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George C. Patterson, 72nd Illinois Infantry
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 Strickland’s 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 Seventy-second 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.
For more info on the 72nd Illinois see:
72nd Illinois, “War Diary [1862-1865] of Joseph Stockton of the Seventy-Second Illinois Volunteer Regiment Board of Trade Regiment),” by Brevet Brigadier General Joseph Stockton, First Lieutenant, Captain, Major and Lieutenant-Colonel of the 72nd Illinois Regiment.
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 major-general 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 service on June 1, 1892. Gen. Stanley died March 13, 1902.
Source: The Union Army, vol. 8
I had the distinct privilege of taking Harold Becker on a tour of McGavock Confederate Cemetery Sunday. His father’s unit – the 128th Indiana – was posted on the far left Union flank, near the Nashville-Decatur Railroad, part of Stiles’s Brigade. That brigade faced the onslaught of numerous Confederate units from Featherston’s Brigade on November 30th, 1864.
Unfortunately, hundreds of young CSA boys did not survive the clash that fateful day and Mr Becker walked pensively through the cemetery reflecting on that day his father must have wished never happened. Many of those casualties are buried in McGavock.
By noon of day one (Thursday) the 100th signature was already recorded in the guest registry in the front of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Franklin. Taking into account that one person often signed for a couple or family attending, there have already been more than 200 guests to pay their respects by 3 pm. A high school group of 25-30 young people attended in the early afternoon.
The coffin viewing and visitation is open to the public until 8 pm tonight and Friday.
The coffin was placed in the church sanctuary by 8:30 am this morning and reenactor sentries – gray and blue – stood charge next to the simple pine box with the remains of a Civil War soldier who probably lost his life fighting in the battle of Franklin (30 November 1864).
In the first 6-7 hours there must have been 200-300 guests overall. Many are coming from our community but some even listed Brazil as their home.
Docents, or ladies dressed in civilian period dress from circa 1860, are also generously spotted throughout the day greeting guests and telling the story of the unknown soldier.
I have more pictures of today’s events to post on the blog later tonight. Check back soon.
I was on hand to take a few pics of the unknown Civil War soldier’s coffin being delivered to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church this morning around 8:00 am. A couple of re-enactors were on hand to carry it into the church. The soldier’s casket will lie in repose in the sanctuary of St. Paul’s until burial Saturday morning at 10:00 am. The general public can visit the church and view the coffin from 8 – 8 Thursday and Friday.
By Kevin Walters • THE TENNESSEAN • October 7, 2009
FRANKLIN — Back in May, the shovels of archaeologists revealed the bones of a soldier buried alone one day sometime in 1864 along Columbia Avenue.
On Saturday, he’ll return to the earth still a mystery man. But he won’t go without fanfare.
Read full story
Charles Conrad Becker, 128th Indiana
If you’ve been following this blog for the past several days you know that our Franklin community is re-burying an unknown Civil War soldier this Saturday. The soldier’s remains were unearthed during construction in May and the long process of properly re-burying this American soldier comes full-circle after five long months.
A living true-son – Harold Becker (age 91) – of a Union Civil War soldier will be an honored guest in our ceremonies. Mr Becker’s own father, Charles Conrad Becker (1846 – 1934), was a member of the 128th Indiana (1864-1865).
Immediately after the Civil War ended the U.S. government assigned several Union regiments to attend to the ghastly task of re-burying Union soldiers who had died and were hastily buried in mass trenches in Confederate prisons. One of those prisons was at Salisbury, N.C. Charles Conrad Becker, a native of Crown Point, Indiana, was assigned with his 128th comrades to re-bury thousands of Union soldiers in Salisbury.
Charles’ son, Harold, says that his father never wanted to talk about that experience. Who could blame him? What could possibly be more ghastly and horrifying than digging up decomposed, diseased-ridden bodies in a defunct Confederate prison camp? The peace that Charles Becker could not find in re-burying Union Civil War dead nearly 150 years ago might finally come full-circle this weekend when his son Harold participates in a fitting and honored tribute and re-burial of the Franklin unknown Civil War soldier.
For more info:
Drawing on right was of inside barracks in August of 1862
The following article was published by the Tennessean in today’s (Oct 4th) Sunday paper. Kevin Walters did a good job with the interview and gave me much more print space than I deserved or expected.
Source (full article)
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Civil War sons will gather graveside
Franklin blogger locates elderly sons of former soldiers
FRANKLIN — Harold Becker and James F. Brown Sr. will meet for the first time when they shake hands Saturday at the grave of an unknown Civil War soldier.
But the men, who are in their 90s, share a common thread as members of a select and fast-disappearing fraternity: They’re first-generation sons of men who fought and lived through the Civil War.
They’ll serve as honorary pallbearers during Saturday’s reburial of the remains of a man accidentally unearthed at a construction site along Columbia Avenue back in May.
Becker’s father was Charles Conrad Becker, who fought for the Union in the 128th Indiana Infantry at the Battle of Franklin on Nov. 30, 1864. Harold Becker lives in Rockford, Mich.
Brown’s father was James H.H. Brown, who served in the 8th Georgia Infantry in the Confederacy and fought at Gettysburg. James F. Brown lives outside Knoxville.
Both men, each of whom were born when their respective fathers were in their 70s, say they can remember the stories their fathers told about the war — recounting grisly and horrific scenes they lived through. There are just a small group of direct descendants known as “real sons” or “real daughters” still living.
While the fighting marked their fathers, Becker, 91, and Brown, 97, say neither man held a grudge.
“He was not bitter. He did not have the least bit of bitterness toward the Yankees,” Brown said about his father, who was wounded twice in fighting.
Becker remembered his father smoking a cigar and talking about the scenes of over-matched Confederate troops meeting the Union army.
“He saw those Confederates coming at him and in his estimation they were brave souls,” Becker said.
Internet brings them together
When the two men meet Saturday, local historians and re-enactors can thank the behind-the-scenes work of Civil War blogger and Franklin resident Kraig McNutt for helping bring the two to Franklin.
McNutt, 46, who is a vice president overseeing e-Business for radio host Dave Ramsey, also runs a blog devoted to the Battle of Franklin.
(2 of 2)
McNutt got a tip from a blog reader that a descendant of a soldier who fought at the Battle of Franklin was still alive. So, McNutt got in touch with a family friend of Becker and who got confirmation Becker could attend. Last week, McNutt got confirmation that Brown could make it to the ceremony as well.
Kraig McNutt, Publisher of The Battle of Franklin.net blog
Since the news of the re-burial, McNutt has seen visitor numbers to his blog dramatically increase. He expects the numbers will continue to grow as Saturday gets closer.
“I think it’s going to a whole new level of excitement and interest because of the attendance of these two living sons of soldiers that are going to be there,” McNutt said.
When McNutt and his family first moved to Franklin, they did not know they had any relatives who fought in the Civil War.
Since then they’ve learned that McNutt’s wife, Lori, had three relatives who fought at the Battle of Franklin. That’s added a new connection to the war and the city to McNutt’s life.
“Once it became personal, that whole story became powerful,” McNutt said.
Richmond Daily Dispatch
Wednesday, December 21, 1864
From Hood’s 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 Stanton’s bulletin, it appears to have been diminishing Thomas’s casualties from three thousand to three hundred.
It is noticeable that Thomas sends no telegram on the 17th, and that the “un-official” 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 Forrest’s 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 Hood’s condition is by no means hopeless; and that his army is not, as the enemy express the hope, in danger of being “crushed”.
By Kevin Walters • THE TENNESSEAN • August 28, 2009
FRANKLIN — When the bones of a Civil War soldier were found at a construction site on Columbia Avenue back in May, the discovery brought out small groups of onlookers, archaeologists and news crews.
But the soldier’s reburial in October will likely be a different story.
Thousands of visitors, including groups of Civil War re-enactors from throughout the U.S., are expected to participate in the soldier’s reburial on Oct. 10.
Franklin aldermen gave their clearance this week to re-inter the skeleton in Franklin’s Rest Haven cemetery as part of a full military ceremony that will include a horse-drawn caisson through downtown Franklin.
“Certainly we will have hundreds if not thousands of re-enactors here in Franklin,” said Robin Hood, member of the city’s Battlefield Task Force. “I think it’s going to be a significant event for all of Franklin and all of Tennessee.”
Workers accidentally unearthed the soldier’s lone, unmarked grave while digging a trench at the Through the Green development on Columbia Avenue. Along with the skeleton, archaeologists also found brass buttons with a Union insignia, tacks from his boots and a bullet as part of the excavation.
The discovery of the soldier’s remains gives Civil War buffs a rare chance to honor the dead killed in a war fought more than a century ago.
“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” said J.T. Thompson, task force member and Lotz House owner. “It’s a very unique, wonderful opportunity to participate in history.”
It is not known exactly when the man died, but officials speculate that it occurred in late 1864, sometime around the Battle of Franklin.
Since being unearthed, the bones have been kept by the state Department of Environment and Conservation until city staff and Civil War historians could work out plans for the reburial.
In the interim, Hood and other task force members say they’ve fielded numerous calls and e-mails from Civil War groups and others throughout the country interested in the discovery and coming to Franklin to participate in the re-burial.
While the reburial has city clearance permission, aldermen must still give their permission for a permit to allow the ceremony and to close several streets on Oct. 10. They will likely discuss the ceremony at their Sept. 8 meeting.
“I think the long-range return for our investment in this event is immeasurable,” Hood said. “It will be a catalyst for future events and for future recognition of Franklin as a historic tourism destination.”
No cost estimates for the funeral accompanied information to city aldermen.
According to the task force’s plans, the soldier’s body will lie in state at
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, beginning Oct. 8 and remain there through the morning of Oct. 10. The church was a Union barracks during the Battle of Franklin.
After a ceremony in the church that morning, Union and Confederate re-enactors will accompany the horse-drawn caisson to Rest Haven cemetery. Streets along the route would be closed for the ceremony.
The funeral procession will head north on Main Street, circle the city’s Public Square, then head north on Third Avenue before turning west on North Margin and into Rest Haven Cemetery.
The task force is asking that three stages or scaffolding be erected along the funeral route for media and camera crews to be able to better photograph the event.
At the cemetery, the tomb will be marked with discarded limestone columns formerly used in the old state Capitol building in Nashville, Hood said. He said there will be no cost to create the monument.
Through the Green developer Wesley Wolfe is covering the costs of the reburial, including a new coffin while Williamson Memorial Funeral and Gardens donated the grave digging.
I recently acquired a letter written by a 117th Illinois Infantry soldier named Thomas A. Whitesides. It is dated Nashville, Tenn., December 6th, 1864. Whitesides 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 Forrest’s cavalry (Dec 1863); the Red River expedition and the Battle of Pleasant Hill (Feb 1864); the Battle of Franklin (30 Nov 1864) and the Battle of Nashville (Dec 15-16th, 1864).
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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 don’t 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 don’t wish to feed men that are not fighting for him.
The prisoners say they don’t get fourth rations and if they don’t 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 don’t 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 couldn’t 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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Copyright 2009, The Civil War Gazette. All rights reserved.
The Federal Army suffered roughly 200 killed in the Battle of Franklin (30 November 1864). Most of these men were taken to Murfreesboro and interred in the Stone’s River National Cemetery.
Stone's River National Cemetery
O.R.–SERIES I–VOLUME 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, re-enforced by a volunteer force, which had been previously organized into a division, under Bvt. Brig. Gen. J. L. Donaldson, from the employés of the quartermaster’s and commissary departments. This latter force, aided by railroad employés, 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 Sherman’s 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. Smith’s 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 Hood’s army.
The enemy followed closely after General Schofield’s 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 Schofield’s 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 enemy’s 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, 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 Hood’s 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 enemy’s 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 Hood’s 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 day’s 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. Smith’s 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 Schofield’s 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
Dr. Chris Losson, a guest speaker at the 2008 Franklin’s Charge Symposium, talks about how and why Civil War veterans’ groups were started after the war.
Dr. Chris Losson, an author and teacher, discusses the unimaginable task for soldier and civilian alike to process the death, suffering, and carnage after the Battle of Franklin.
This is an excerpt from a lecture Dr. Losson gave at the June 2008 Franklin’s Charge symposium in Franklin, TN
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