Civil War: The Battle of Franklin
The Battle of Franklin took place on Wednesday, November 30, 1864 from 4-9 p.m., this battle is known to many historians as the five bloodiest hours of the American Civil War. We will be stepping back into history looking at two historic landmarks still standing from this battle, the Carter house and Carnton Plantation.
"Franklin is the blackest page in the history of the War of the Lost Cause. It was the bloodiest battle of modern times in any war. It was the finishing stroke to the Independence of the Southern Confederacy. I was there. I saw it." --Sam Watkins, 1st Tennessee Infantry
Franklin had always been a
small community town in Tennessee. The population was very
small and everyone in the town knew everyone. The town had
been a federal (Union) military post since the fall of
Nashville in early 1862.
In the late summer of 1864, Confederate President, Jedderson
Davis replaced commander Joseph E. Johnston with John Bell
Hood, who was well known for his excellent record with his
"Texas Brigade." With this new position, Hood began to
formulate his "Tennessee Campaign of 1864" with the main
goal to drive Sherman away from Atlanta and Robert E. Lee's
forces.
On the summer day of Wednesday, November 30, 1864 American
history was about to be made. The Confederacy under Hood
marched north from Spring Hill, Tennessee in pursuit of
fleeing Federal forces. General Hoods vision was to destroy
the Union Army before it had reached Nashville.
One of the area's the Battle of Franklin took place was at the Carter family home.
The Federal Army had
arrived in Franklin approximately around 1 am on the 29th.
Brigadier General Jacob Dolson Cox led the operation and
woke up the Carter family, commandeering their home as his
headquarters. By 2 pm Hood had made plans for a frontal
assault. By 2:30 pm a conference was held at the Harrison
House. Strong objections were voiced from Hood's commanders.
General Cheatham said, "I don't like the looks of this
fight, as the enemy has a good position and is well
fortified." Generals Cleburne and Forrest (cavalry) knew
they would be flirting with disaster. But Hood would not be
dissuaded. As Cleburne mounted his horse to leave, Hood gave
strict orders for the assault. Cleburne responded, "We will
take the works or fall in the attempt." The Army of
Tennessee knew this assault on the town of Franklin would be
suicidal. They bravely advanced toward the Carter House with
their heads held high.
The fighting soon became brutal and fiendishly savage, with
men bayoneted and clubbed to death in the Carter yard. A
Confederate soldier was bayoneted on the front steps of the
Carter House. Men were clubbing, clawing, punching, stabbing
and choking each other. The smoke from the canons and guns
was so thick that you could not tell friend from foe.
Photo Tour of how The Battle of Franklin Appears Today
Facts
The Federal (Union) Army consisted of 22,000 infantry / approximately 5,000 cavalry
Federal Casualties - 2,500 men
The Confederate Army of Tennessee consisted of 20,085 infantry / 5,000 cavalry
Confederate Casualties - 7,000 men
Called "The Gettysburg of the West," Franklin was one of the few night battles in the Civil War. It was also one of the smallest battlefields of the war (only 2 miles long and 1 1/2 miles wide). The main battle began around 4:00 pm and wound down around 9:00 pm.
In the spring of 1866, the McGavock Family of Franklin donated 2 acres near their home, Carnton, to establish a Confederate Cemetery where 1,496 soldiers are laid to rest.
Source: Historical information on this page, from The Carter House
