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I recently visited the brand new Museum of the Confederacy in Appommatox. Here are some pictures of the Gen Patrick Cleburne frock coat they have exhibited.
Also on display is a bridle that belonged to Patrick Cleburne.
A very nice crowd came out today to listen to Maury County historian Bob Duncan, talk about the history behind St. John’s Church, in Columbia, Tennessee. The church is rarely open to the public. The Franklin Civil War Round Table sponsored today’s event.
St. John’s is famous for what Confederate General Patrick R. Cleburne is supposed to have said about it in late November 1864 when he was passing it, on the way to Franklin just days later. He is supposed to have remarked to aides something to the effect, “This church is such lovely place. One would almost wish to die so one could be buried here.” Cleburne would indeed lose his life just days later at Franklin and his remains were initially interred here by Chaplain Charles Todd Quintard.
Cleburne was supposedly originally buried in this area (below) behind the church.
A memorial plaque was installed on the church exterior in 1947 and reads as follows:
Erected in 1842 for worship and spiritual instruction of white and negro people, built under
supervisions of the Rt. Rev. Leonidas Polk, Bishop of Louisiana, on land given by him and with labor and materials contributed by him and his brothers, R.K. Polk, G.W. Polk, L.J. Polk, and Dr. W.J. Polk. Delivered into care and custody of the Bishop of Tenn. as the property of the Diocese of Tenn.Consecrated Sept 4, 1842, by Rt. Rev. James Hervey Otey, D.D., Bishop of Tenn., assisted by Bishop Polk.
Bishop Otey, whose remains rest in the church-yard, was born Jn. 27, 1800; consecrated in Christ Church, Philadelphia, Jan. 14, 1834; died April 23, 1863, in Memphis, Tenn.
At the Battle of Franklin in Nov. 1864, the following Confederate Generals were killed, and among others were buried in St. John’s Church-yard by Chaplain Charles Todd Qunitard, M.D., their bodies afterward being removed to their respective states.
Maj.-Gen. Patrick Cleburne Brig. Gen. H.B. Granberry
Brig. Gen O.P. Strahl Brig. Gen. S.R. Gist
Annual pilgrimages, held on the last Sunday in May with services led by Bishop of Tenn., were initiated in 1921.
Custody and upkeep of the property is in charge of St. John’s Association, organized May 25, 1924.
Rt. Rev. James M. Mason, D,D. President, Wm Dudley Gale, Treas.
This memorial erected 1947 by
Diocese of Tennessee
St. John’s Association
Tennessee Historical Commission
I took a lot of photos of the exterior (grounds and cemetery), the interior, and the exterior of the church itself. They are accessible from this Flickr gallery.
Historian Bob Duncan gave a very informative and entertaining talk about the church. The last regular meeting in the church was in 1915. Since then it only hosts an annual service on Whitsunday.
Vandals did a lot of damage to the church in 2001 but the community pulled together to clean it up and ready it for the annual service just a couple weeks later.
There has never been any significant restoration done to the church since its consecration in 1842. It is in remarkable condition. The bricks and wood used for the construction of the church, and its furniture, were all provided on site.
The Polk family of Columbia, Tenn., built the church as a family/plantation church.
The Washington Post announced today that the new Museum of the Confederacy, set to open in late March at Appomattox, will exhibit the coat that Gen Patrick Cleburne wore when he was killed at Franklin. It has never been exhibited before.
UPDATE: I checked with the curator at the MOC in Appomattox. The Cleburne coat they have is NOT the one he was killed in. The frock coat they have did belong to Cleburne though. The Washington Post made that claim without verifying it with the curator.
Frock coat Major General Patrick Ronayne Cleburne, CSA (Katherine Wetzel - THE MUSEUM OF THE CONFEDERACY)
“The new museum galleries will include 22 original Confederate flags—the largest such exhibit ever mounted—as well as the uniform and sword General Robert E. Lee wore at Appomattox, the pen he used to sign the surrender document and the parole he and his staff signed,” according to the Post.
March promises to be one of the most incredible hand’s on meetings we will have as we meet at St John’s Church just outside Columbia. It was in this church’s cemetery that Patrick Cleburne, when passing it before the Battle of Franklin, noted its beauty and said it would be a good place to be laid to rest. In a touch of irony, he was buried there after his death at Franklin until his removal to Arkansas in 1870. Maury County historian Bob Duncan will speak at this event and show us some of the incredible gravesites of history buried there. And for those who wish to explore more, the burial site of Sam Watkins (Company Aytch) is just a couple of miles away. St John’s is not often open to the public, so you will not want to miss this incredible opportunity.
William Jere Crook was born to Jeremiah and Mary (Arnold) Crook on October 20, 1836. He enlisted in Company I of the 13th Tennessee Infantry (CSA) as a Corporal on May 30, 1861 and was promoted to Captain on August 14 of the same year. Crook was seriously wounded and captured in Murfreesboro on December 31, 1862 and was exchanged in early 1863. He returned to his regiment and was promoted to Major on November 18, 1863. Crook was captured again near Athens, Georgia on May 8, 1865 and apparently released at the end of the war. He returned to Tennessee, where he married his cousin, Hattie Crook. William J. Crook died on January 10, 1881.
Major Williams J. Crook, 13th Tennessee Infantry, was lucky enough to survive the Battle of Franklin. The 13th was part of Vaughan’s 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. Gordon’s men overtook Wagner’s (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, Gordon’s Brigade and he 13th TN met fierce resistance from Opdycke’s and Strickland’s Briagades. There was brutal hand-to-hand fighting here.
Hat belonging to William J. Crook
Picture credit: Arms and Equipment of the Confederacy, (p. 168)
Taylors Ridge Georgia
Sunday Morning Oct. 16th 1864
Dear Hattie,
I have not had a leisure moment in the past week to write you. If I had we have no facilities for mailing. I wrote you a host note by the way side a few days ago. Since simply telling you I was well. We have been very successful thus far on this Campaign. We have marched about 150 or 200 miles here. Captured about 2000 prisoners a number of stores and arms and have here made rapid strides for Tenn.
Our Div. captured Dalton (GA) last Tuesday with its stores and garrison which consisted of 750 Negroes and 200 Yankees. I felt really strange to be again at Dolton after so long an absence. The place did not look much changed. We remained then during the night. The men up all night destroying the R R (railroad).
We left next day for Lafayette (via) this bridge. Our Brigade is on Picket in rear of the entire Army and I am in charge of a detail from the Brigade in Ci? At the foot of the Ridge while the Brigade is at the top. I was in dirt all night last night – therefore by stupid and dull this morning. We are now ordered to move forward with direction of Summerville the Army is distance for Middle Ten. I must ? my… I will write again at first opportunity.
Write to…
Alpine, GA – Monday evening, October 17, 1864
Well Hattie,
We moved from where I was doing Pickett duty on Taylors Ridge at 12th yesterday and marched via Lafayette 10 miles in the direction of Summerivlle, GA. ? for the night. Had ?ville at 2 this morning and began our march at 3. We have marched 16 miles and are at a better place called Alpine near Summerville , GA and one half mile from the H GA line. All seem anxious to get out of the Ga. We have had a fine day for the march and nice woods through…. I had a both prepared and enjoyed my evening read and have made the necessary arrangements for the night. It is quite cloudy and everything bespeaks rain. I must try and sleep some tonight. I feel by sensibly the loss of sleep for the past two night – and the fatigue which my needed duties impose. I think we will ? a by few days make the direct move for Tenn.
Our last Campaign thus far has been directed to the breaking of Sherman’s line of communication. I think we have been ? successful in our raidings. 4 ? ? much mistaken my letter of 16th Spt if you think it ? a …. I sometimes think we will have a long war but I never despair of the final result. It is getting so dark I must close for the night will unite again. Sweet dreams to you tonight in your far off home.
W. J. C.
Tuesday evening, October 18, 1864
Well Hattie,
We had nice sleep last night. We expected rain but was agreeably disappointed. Left Alpine at 8 this morning have had a gay pleasant day and the road has been by fine indeed. We have marched only 12 miles today. We are here in Ala. We are glad of a change. We have been in GA since 26th last Nov.
There are many good and patriotic people in the Empire State. They have done a good and noble part in this war. I know there are exceptions. They have come for our sick wounded and have given aid and encouragement in the darkest hours of our Struggle. We have lift mountains and ?. May she rest from her labors and peace be with her.
May no hostile America again tread her already devastated soil. But may the ruthless war of invasion backwind swell until it reach to Northern home.
We have been in a for till? valley country for the past two days but the people seem ignorant and display no taste in their homes. We see many answering incidents by the way in our pilgrimage. Today a young Lad, stood beside the road and while the troops were passing sung “Homespun Dress” and “Bonney Blue Flag”. Well she was actuated by the purest and most patriotic motives but you know hers in very bad taste. We boys hollered and cheered a great lot. All of which she blushingly received as app?.
A ? little incident of this kind are daily occurring. It serves to kill the monotony. The Army is by cheerful and hopeful everything seems to be progressing very ? I look with confidence to the results of the Campaign. Well I have not a word of news today not even a mermor. I have seen but one newspaper in three weeks. You may know I am almost lost for words. It now dreary … and promises to be quite cool to night. I know I will sleep cold pleasant dreams to you in your comfortable home and a ? repose to me in my blanket on the ground. With naught but sky above me in the mountains of North Ala. Good Night.
W. J. C.
Gadsden, Ala. – Thursday evening Oct. 20th 1864
I intended to make a few notes for you yesterday evening as it was my birthday but we got into Camp so late I did not have the time. Shall I celebrate my 27th anniversary on the march. My birth day dinner consisted of corn bread and beef both cold and dry but I was as happy and cheerful as could be all the day. I thought of the many blessings and privileges which have been bestowed upon me by kind friends and a kind and merciful Providence his ever ? me with a protecting hand in this land of ? and doth. Then the music in the Brass Band made ? the twilight hour in the finest by strains of Sept sweet met an ? music my heart was filled with gratitude and happiness until about 9pm.
Your letter of Oct. 7 was handed me and oh how my heart leapt for joy as I recognized the familiar hand. The thought of hearing from Dear Hattie filled me with ? But when I opened and read through I had inadvertently said something calculated to ? your pure feelings. I was sad beyond measure. The transition from a feeling of joyous myrth to one of deepest sadness was so perceptible that the Col. Who was sitting near me asked me what was the matter. What did I say. I don’t remember to had said anything likely to give me any unhappiness. I was disappointed in regard to our marriage but I was more than willing to consult your wishes and cheerfully again in any proposition you might make. I have even been willing to make any sacrifice of my personal feelings or wishes to gratify you. I feel a deeper interest in your happiness and well being tan I do in my own. Then if you think our engagement best be defined to the will of the war I will accede. Most cheerfully I hope you will not think my timing nine o’clock tho matters. I am so unhappy. All night I could not rest well. Especially when I remembered you were in ….
If I think of you as often as you think of me ….. Not a day ? engaged in duties but I devote ever hour to thoughts of ? I am not worthy of your love. I am too harsh and thoughtless in my manners. I fear I will never be able to treat you with the kindness and consideration …. You deserve. It is getting quite late and dark. We have marched 20 miles today. We are now at Gadsden Ala. ? people here I believe when you ? to ? I don’t know what the program will be. I will write again and ? additional notes.
Source: eBay auction, January 20, 2012
One of the must-stops in Franklin for a battlefield site is Cleburne Park. It sits at the corner of Stewart Street and Columbia Pike, just a few blocks south of the Carter House. This small park is the approximate location where Major-General Patrick R. Cleburne was killed. It was formerly the site for a Pizza Hut until the land was preserved and returned to a park-like setting. The land reclamation project made national news, even in National Geographic.
You can watch a YouTube video of Eric Jacobson talking about this hallowed spot.
Maj-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, Twenty-fourth 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 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.”
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
The original pistol used by Cleburne at Franklin.
Here’s a list of Confederate Generals who were engaged at the Battle of Franklin, Nov 30, 1864.
John Adams
William B. Bate
William F. Brantley
John C. Brown
Abraham Buford
John C. Carter
James R. Chalmers
Patrick R. Cleburne
Francis Marion Cockrell
Zachariah Deas
Winfield Scott Featherston
Samuel G. French
States Rights Gist
George W. Gordon
Edward Johnson
Mark P. Lowrey
Hiram B. Granbury
S. D. Lee
John Bell Hood
Nathan Bedford Forrest
Henry Jackson
William Hicks Jackson
S. D. Lee
W. W. Loring
Mark P. Lowrey
Arthur C. Manigault
William Quarles
Daniel Reynolds
Thomas M. Scott
Claudius W. Sears
Jacob Sharp
Charles Shelley
Thomas Benton Smith
A. P. Stewart
Otho F. Strahl
Edward C. Walthall
Dec. 7th, 1864
[Nashville]
Dear Bro,
I wrote . . . the other day after we reached this place but I was hurried so that I couldn’t write as much as I would have liked . . . .
I suppose you have heard the particulars of the Franklin fight by this time, as the papers of this place are full of it — but maybe you would like to hear the part that our Regiment took in it, so I will try to explain it. Tho I wasn’t in our works during the heaviest of the fight, as I stated before. I was sent back to draw rations but I saw it and I’m not particularly anxious to see such another battle, tho it was a great victory for us.
Gen Reilly’s Brigade was in position on the left of the Cumberland pike, our Regiment being 2nd in line on the right. We joined Gen Cooper’s 2nd Division, 23rd A.C. They connected with the 4th A.C. Col. Casement’s Brigade of our Division on our left. The enemy charged with 2 Divisions, Gen Cleburne of Hardee’s old Corps in our immediate front on the left of the pike. I forgot the name of the other General on the right, our skirmish line was about 1/4 mile in advance of the works, supported by Wagner’s Brigade of the 4th Co. The enemy advanced in two oblique lines, their left in our front — almost resting on our works, their right extended along the road joining on the right — which was formed in the same manner except that on this side, their right was nearest our lines . . .. They came up in splendid style, our artillery from across the river, throwing shell into their ranks without checking them in the least. The Brigade of the 4th Corps were overpowered in a moment and came rushing back in the wildest confusion over our line – almost breaking it. The rebels kept close . . . on them, so that our men couldn’t fire until they were within a few yards. When they did open on them, mowing them down by scores, we had several pieces of artillery in the line which poured grape and cannister into their ranks. At last, finding it too hot for them, they fell back one hundred yards, into a ravine, which they reformed and came up again. This time as steady as clock works. They charged right up to our ditch, many of them jumping over the boys heads. Some were shot while standing on the headlogs. Our Co. was the left-center of the Regiment and next to our colors and here the fighting was hottest. The line to our right was, at one time, driven back and the rebels came pouring over the works. I am proud to say, that not a man in Co. G flinched, tho every Co. to the right fell back. Gen.s Reilly, Cox and Schofield were in the most exposed places, trying to rally the men who had fallen back from a misunderstanding of orders. Up they went again, taking their old position and capturing many prisoners. Off to the right, the enemy held our line for sometime but after a desperate struggle, everything was retaken and the enemy fell back a short distance but still keeping up a heavy fire. It was now dark and we expected another attack would be made but they had evidently had enough of it. After the firing had slackened the boys went out in front of the works to help any of our boys who were lying outside. Very few were wounded outside of the works, but you can’t imagine the appearance of the field. The ditch was literally piled with dead and wounded and for rods you could scarcely walk without stepping on a body. They laid in every position imaginable. Some were in the act of loading, some drawing the trigger. Our fire had been very effective, nearly all were struck below the breast. Several officers rode their horses right onto the works and horses & riders fell back into the ditch.
You can imagine how desperate the struggle was in front of our colors when 5 (stand0 of colors were captured in front of them, the color bearers were all killed. One of them planted his standing in our works and snatched at our colors which were floating there, but our color Sergeant was too quick for him, he pulled them off the works and the reb fell back dead. An officer, said to be Gen. Cleburne was killed in front of our Co. The rebels came over our works by scores, throwing down their guns, they were sent back to the rear and as men couldn’t well be spared just then to guard them, I suppose 1/2 of them made their escape as it was. We kept 1,700 of them, you may judge that they were terribly cut-up when after the fight was over several men came over the works with ammunition, expecting to find their men in possession, as they said, they didn’t meet any going back except a few stragglers. Officers, who were over the field after the fight estimate their loss in killed and wounded at from 500 to 600, which is a moderate estimate I think. It has been said by men who have witnessed some of the hardest fought battles of the war, that they never saw a more desperate fight. Cleburne’s Division we have always heard spoken of, as the flower of the Southern Army, and they boasted that they have never before been whipped. I don’t believe that braver men live than they were, but now there are but few left to tell the tale who will ever charge a Yankee line again.
About midnight we evacuated the place and fell back to this place. We had to leave some of our wounded in their hands as it was so dark that we couldn’t find them. Our loss was comparatively slight, about 700 in all, the 104th lost 62 mostly wounded. We had six of our best men wounded, none killed which is very fortunate . . .
I will enclose a little shred of our old flag which the Color Sergeant handed me the day after the fight. It is so ragged that it will scarcely hold together but we will prize it all the more for that. We will never dishonor it, the little piece of red is part of a rebel flag we captured.
Source: (p. 125-127)
“Burning Rails as We Pleased”: The Civil War Letters of of William Garrigues Bentley, 104th Ohio Volunteer Infantry. McFarland, 2011.
Here’s a word cloud based on his letter:
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, Twenty-fourth 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 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.”
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
One feature of the Google interactive map of the Battle of Franklin [found at: http://www.franklinbattlefield.com] is that we identify the location where key indidviduals were killed or wounded during the action; for example, where Gen Patrick Cleburne was killed near the Carter cotton gin.
We also include some video on some content items. In the example of Cleburne, we have a brief video of historian Eric Jacobson talking about the charge that Cleburne was killed at during the battle.
The next day after the battle, December 1st, Patrick Cleburne, and three other Confederate Generals were brought to Carnton and laid out on the back porch. Jacobson eloquently tells the story. What about his Kepi? His pistol?
The bodies of Confederate Generals Cleburne, Adams, Strahl and Granbury were laid out right on this porch on the morning of December 1st, 1864.
This is the authentic Kepi worn by Cleburne the day he was killed.
Image of Cleburne’s Kepi courtesy of the Tennessee State Museum, Nashville, TN.
Want to know more?
Read the incredible true story of what happened to the once-lost pistol that belonged to Patrick Cleburne.
Carnton historian and author Eric Jacobson talks about C.S.A. General Patrick R. Cleburne’s proposal in early 1864 to arm the slaves to fight for the Confederacy. It was very poorly received by the military brass, and probably cost him any further major advancement in rank or position in the Confederate army.
The divisions of Cleburne and Brown made the assault upon the Federal works around 4:30 pm. The shock-attach was so powerful it knocked three Federal regiments on their heels. The Rebels nearly landed a knock-out punch at Franklin. But Emerson Opdycke’s Brigade staunched the flow and saved the day for the Federals. In the assault, Cleburne was shot through the heart.
A historical marker on the site where Cleburne’s assault and death took place honors the fallen Confederate hero. Recently, the Franklin community – through the leadership of Franklin’s Charge – recovered a one-acre piece of ground that was part of the epicenter of this assault. Read about the historic event.
Cleburne’s death was a devastating loss for the Army of Tennessee. The December 3rd edition of The New York Times headlined, “The Rebel General Cleburne Killed.”
Pistol image is used by permission of the Layland Musuem, Cleburne, texas.
I’m sure I’m not the first to think of this question, but, what if Jefferson Davis had promoted Patrick Cleburne to corps command as head of the Army of Tennessee instead of John Bell Hood in July 1864, or even earlier, perhaps even preceding Johnston?
Playing mental ping-pong with what-if-scenarios are highly conjectural, have the advantage of hindsight vision, and can be very unfair to some participants, especially of ones who made big blunders. Well . . . so. It’s still fun.
I postulate this. Had Davis promoted Cleburne instead of Hood to lead the Army of Tennessee, I think the Western theater results might have been very different. Imagine how Cleburne might have approached the Atlanta campaign differently, or especially the Franklin-Nashville campaign.
Though a certain sense of inevitability sets in at some point, meaning, one wonders if anyone on the Confederate side – at the level of Corps commander – would have made any difference having to report to Jefferson Davis, one still wonders what might-have been had someone like Cleburne been able to lead a Corps during the most desperate need for abled-body leadership on behalf of the Confederacy.
If Hood and Cleburne were in the ring together for ten rounds, I score it a knock-out by Cleburne in four!
Ding!
How do you call it?
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