Blog Author
Kraig McNutt is the author and publisher of this blog.
Email him.
Join our Facebook Community
Become a Fan and join the Battle of Franklin
Facebook group.
Over 1,100 people are fans of the Battle of Franklin Facebook Group!
Unknown Civil War soldier stories here
Click
HERE to see all of the blog posts related to the unknown Franklin Civil War soldier.
We proudly support Franklin’s Charge
Learn about and support the Cotton Gin campaign!
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.
11 comments
Comments feed for this article
November 8, 2009 at 10:43 pm
BRADY BOWDEN
I HAVE 3 G G GRANDFATHERS WHO FOUGHT @ FRANKLIN…THEY ARE:
1. GEORGE PINKNEY WALLEY… 27TH MISS. INF… BRANTLEYS BRIGADE.
2. JAMES THOMAS NEWELL…14TH MISS. INF…ADAMS BRIGADE…
3. ALBERT EDWARDS…1ST. MISS. CAV. BATTALION…ARMSTRONGS BRIGADE…
November 11, 2009 at 11:34 am
Anonymous
i’m a descendant on my mother’s side of pvt.andrew jackson mclaney,co g 1st alabama infantry,who died at the battle of franklin.
November 16, 2009 at 5:08 pm
tellinghistory
All of the following comments are taken from the Facebook group page.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Battle-of-Franklin/172853329480?ref=mf
Franklin descendants
Last updated 11/29/09
Brett Herndon
Having had six ancestors who fought in the Battle of Franklin, I will always remember the date November 30, 1864.
Benjamin Allen – 2nd Arkansas Mounted Rifles (dismounted) -Walthall’s Division – Reynold’s Brigade
Frank Gray – 6th Arkansas Infantry – Cleburne’s Division – Govan’s Brigade – Buried at Carnton Cemetary…. See More
John Lea – 9th Mississippi Infantry – Johnson’s Division – Sharp’s Brigade
Thomas Hawkins Herndon – 12th Tennessee Cavalry – Forrest Cavalry Corps
Thomas Young Craig – 19th Arkansas Infantry – Cleburne’s Division – Govan’s Brigade
Johnathan Milton Gray – 35th Alabama Infantry – Loring’s Division – Scott’s Brigade
——
Freddie Howell
Pvt. Abraham Howell(24), Co. A (Red Rovers) 5th Mis’sippi. Out of (17) in his Co. He and one other man were the only ones not killed or captured. After the battle of Nashville He went back to his home in Monroe County Mis’sippi.
—-
Trent Johnson
My Great Great Grandfather Sgt. John Crooks served in Co. “I” 51st Ohio Vol Inf. along with his brother Private Henry Crooks who was detached to the Ambulance Corps during the Battle of Franklin. My Great Great Great Grandmother’s cousin Jacob Francis was in the 97th Ohio Vol Inf. at the Battle of Franklin.
——-
Tim Stowers
My great-great grandfather was Moses Merrideth Burt. 52nd Georgia. Family stories say he was an ambulance driver. I imagine he was very busy after battle.
—-
Leo Baker
i’m a descendant on my mother’s side of pvt.andrew jackson mclaney,1st alabama infantry,co g,who died at the battle of franklin.
——
James Stanley
Well even though my uncle was a darned yankee, Pvt. Joseph Regnier 37th Illinois, I had one grandfather who we speculate was with Quantrill or in the Missouri Infantry.
———–
Matthew Rector
My 3rd Great Grandfather, Pvt. Jerome Bonapart Dooley,40th Indiana. Fourth Army Corps, Second Div. [Wagner], 2nd Brigade [Lane] His pension records state he was wounded there.
——–
Michael R. Phelps
My GGGrandfather was Lt Richard W Hastings, 120th Indiana, Co F. Stood strong between the rail and the river!’
As an author, I going to start compiling info on the 120th and write a unit history. would love to hear from all descendants of the 120th!
=======
Scott Busenbark
My ancestor,1st Sgt. William W. Taylor 31st Tennessee Inf., Company E (Strahl’s Brigade), later captured at battle of Nashville.
My wife’s ancestor, Pvt. John Carpenter, 120th Indiana, Company K.
Scott Busenbark
Small world! We have copies of his service record and pension paperwork. He was present at the battle of Franklin. The only funny notation was in March and April of ‘65; “Stoppage of pay for one bayonet and one waist belt.” He must have lost them marching through North Carolina. He was charged $2.40 for the loss.
———
David Richmond
I think my ancestor Robert Bacot of Pike County, Mississippi may have been there with N. B. Forrest, but am not sure. He was not killed in the war, but was with Forrest for several years, including 1864. If I can find any details, will send them to you. My others from Miss. were with R. E. Lee’s army.
David Richmond
Am pretty sure at least one of my relatives was there because he was with Forrest in 1864. Will do some research if I can find any, and send it to you. Have been meaning to do that for many years anyway. He was not killed in the war. If he had been, I would not be here today, because he was not married until after the war.
———
Stephanie Foley
Pvt. Isaac Jones, 8th MS Infantry,Plot: Section 32-MS-Grave 156
Sgt. A.J. Jones,8th MS Infantry,Plot: Section 27-MS-Grave 80
—–
Steven L. Brock
My G-G Granduncle, Pvt William Thomas Gamel, Co. C, 30th Georgia Infantry.
——-
Timothy Patrick
My great, great grandfather, Benjamin Harrell fought in the 20th Mississippi Infantry and participated in this battle as a 16 year old boy.
———
Billy Adcock
think my great great grandfathers was in it have to check to make sure
——-
David Andrews II
My 3xgrandfather James R. Humphries rode in a unit with Ole Bedford Forrest…the Wizzard in the Saddle. He was a part of the Consolidated 10th/11th Tn Cavalry. He surrendered with Forrest in Selma and the stinkin’ Yanks made him walk all the way back to nashville with his brother…horseless and gunless….Yello-belly Yanks!
——-
Jan Turner
my gggreat uncle was Capt. George W. Holtzclaw, Company F 16th South Carolina. He survived the Battle of Franklin, was wounded at the Battle of Nashville but survived the war. His brothers grandson is in his 90’s and still living and working at his antique store in Charleston SC.
——–
ames Stanley
yes, I am 95% sure my uncle Joseph Regnier, who was with the 37th Illinois fought there. Thats what it says on his papers I looked up on Civil War Soldier Search.
——
Betty Callis
I am descended from Dempsey John Corbitt (Corbett), 55th Brown’s Tn. Inf. He was killed in the Battle of Franklin and is buried at McGavock Cemetery. I have the genealogy written down, but have not turned it in yet.
——
Larry Cockerham
GG Grandpa Pvt. Whitfield Monroe Parker 63rd VA Inf., guarded ordinance during the battle then on clean-up duty on Dec 1.
GG Grandpa Farrier James Patterson Cockerham 10th TN US Cav was at Wilson’s headquaters, Williams farm near present-day 96-Mack Hatcher intersection. Skirmished with Forrest early on the 30th.
——-
Bobbie Ford
I am a direct descendant of Dr. Joseph Franklin Smith who was killed during the Battle of Franklin, TN. I am his great, great granddaughter. His brother Andrew Gill was there too, but survived.
——–
Steven N Cone
Will dig up my info and send it to ya two on the confederate side and 1 on the union side .. the fed was across the river and saw no action.
Steven N Cone
there were in the general area that Deas brigade hit. I had a relative in the 22nd Alabama in Deas and 1 in the 28th alabama
——
Randy Rubel
I had two great grandfathers who fought at Franklin, both on opposite sides.
——–
Gene Harmon
Had ancestors there and the Confederate impression of my reenacting unit was part of Jackson’s Division which helped punch the hole in the federal line near the Carter House ( 2nd Battalion Georgia Sharpshooters ).
——
Patty Paschal Ceran
Two great grandfathers served with the 56th GA inf. and fought at the battle of Franklin, I am a huge Gettysburg fan, but a true southerner at heart so your group interested me
——–
November 23, 2009 at 8:31 pm
Brian Heitzman
I’m an indirect descendant of Todd Carter and the Carter Family. I can remember Dr. Rosalie Carter used to visit her alot when I was a kid.
December 15, 2009 at 3:17 pm
Bret Arnold
My GG Grandfather Emanuel Cisero Waters fought in Bate’s Division, Jackson’s Brigade, 1st Georgia Confederate Regiment, 2nd Co. H at Franklin.
December 17, 2009 at 6:23 pm
Mark Dolan
My great grandfather, Pvt. Nathan Richardson (“NR”) Oakes fought in the Battle of Franklin in Cleburne’s Division, Lowrey’s Brigade, 32nd Regiment, Co. D. If fact, he published a couple of short letters in the Confederate Veteran. One in the Vol. VII (Sept., 1899) issue, he wrote about a comrade he saw fall “on top of the breastworks to the left of the pike leading from Columbia into the town.” He enlisted in Corinth in March 1841, and surrendered at Durham Station on April 26, 1865. Weeks after the war, back in Mississippi, he married the sister of another of his comrades, my great uncle, Sgt. William Turner, of the same company.
January 6, 2010 at 2:56 am
Anonymous
Col. William Wallace Witherspoon, was my great, great, great, uncle and he was killed at the Battle of Franklin. (36th Mississippi). If anyone has any info about him or his involvement here, I would love to gather all the info I could.
Thanks, Sheilah Broughton
February 7, 2010 at 3:03 am
Elizabeth Coker
Your ancestor is listed as buried in the McGavock Confederate Cemetery
Section 48 , Mississippi Section, in grave Number 391.
He is listed as Col. William W. Witherspoon of the 36th MS in Sears Brigade.
February 1, 2010 at 4:46 am
Roy Freudenthal
My great, great uncle Pvt. Samuel Thomas Walker of the 49th Tenn Inf. Co D. was captured at Franklin. He was Pull over the breast works as recorded in his pension papers, by his Capt. John M. Nesbitt. He was made a prisoner and sent to Louisville then to Camp Douglas which was his second visit to the place. He was held till after the war. My great, great grandfather Pvt. Phillip Henry Deason he also had a stay at Camp Douglas and was with The 49th Tenn Inf Co. B also fought at Franklin and was later captured at Nashville.
February 15, 2010 at 5:06 pm
Jerry A. McCain
my greatgrandfather C.W. McCain 4th Miss. was wounded at Franklin but he remained on line . He also was at basttle of nashville. His brother James captured battle of Nashville died at camp morton. C.W. escaped to Tupelo, Miss. for winter. C.W. Was in many battles in Miss.,Tenn. & Ala. His brothers also included Robert W. 4th inf.,William E. 4th inf. Issac 29th Co.A. Dont have much history on the brothers.
I just finished The widow of the South and love to read about C.W. Battles.
thanks. J.M.
February 17, 2010 at 3:03 am
Betty j Cowles
My husband’s Grandfather fought in the Battle of Franklin. Co.G 107th Illinois
Chester Cowles