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The Carter farm office is a wood frame structure. The Carter smokehouse is a brick building and sits beside the office. The Carter outdoor kitchen is a smaller brick structure. All received a lot of damage from bullet-fire during the Battle of Franklin.
Click on an image to enlarge.
In the past several years, the Battle of Franklin Trust has added numerous interpretive signs or markers around the Carter grounds. Click on individual images to enlarge.
Source below (GPT)
The Carter farm and grounds played a crucial role in the Battle of Franklin, which took place on November 30, 1864, during the American Civil War. The farm, owned by the Carter family, was situated south of the town of Franklin, Tennessee, and encompassed strategic positions that became focal points of intense fighting and critical decision-making during the battle.
The Carter house itself, a two-story brick structure, served as a key Confederate command post during the battle. General John Bell Hood, leading the Confederate Army of Tennessee, established his headquarters in the Carter house and used it as a central location to coordinate his forces. The elevated vantage point from the house allowed Hood and his staff to observe the battlefield and issue orders accordingly.
The farm’s open fields and surrounding terrain also became a battleground of immense significance. The Confederate forces, under Hood’s command, launched a series of desperate assaults against the fortified Union positions held by General John M. Schofield. The fighting was fierce and brutal, with Confederate soldiers repeatedly charging across the open ground in an attempt to break the Union lines.
One notable feature of the Carter farm was a simple rail fence that served as a makeshift defensive barrier for the Union troops. Known as the “Cotton Gin Line,” this fence provided some protection for the Union soldiers, who were outnumbered and under intense pressure from the Confederate attacks. The defense of the Carter farm became a focal point of the Union resistance, with soldiers fighting tenaciously to hold their ground.
The Battle of Franklin was one of the deadliest engagements of the Civil War, and the Carter farm witnessed intense violence and loss of life. The strategic significance of the farm and its surroundings, combined with the determination of both Confederate and Union forces, made it a critical focal point of the battle.
Today, the Carter house and the Carter farm are preserved as part of the Carter House State Historic Site in Franklin, Tennessee. Visitors can explore the grounds, tour the historic house, and gain a deeper understanding of the events that unfolded there. The site stands as a testament to the sacrifices made by soldiers on both sides and the enduring legacy of the Battle of Franklin.
Using actual period letter and diary content from Union soldiers who fought at Franklin, and retreated to Nashville after the battle, this simulated period newspaper article (using ChatGPT) helps us understand what some of the Union soldiers experienced between December 1st and December 14th, 1864, just prior to the Battle of Nashville.
The [Fictitious] Nashville Gazette
Early December 1864
Union Forces evacuate Franklin, heading for Nashville
In a bloody and relentless struggle, Union forces clashed with Confederate troops at the Battle of Franklin on December 1, resulting in a catastrophic loss of life. The valiant soldiers fought amidst the deafening roar of cannon fire, the whistle of bullets, and the chilling yells of combatants. The relentless exchange of shot and shell tore through the air, leaving devastation in its wake.
Private William Bentley of the 104th Ohio described their evacuation from Franklin and the fortune of having no casualties among their ranks. “About midnight (Dec 1st) we evacuated the place and fell back to this place,” Bentley explained. “Our loss was comparatively slight… We had six of our best men wounded, none killed which is very fortunate.”
Captain Brad F. Thompson of the 112th Illinois Volunteer Infantry, who personally experienced the horrors of the battle, described it as an indescribable and unforgettable day. “Men fell by thousands,” he expressed, “and shot and shell and grape and canister rattled thick and fast.” Nearly five thousand lives were lost on that fateful day, leaving behind grieving families and a nation in mourning.
Private Green Southard of the 121st Ohio Infantry chronicled the events leading up to the battle. On December 1, as dawn broke, the Union forces, en route to Nashville, discovered the Block House Station abandoned and troops moving towards Murfreesboro. They continued their march, arriving in Nashville without incident but faced adverse weather conditions. They camped near a battery amidst the rain, bracing themselves for the impending clash.
“In the direction of Murfreesboro, some rebs were visible,” Southard wrote, hinting at the looming confrontation. The uncertainties of war became apparent as the soldiers put up tents, only to have to dismantle them shortly after. “Some skirmishing and cannonading on our left and front,” he noted, “but no sign of an attack from Hood, neither do I believe he intends to do so.”
Meanwhile, reports from Private Frank Ashley of the 64th Ohio Volunteers indicated a shifting Confederate presence. The rebels were reportedly retreating towards Franklin, Tennessee, as cannonading echoed up the river. However, their proximity to the Union forces still posed a significant threat.
“…it is reported the railroad is cut between here and Louisville,” Ashley relayed. “It is also reported that the (rebels) are falling back in the direction of Franklin Tenn, but they are visible in our front. I have not heard of W. T. Sherman for some time, but he is alright without a doubt.”
Despite the challenges and the bitter cold, Captain Thompson held onto hope for a decisive victory. “I hope Hood will attack us here,” he stated confidently, “for I believe we can annihilate his army if he does.”
On December 11, an officer from the 63rd Indiana reflected on the aftermath of the Battle of Franklin. Having served in command of their brigade’s skirmish line, he expressed gratitude for his survival amidst the chaos. “Our Heavenly Father has spared me through another fierce conflict,” he wrote, “where many fell, more worthy than I.”
Private Joseph Garner of the 175th Ohio Infantry conveyed the chaos and bravery on the battlefield. “Our men had quit fighting and commenced to retreat. We left Franklin sometime after midnight. The Rebs did not follow,” Garner recounted. “We got the most of our wounded away. We fetched off the rest under a flag of truce.”
Private Edward Stevens of the 72nd Illinois conveyed the somber reality of the battle. Having fallen back to Nashville, he revealed the heavy losses suffered by their regiment and the regret over the loss of their battle flag. “We have fell back as far as Nashville with the enemy close upon us,” Stevens lamented. “We had a desperate fight at Franklin… We are expecting attack every moment.”
[Contemporary summary of Hood’s Retreat]
Retreating from the decisive Battle of Nashville, Confederate General John Bell Hood’s army faced a treacherous journey back to Alabama. The events that unfolded during Hood’s retreat shed light on the challenges and hardships endured by the Confederate forces. On the night of December 16, 1864, Lieutenant General Stephen D. Lee’s Confederate rear guard established their camp about seven miles north of Franklin, Tennessee. Exhausted and lacking supplies, the Confederate soldiers had hastily abandoned much of their equipment and muskets in their desperate rush to retreat from Nashville.
As dawn broke on the rainy morning of December 17, the Confederates resumed their march towards Franklin. Along the way, they encountered Union troops on two occasions. The first engagement occurred at Hollow Tree Gap, approximately five miles north of Franklin, resulting in a brief exchange of gunfire with Union Major General James Wilson’s advanced cavalry. A more significant skirmish took place around 9:00 a.m. when two mounted Union regiments launched a frontal charge against the Confederate line. Although the Confederates successfully repelled the attack, inflicting twenty-two Federal casualties and capturing an additional sixty-three soldiers, they realized the growing threat posed by the advancing Union forces.
Around 10:00 a.m., Lee’s rear guard made the decision to withdraw, aiming to cross the Harpeth River and reach Franklin. The Confederate soldiers encountered two bridges spanning the river—a temporary pontoon bridge and a railroad trestle bridge near Fort Granger. By 10:30 a.m., the last of the Confederate wagons had safely crossed the bridges, and the troops began disassembling the pontoon bridge. However, their progress was abruptly halted when Wilson’s cavalry launched an attack.
Brigadier General Randall Gibson’s Brigade, consisting of 500 Louisiana infantrymen, held their position near the river and the railroad overpass at Liberty Pike. Assisted by a portion of Brigadier General Abraham Buford’s cavalry and two field guns, they faced a formidable challenge. Despite their valiant efforts, the outnumbered Confederate soldiers were overwhelmed by the nearly 3,000 Federal cavalrymen. Buford’s cavalry was driven into disarray and forced into the rising waters of the Harpeth River, resulting in chaotic scenes of panic and confusion as the soldiers fled across the pontoon bridge.
During this tumultuous retreat, a Confederate battery positioned along Front Street in Franklin unleashed cannon fire upon Wilson’s cavalry, momentarily forcing them to retreat. Nonetheless, the respite was short-lived, as the Confederate soldiers faced the daunting task of dismantling the pontoon bridge while under enemy fire. Determined to prevent the Union troops from crossing, Hood’s army continued its withdrawal, eventually reaching safety in the town of Thompson’s Station.
Hood’s retreat from Nashville was marked by exhaustion, perilous river crossings, and fierce skirmishes with pursuing Union forces. The Confederate soldiers, already demoralized by their defeat at Nashville, now found themselves battling fatigue, adverse weather conditions, and overwhelming enemy numbers. Despite their resilience, the retreat marked a turning point in the Civil War, as the Union forces closed in on Hood’s army, bringing the Confederacy one step closer to its ultimate defeat.
Headline:
Confederate General Hood’s Retreat: Eyewitness Accounts Illuminate Harrowing Journey Following Battles of Franklin and Nashville
Subtitle: Union Soldiers Provide Firsthand Insights into the Trials and Tribulations of the Confederate Army’s Retreat
Nashville, December 28, 1864 – In the wake of the Battle of Nashville and the preceding Battle of Franklin, the Confederate army, led by General John Bell Hood, embarked on a grueling retreat back to Alabama. Eye-witness accounts from Union soldiers shed light on the intense battles and the hardships endured by the retreating Confederate forces, providing a firsthand perspective on this crucial phase of the Civil War.
Chaplain William C. Holliday of the 90th Ohio Infantry, Company S, documented the events unfolding on the battlefield through a series of letters and diary entries. Writing to his mother on December 18, 1864, Chaplain Holliday shared his observations: “Our troops had moved rapidly after the panic-stricken and fleeing rebels… They slept on the mud and under the rain… Rebels are still going. It is the greatest victory of the war.” Holliday’s account paints a vivid picture of the exhaustion and challenging conditions faced by both Union and Confederate soldiers during the retreat.
In another letter to his wife, written on the same day, Chaplain Holliday describes the aftermath of the Battle of Franklin: “The rebels suffered terribly. They assaulted our works and were killed by the hundred… I counted over three hundred and fifty graves. There were as many on the other side.” These harrowing details offer a glimpse into the ferocity of the fighting and the heavy losses suffered by the Confederate forces.
Moving forward to December 19, Chaplain Holliday’s letter from Spring Hill captures the ongoing pursuit of the retreating Confederates: “All day we have passed the wrecks of Hood’s fleeing army, signs of hot pursuit… Rain increases and our bed is wet as has been for some time.” The relentless pursuit by the Union soldiers and the challenging weather conditions paint a vivid picture of the difficult circumstances faced by the retreating Confederate army.
In addition to Chaplain Holliday’s accounts, the diary of Addison Lee Ewing, a soldier from the 63rd Indiana Infantry, provides further insights into the challenges encountered during the retreat. On December 20, Ewing notes the presence of wrecked Confederate equipment along the route of their march: “All day we have passed the wrecks of Hood’s fleeing army, signs of hot pursuit.” Ewing’s observation underscores the relentless pursuit of the retreating Confederates by the Union forces.
The retreat of the Confederate army was marked by hardship, exhaustion, and skirmishes with pursuing Union troops. Stripped of supplies and equipment, the Confederate soldiers faced increasingly difficult conditions as they made their way south. However, the Union forces, driven by their recent victories, pursued the retreating enemy with determination and resolve.
The Confederate soldiers’ retreat was a test of their endurance and resilience. With each passing day, the Union soldiers closed in on their retreating foes, pressing them relentlessly. The Confederate soldiers, once filled with hope and determination, now found themselves on the defensive, battling fatigue and the elements.
As the war continued to unfold, the Union forces remained steadfast in their commitment to restoring peace and unity to the nation. The Battle of Franklin and the Battle of Nashville had dealt significant blows to the Confederate cause, and the pursuit of General Hood’s army marked a critical phase in the Union’s efforts to bring an end to the rebellion.
The sacrifices and struggles endured by both sides in these battles served as a testament to the courage and resilience of the soldiers on the front lines. As we reflect on the events that have transpired, we honor the bravery and sacrifice of all those who have fought to preserve the Union and ensure a better future for generations to come. The retreat of General Hood’s army is a poignant reminder of the realities of war and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.
As the Civil War rages on, the nation eagerly awaits further developments, hoping for an end to the bloodshed and a return to peace. The battles of Franklin and Nashville have shifted the tide in favor of the Union, but the ultimate outcome of the war still hangs in the balance. The Union soldiers’ unwavering resolve and the Confederate soldiers’ dogged determination ensure that the path to victory will be arduous, but the dream of a reunited and stronger nation remains within reach.
The Battle of Franklin, November 30, 1864 