Rest well boys. Your work is done.
This first version is cemetery footage set to Going Home by Mary Fahl (lyrics).
This second one is footage of the cemetery set to Shenandoah by Van Morrison.
Please leave a comment (scroll down to version you like more and why. Thanks.
Learn more about McGavock Confederate Cemetery.
I live just a couple miles from the cemetery. I find myself out there 2-3 times a week usually. I love going out after dinner and watching the sun set.
McGavock Confederate Cemetery is a very peaceful place for me. I know the carnage and many of the horrific stories of how these young men got here, but still, there is a peace about the cemetery, with Carnton in full view, that has always yielded a sense of peace and calmness for me. I even enjoy staying past sunset and walking around in the dark evening hours.
I am working on a guide to the cemetery for non-Civil War buffs that will be finished very soon. I’ll keep you posted. One of my favorite things is to be walking around the cemetery as I’m studying or photographing and inevitably strangers will walk up to me to ask what I’m doing. I almost always provide them with a free 20 minute tour of McGavock.
Please comment on your experience of the cemetery on this page after you’ve visted.
18 comments
Comments feed for this article
July 18, 2008 at 11:40 pm
Lee Barton
Very well done! Informative and emotionally moving. What you are doing in this regard is highly commendable and extremely valuable. My wife and I will be visiting the Nashville area in mid-September. I will definitely visit Carnton and McGavok Confederate Cemetery. I am the descendent of Confederate war veterans who fought in the Virginia Regiments with General Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia. I have had a long time interest in “The Cause” and never pass up an opportunity to visit places such as Franklin/Carnton/McGavock. Your work with this blog will make the journey all the more worthwhile and increases my anticipation. Thank you.
September 27, 2008 at 3:45 am
John Kramer
You are truly a special individual to do the work you do. I hope very soon that my personal and professional life will permit me to assist in the cause that you so admirably take up. I have visited 2 battlefields, Parkers Crossroads and Shiloh, and soon visiting Franklin. Your efforts alone to keep this fantastic website running and with the vast information that you have gathered here is greatly appreciated. I live in Huntingdon, TN, and plan on visiting soon.
September 28, 2008 at 6:09 pm
Patrick Aceves
I was there in mid August and was very moved by the grounds.When I return in November I will have Alot more knowledge of the battle and its aftermath,keep up the good work.Pat aveves Los Angeles California
October 24, 2008 at 12:46 am
Carol Young
I have just begun reading “The Widow of the South” by Robert Hicks.
My dad always told us stories about the War. We visited Vicksburg and many of the battlefields. He was very much interested in the history.
After he passed away in 2000, I began my genealogy search. This, of course, lead me to Civil War Archives. I put the research aside and became so interested in diaries, stories of individuals, the prisons; I began to read books suggested by friends. I am totally fasinated.
I would like to learn more about Franklin, Tennessee and the McGavock Cemetery. If anyone could suggest other books, I would welcome correspondence. Since my husband and I are retired, I would love to make a trip to Franklin soon. We live in Sugarland, Texas. I was born in Pensacola, Florida, however. My maternal ancestors are all from Mobile, Alabama, Baldwin Cnty, Clarke County Alabama and Clarke County, Mississippi.
I need to browse the site and see when the events are scheduled.
October 27, 2008 at 2:39 am
Mike Sparks Smyrna Tn
Great job, we just out there yesterday (Oct 26,2008) and walked the cemetery. Very beautiful area and well preserved.
November 26, 2008 at 11:40 pm
Steven Dyess
Thank you so much for your contribution to the poor souls that were laid here to rest. I have been looking for the grave of my ggggg grand father George W Dyess he was with the 8th Mississippi Infantry he died around 1863 I have found information saying he is buried at McGavock. have you ever found a grave with his name? If you have can you email me a photo of it I would be forever grateful Thanks again for caring about our lost love ones
Steve Dyess
November 27, 2008 at 6:56 pm
catherine johnson
THIS PERIOD IN HISTORY FASCINATES ME SO MUCH – I JUST GET LOST IN IT. MY HUSBAND AND I HAVE VISITED THE USA ON HOLIDAY A COUPLE OF TIMES. I JUST LOVE THE COUNTRY AND ENJOY GOING ROUND ALL THE PLANTATION HOUSES. BY THE WAY WE ARE SCOTTISH AND LIVE NEAR GLASGOW. HOWEVER, CAN I SAY THE MCGAVOCK HOUSE, CEMETERY ETC., AND WONDERFUL “CARRIE” REALLY GOT THROUGH TO ME. ITS ALL SO RICH IN HISTORY AND BRAVERY. ALL THOSE PEOPLE REALLY SUFFERED ONE WAY OR ANOTHER. I AM ENJOYING FINDING OUT ALL THE INFORMATION I CAN ON THESE GREAT WEBSITES. I MUST TRY AND GET A COPY OF “WIDOW OF THE SOUTH”. HOPEFULLY I CAN PURCHASE ONLINE. ISN’T HER PORTRAIT BEAUTIFUL – WHAT A SELFLESS PERSON SHE WAS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR INFORMATION. YOURS SINCERELY, MRS CATHERINE JOHNSON. email cmcdonald73@aol.com
February 3, 2009 at 8:09 pm
Tim Kirkpatrick
I found this site out of curiosity while reading yet another historical fiction work re: civil war, entitled ‘The Black Flower’ by Howard Bahr.
Carol Young: while I have only read half of this first novel of his series, I would highly recommend it to you. Howard Bahr is remarkable in his research and haunting writing style that very much places the reader into context of this horrendous battle.
Tim
February 17, 2009 at 2:48 am
Nick Wright
Dear Sir, you have a great website. Recently two friends of mine found an 1853 enfield musket inside a wall of an old house they were tearing down at Corinth. Soldiers initials were carved into stock of rifle. Alabama archives lists those intiials to C. F. Nealy, of the 45th Alabama Infantry. If you have knowledge of his burial at Franklin, could you please send me an email. I cannot trace what happened to him. thanks
sincerely, Nick Wright
February 28, 2009 at 3:35 pm
Steven Robertson
Both versions are beautiful, but I have to say I prefer the Going Home version. The words and music just seem to fit the sight of the cemetery better.
March 6, 2009 at 4:14 am
Paul Lindner
My wife and I just visited Carnton Plantation for the second time in 20 yrs.Alot has changed since our first visit.Carnton and the cemetery are truly Historical treasures.I would like to know more historical facts about Carnton,such as where were the stables or coach house located.?? Are there any slaves buried on the property.??What if anything has been found in Excavations of the grounds??On our tour,the house was dark inside.I really think more light needs to be let in.I to like the “GOING HOME”. version better.I’m reading the book about Carrie now. What a caring and beautiful lady she was.She”s resting in peace with her boy’s.
March 20, 2009 at 8:05 am
Suzzie
Hi folks..
I have a passion with Carnton. My GGfather was born there. That place is special. I want to go back to see it now that its all fancy.
Suzzie
March 23, 2009 at 8:41 pm
Bobbie (Ellis) Ford
I do not understand why my great, great grandfather is not listed as being buried in the cemetery. He is buried in the Mississippi Section #39, grave # 265, 30th Mississippi-Brantly’s Brigade. My ancestor is Dr. Joseph F. Smith or J.F. Smith. How can he be added? This wonderful man was a doctor and also gave his life for his country.
April 10, 2009 at 1:19 am
Eric A. Jacobson
Bobbie, You may have helped answer a question many of us have had for many years. You may be aware that the only identification for Grave #265 is Dr. J. F. S. There was never any indication in the original list of the dead which unit this person was associated with. Please contact me at Carnton at 615-794-0903 as I would love to talk to you about this and get Dr. Smith’s name entered into the record once and for all. Thank you. Eric
May 19, 2009 at 7:40 pm
Bill Wayne
Is there a way to replace markers that are difficult to read? My reenactment unit is interested in our company’s captain who is buried there (Co I, 3rd & 5th MO Inf).
May 22, 2009 at 5:17 pm
Elaine Everett Shelton
Both videos were beautiful and moving, however I like “Going Home” the best. I just found out last year that my gg grandfather, Asa Minor Laney, was killed at the Carter Cotton Gin and reburied at the McGavock Confederate Cemetery. (Row 25, #51.) It was my great honor to have been able to visit the cemetery and tour the beautiful Carnton last week. Equally as great an honor to have Eric Jacobson actually take us on the tour of the beautiful McGavock home and present a riveting, beautiful narrative of the events as they unfolded there. I can tell you that I actually got “goosebumps” standing in the home and listening to his story – you could close your eyes and easily imagine the scenes of the war taking place inside the house. The grounds and the cemetery are beautiful beyond words. I felt such a peace standing there among those brave and tortured souls’ graves, knowing they also were at peace to have been so well cared for. Everyone who has ever had anything to do with the preservation of Carnton deserves a deep heartfelt “Thank You”.
Also a special thank you to Eric who cares so much about the cemetery and Carnton and the battle of Franklin and has written two great books on the subject, which I treasure. I still wonder about another Laney buried there. On the roster, he is listed as J. Laney, (Row 25, #61) He is also listed as being from the same county in Mississippi, but in “D” Company, but also in the 5th Reg. I was sure he was also a relative, but can find no information about anyone else in our family being killed in Franklin. Does anyone know his first name? Thanks to everyone again for a wonderful visit to Franklin and an experience at Carnton that I will treasure for the rest of my life. Elaine Everett Shelton, Whitehouse, Texas
June 12, 2009 at 9:12 pm
sharon alberque
both videos break my heart each in its own particular way. the first as if lamenting a loved one lost. the second the voice and longing of the soldier sacraficed. after reading Widow of the South, i can picture it all…
October 28, 2009 at 1:44 pm
Maureen Rousseau
I was fortunate enough to be able to walk through the cemetery earlier this year. It was a cold, windy, overcast day and so quiet. I felt a sense
of peace in spite of being in a place where so many victims of terrible carnage were buried. Reading about war had never bothered me until I read “Widow of the South” and learned how the tactics of war at that time insured that many many men would be killed. The cemetery is a reminder that in spite of the horrors of war, there are people like Carrie McGavock who tried to do some good by making sure that young men were buried with their own. The cemetery is a hallowed place and all generations of Americans who visit it should come away feeling proud of the young men buried there and all young men who have given their lives in all wars.