Blog Author
Kraig McNutt is the author and publisher of this blog.
Email him.
Join our Facebook Community
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!
A Franklin Civil War Museum?
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.
10 comments
Comments feed for this article
June 27, 2008 at 3:44 am
tellinghistory
Well, I’ll start. I think Franklin should definitely have a world-class Civil War museum. There are many reasons why.
(1) The memory and sacrifice displayed on the field at Franklin – from both sides – inspires us to come together and tell that story in a way that merits that sacrifice.
(2) Our community is already at the lead in being creative and successful in reclaiming battlefield land. A world-class museum would give us more momentum and exposure.
I can suggest more reasons but I want to hear from other people first. I’ll interact with future comments.
Kraig McNutt
June 27, 2008 at 6:39 pm
Sam Gant
This is a great concept to promote. Franklin has the great Civil War house museums and some outstanding displays of artifacts related to the Battle of Franklin, but Dr. Lossom’s mention of his coming to Nashville “to research” is the key. A “world-class” Civil War museum must have not only extensive displays for the general public but almost unlimited Civil War research capabilities. The space for both are becoming available at the Carter House, but the big bucks to pay for them is not yet there. Also, I do not know if any serious planning has be done for the reseach part of a museum.
June 29, 2008 at 6:03 pm
Mike Walker
I believe Dr. Losson’s challenge of creating a world class Civil War museum in Franklin is an outstanding idea and worthy of investigation. Franklin as a location has a lot going for it with recent preservation work and growing visitation. Also the timing is right with interest in the Sesquicentennial growing. Sam is absolutely right, research resources is a key ingredient of such a museum. A concern is that we already have multiple projects underway seeking dollars. However, this project could appeal to a much larger pool of potential donors than are currently being tapped. Also, the interest could bring in more dollars for ongoing projects.
June 30, 2008 at 4:12 pm
Rick Warwick
Dr. Chris Lossom gave an informative keynote address at the recent Civil War symposium. Why not a world-class Civil War center in Franklin? With Carnton and the Carter House to build upon, it would only take leadership, vision and community support. Dr. Lossom also encouraged Franklin to concentrate on a study of life in Franklin during Federal occupation and the post war period.
July 5, 2008 at 12:11 am
TokenHistoryChick
I agree with Rick’s comment. A study of life experiences during and after the war would broaden the audience and provide interest where there may have been none.
In my opinion, this museum needs to be a separate entity from Carnton and the Carter House. They both excel at telling their own stories and that should not be interferred with or touched. Their information should absolutely be assessible, so as to increase their attendance, but we need a museum that provides much more scope than has previously been offerred to visitors. We want it to be a destination point of unparalleled quality.
September 3, 2008 at 12:03 am
Bob and Donna Werner
Without a doubt. A world-class Civil War museum would tie all your efforts together. In addition, is there another in the midwest or midwest-south that can compare to what you already have? We have been to Gettysburg and we were not near as “touched” by descriptions and presentation as we were at Frankin. There is too much passion there to not try. If passion can be weighed in pounds, two persons we met, Eric Jacobson and David Fraley, have a ton each. Use it, spend it – it is priceless. We are small players in this. We can contribute little, but with two great-grandfathers footprints on the fields that make up the grounds of Battle of Franklin, we can and will do what we can – even if it is only enjoying your efforts as time moves on. Good luck!!!!
Bob and Donna
Bluffton, SC
October 9, 2008 at 6:39 pm
Bruce Hohler
Without question, Franklin needs a world class museum. Although it was one of hte darkest moments in the War for the South, we should never forget the sacrifices soldiers on both sides made here in fighting for their homeland and beliefs. This is a tremendous part of American history that never needs to die as so many here did. Let’s do it.
Bruce & Bonnie Hohler
Thompsons Staion, Tn.
December 6, 2008 at 9:43 am
Grant H. Cole
Absolutlely. Not only general Cleburne, but for all of the brave men North and South who fought there should be honored with all due repect that they command.
I, For one, would be intersted to contribute money, although I’m now retired and have fixed income.
Please send more notification of how we can help.
May 21, 2009 at 9:25 pm
Charlie Townsley
Franklin definitely needs amuseum to promote the battle and the aftermath. Living in Maryland I spend a good deal of time on the eastern battlefields and only lately have branched out to the western theatre.
After taking a tour of Franklin and Spring Hill through the Civil War Education Association led by Dave Heinze and Thomas Cartwright I developed a new appreciation for the Battle of Franklin. With all the press that Pickett’s Charge has received over the years is nothing compared to the hell of Franklin. Franklin is certainly overlooked and any efforts to memorialize the men that fought and died there is way overdue.
May 25, 2009 at 8:20 pm
Joy
After moving to the south more recently- I have come to realize the vastly important historical contribution the nearby battles of the Civil War made to the USA history. The Franklin civil war sites and surrounding area history is of enormous importance to that era.
We have a huge opportunity to draw our young citizens from all over the USA to Franklin, to become engaged with our history through family vacations. Also, memorializing the fallen soldiers is a very important and adds to the understanding of the sacrifices made during the Civil War.
In comparison, we recently visited the battle history centers in the Tupelo MS area and we came away realizing that Franklin has so much more to offer!
Franklin really needs an interpretative-interactive center (Museum) and much more interactive koisks to elevate education regarding the Civil War and to elevate Franklin’s visibility.
I think we are leaving a great deal “on the table” by not optimizing the Civil War education through a museum, and by not engaging more tourism. Our geographic access to the Natchez Parkway could also allow Franklin to draw more tourism. This link may not be fully exploited.
Joy