The Carter House Today

Story and Photos By Lennon Parker

I had the honor to tour the restored Carter home that was purchased by the state in 1951. The home had been restored to the way it originally appeared during the Battle of Franklin featuring many family items that were in the home such as furniture, dolls, silverware and different odds and ends. After being restored the state opened the home to the public in 1953.

While walking on these grounds I could feel that these were not ordinary grounds that I walk on everyday, but grounds that had a story, a story of blood shed, a family at fear, men loosing legs, arms, men fighting with every ounce of energy, this was indeed hallowed grounds. Five hours of war and results were 2,500 federal casualties and 7,000 confederate casualties.

Pictured is the Carter home, which was built in 1830 by Fountain Branch Carter, and was in use by three generations of his family.

Like mentioned above, this home was the command post of General Jacob Dolson Cox, federal field commander of Schofield's delay in action.

The hottest fighting took place just east and south nearby. Captain Theodoric Carter, CSA, a son of the family, was mortally wounded.

Pictured is kitchen which can be found on the back of the house.

It's hard to tell in this photo, but on the left side of the kitchen you can see bullet holes from the battle. Most likely caused from minie balls.

Pictured is the inside of the kitchen. All the furniture pictured is original and was owned by the Carter family, not a reproduction.

It's possible, the kitchen table pictured was used as an operating table for the wounded. When the home was turned into a hospital after the battle it was common to use doors and tables for operating on the injured.

Pictured is an original door on the back of the Carter home.

A soldier was trying to find safety so he stood right between the doorway and kept kicking with his foot below the door to get in while being shot at. You can see a bullet hole to the left. If you stick your finger in the hole you can still feel the bullet. The soldier did make a big enough hole in the door and crawled in for safety.

After the battle Mr. Cater found material by the smoke house and patched the door, which is still holding till this day.

Pictured is the entrance into the basement. During the five hours of fighting, the Carter Family took refuge here.

Pictured of just one of the areas inside the basement where 23 men, women and children (many under the age of 12) were safely protected while the horrible cries of war rang out above them.

Pictured outside the basement entrance at the back of the home is entrance into the bedrooms. This is where its said Tod Carter died with the last words, home.. home.. home.

Also, is more scars from the battle on these walls. I was amazed that all the damages were still on the homes and not fixed.

Again, many of these holes you can stick your finger in and feel the bullet.

A view of the backyard. The land looks very peaceful today, but holds the voices of those soldiers who lost their lives during those five bloody hours.

Pictured is the Carter house office.

Sometime before 1884 the office was removed from its original location (its back in its spot now) beside the smoke house and set at the end of the ell, and near the well. The Blue and Gray veterans found it at the time of the fiftieth anniversary of the battle of Franklin.

The back of the Carter house office which was riddled by minie balls and one cannon ball during the battle.

This is the only building still standing with this much damage from the Civil War.

Pictured is the old Carter Smoke house that also bears scars made by both Union and Confederate armies.

On its south wall are those made by Confederate minie balls. On its east wall are the peculiar comet-shaped marks made by Union soldiers.

Years after the battle at least 30 minie balls were found under the old shingles of the smoke house roof.

The cabin pictured was given to the property in the 60s and is from the civil war era that was originally standing somewhere in Franklin.

A cannon used in the battle.

The Carter home wale. Anyone up for a drink of water?

Another cannon used in the battle.

The two cannons sit still on the property in silence today, but the cries of those soldiers from that battle still remain.

If you are ever visiting Tennessee, I would recommend checking out this home. The staff are friendly and are all very educated with the property. For more information about the Carter home and how to visit check out their Web site, www.carter-house.org