What was the size of Franklin during the Civil War?

October 16, 2009 in Franklin, Interview, Williamson County (TN) | Tags: Franklin TN

Franklin had a population of 2,000 in 1860, while Williamson County’s 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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Summary of the Battle of Franklin

The Battle of Franklin was fought on November 30, 1864 in Franklin, Tennessee; in Williamson County. John Bell Hood's Army of Tennessee (around 33,000 men) faced off with John M. Schofield's Army of the Ohio and the Cumberland (around 30,000 men). Often cited as "the bloodiest five hours" during the American Civil War, the Confederates lost between 6,500 - 7,500 men, with 1,750 dead. The Federals lost around 2,000 - 2,500 men, with just 250 or less killed. Hood lost 30,000 men in just six months (from July 1864 until December 15). The Battle of Franklin was fought mostly at night. Several Confederate Generals were killed, including Patrick Cleburne, and the Rebels also lost 50% of their field commanders. Hood would limp into Nashville two weeks later before suffering his final defeat before retreating to Pulaski in mid December. Hundreds of wounded Confederate soldiers were taken to the John and Carrie McGavock home - Carnton - after the battle. She became known as the Widow of the South. The McGavock's eventually donated two acres to inter the Confederate dead. Almost 1,500 Rebel soldiers are buried in McGavock Confederate Cemetery, just in view of the Carnton house.

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June 21, 2012 at 2:55 pm

How did Franklin, Tennessee civilians view blacks fighting in uniform in 1864? «

[...] roughly 2,000 residents of Franklin, Tennessee in 1860 were predominantly Confederate-leaning in their political ideology, as was [...]

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