1st at 2 p.m., to commemorate the service and sacrifice that some 1,500 Confederate soldiers made on November 30, 1864, during the Battle of Franklin. This is an annual event hosted by The Daughters of the Confederacy. Boy Scouts Troop #137serves the event by placing flags near every headstone.

Fourteen Confederate reenactor soldiers (the 46th Tennessean Color Guard ) attended and gave a 21gun salute to the nearly 1,500 Confederate-dead soldiers who are buried at McGavock. The 46th Tennessee Infantry was also specially honored.

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The service was well-attended with probably nearly 75 people in attendance.

Outgoing Director of the Carter House, Thomas Cartwright, was the key-note speaker. He cited from memory several letters and accounts of soldiers who fought and died at Franklin. Cartwright cited the bravery and sacrifice of such men as Colonel Michael Farrell from 15th Mississippi.

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Jim Drury, was the lone pipe musician, with the TN Scots Pipe Band. Drury ; the reenactors into the cemetery to begin the service with overcast skies and he walked singularly down the 14 feet path of the cemetery to end the service playing the well-known hymn Amazing Grace. Many more pictures of the event can be found here.

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Annual memorial service for Confederate dead brings out scores of people
Scores of people came out to the McGavock Confederate Cemetery at the Carnton plantation in Franklin, Tennessee, Sunday June 1st at 2 p.m., to commemorate the service and sacrifice that some 1,500 Confederate soldiers made on November 30, 1864, during the Battle of Franklin. This is an annual event hosted by The Daughters of the Confederacy. Boy Scouts Troop #137serves the event by placing flags near every headstone.

Fourteen Confederate reenactor soldiers attended and gave a 21-gun salute to the nearly 1,500 Confederate-dead soldiers who are buried at McGavock. The 46th Tennessee Infantry was also specially honored.

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The service was well-attended with probably nearly 75 people in attendance.

Outgoing Director of the Carter House, Thomas Cartwright, was the key-note speaker. He cited from memory several letters and accounts of soldiers who fought and died at Franklin. Cartwright cited the bravery and sacrifice of such men as Colonel Michael Farrell from 15th Mississippi.

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Jim Drury, was the lone pipe musician, with the TN Scots Pipe Band. Drury ; the reenactors into the cemetery to begin the service with overcast skies and he walked singularly down the 14 feet path of the cemetery to end the service playing the well-known hymn Amazing Grace. Many more pictures of the event can be found here.

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June 7, 2009
Memorial Service at McGavock Confederate Cemetery held today
The UDC hosted the annual memorial service for McGavock Confederate Cemetery today. Senator Mark Norris shared some remarks. Here are some photos of the event (see the full gallery here).

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Photo gallery of McGavock and Carnton subjects

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