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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.
8 comments
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July 15, 2008 at 2:53 am
William Davis
Hi. Kraig,
This is an outstanding website. I’m very impressed. The vedios are a great addition, and they’re like having a guided tour. I have a gg uncle that was killed in the battle of Franklin, TN. He was John Christopher Baldwin from Echo, AL. He was assigned to Co. B, 33 Alabama Inf. I’m guessing he may be buried as one of the unknown solders, but I have found a reference to a J. C. Balden in Co. G., 10th. Mississippi. He is buried in section 34 grave 191. I am wondering if this may be my gg uncle. I haven’t found any other reference to a J. C. Balden in the 10th. Mississippi. Don’t know if this is the type thing you do, but I would apprieciate any help or suggestions you my offer.
Thanks, Bubba Davis
September 12, 2008 at 3:57 pm
Reilly Witt
Sir,
I have made many drives from Miami fl to the Great Lakes and I enjoy the civil war history. From Atlanta to Louisville I’ve been to many battle sites.the large ones, Chickamuaga, Missionary Ridge, Stones River and the less known, Ringgold, Pickett’s Mill, both great places to see and easy to understand the battle and what took place . I plan to stop at Franklin next week. Only because the great site you have.
O f course there should be a museum.Its good for the local economy and people enjoy learning and ,best of all, seeing places of our past and the cost to maintain the freedom we all enjoy. Your pictures of the Memorial were inspiring and beautiful. A modern day movie could be made using the modern day people and the history of the battle.
The relative small site of the battle makes it better for those to see and understand the great sacrifice made that day 150 years ago.
Keep up the fine work
Witt
See ya in Franklin around the 10th of October
November 2, 2008 at 7:37 pm
Steve Heath
Kraig,
I will be making my first trip to Franklin next week, after years of reading everything I can find about those five incredible hours. Your Google map with the positions overlaid on the current city layout is a dream. I can’t imagine getting even close to an idea of the field without it. I have printed off several views from that map to take with me, and only wish I had a laptop to make use of the interactive features while on the field. Thanks for your work and your obvious passion.
Steve
December 2, 2008 at 4:41 pm
Sara
Kraig,
My husband and I are visiting the Nashville area during the holidays. This morning we heard an interview with Dr. James Dobson on the radio all about this battle of Franklin and now we are interested in visiting the site.
How far is it from Nashville? We will not have a car, is there transportation? Would you recommend anything to help us decide whether or not we should make the visit?
Much thanks for anything you can offer.
April 1, 2009 at 1:03 am
Reilly Witt
I spent 2 days last Fall in Franklin. I hope you guys realize what you have there. Unlike most civil war sites, its easy in Franklin to understand the battle.From the hills in the south to the fort in the north, to the Carter house to the cemetery. Its all there.
Last month I spent 2 days in Gettysburg, believe it or not, Franklin could be the Gettysburg of the WESTERN THEATER.
I know most of you who live there may be bored with the “old times” but keep up the good work because you’ll never have the opportunity again to show US citizens the sacrifice that was given to all Americans for our freedom
I’m making the florida to south bend trip next month and will spent some time back in Franklin.
Nice work Kraig
May 24, 2009 at 9:14 pm
K. Scott Mullins
Excellent website. I have been fascinated with Pat Cleburne since 1990 when I saw Rick Reeves painting, Twilight of an Army. Since that time, I have traveled across this country from Helena to Franklin to Perryville to Richmond, KY to Jonesboro, GA in search of Pat Cleburne’s past.
Pat Cleburne’s story is one of the great American Stories and needs to be shared with all Americans.
In my travels, I met a gentleman from Mountain View, MO who allowed me to copy pages from his ancestor’s diary. His ancestor fought in the 175th Ohio at Franklin. The diary details the 13 Confederate assaults that terrible night and also the fear that wracked the rookies of the 175th as they saw the Kentucky battery flee before the assault. They joined the counter attack when they saw Opdycke’s men lunching forward.
Not sure that this diary has ever been published. Let’s hope the owner will someday.
June 28, 2009 at 3:35 am
J. Michael Woody
Thank you so much for your passion and dedication to the memory of the heroes of Franklin. What drove these Confederates in a dying cause to attack impossible positions? Many of Hood’s army were from Tennessee therefore they were close to home. My ancestor is Tyree Coursey, Sgt. of Company A of the 24th Tennessee, CSA and was killed in front of the Carter House. He was 39 years old with 5 children only 30 miles from his home in Rover, Tn. Please forward any information about him and the 24th. My grandmother lived on Carter’s Creek Pike at Natchez Street therefore the fighting went right over her place. Treasured and hallowed ground! Thank you for all you do for us! Mike Woody
October 13, 2009 at 11:52 am
John Frost
I had the priviledge and honor of attending this historic and reverent event that took place to honor a fallen soldier, who will always be a brother in arms. The soldiers in gray and blue were so very detailed in their uniforms and never stepped out of character. The color guard mounted on horses, the flags representing the south and the north.
The coffin, draped in confederate flag and union flag. The horses that drew the casket down the main streets of Franklin with thousands and
thousands of on-lookers trying to savior every bit of this awestriking event. It was if you had stepped back in time somewhere in the mid 1860’s. Wow, it would give you chills. The reverance shown and the honor paid by both sides, gray and blue, was heartfelt. And who would believe but an “eagle” soared over the cemetery from the south to the north, never needing to flap his wings. There was a breeze there to cary him. God bless the “unknown” soldier and his family and most of all his country. I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.