Early dawn found the head of our weary columns fleeing into Franklin. Just after we passed Spring Hill our wagon train was attacked by Rebel cavalry and several wagons burned. The headquarter guards with the train had quite a little battle before the cavalry was driven off. Cousin Shelley was Sergt-commanding. Among the burnt wagons was one containing my valise. Otherwise came through 
safely though it seems a special providence that our rear was not captured consisting of detached portions of troops and artillery and many wagons. It was a terrible march over a narrow road which was one solid mass of moving trains, artillery and infantry. I completely lost my company in the darkness and crowding. Just as we came in sight of Franklin, I dropped in a fence corner and not particularly caring what happened, I was so worn out. But after a short rest and hearing the firing of our rear guard which was approaching, I went and found a few of my company, and in a short time all of them turned up from various quarters. We drew rations and made coffee and was lined up in position where we proceeded to throw up temporary works as we often had done. Our lines was extended from the Harpeth River above town to the river just below, and of a horse-shoe shape. We rested easy until about 3 pm. Myself and company however were placed out on picket and had dug some rifle pits to spend the night and providing the Rebs would let us. Between 3 and 4 pm the Rebels began showing themselves and our cavalry falling back. There was no skirmishing by us for the Rebs formed two lines of battle and came dashing out of the woods in fine style, a skirmish line in front and one in the rear. I yelled to my skirmish line to fall back to the works and started myself. Finding I had to cross the range of one or other of two cannons that were planted at angles, I chose my chances to go between them. The cannoneers were excited and not time for one man to get out of the way. When such a good mark as those advancing columns, I gave a leap at the instant. The pieces were discharged and repaired to my company and loaded guns while the men fired. When the advancing line came up within range the infantry behind the works , a sheet of flame leaped forth with death and wounds in it for hundreds of the brave men fighting for an ignoble cause . The whole scene of action was soon covered with smoke that but little could be seen in detail. For about a dozen times the Rebs was led to charge, only to be repulsed with great slaughter. Many of their banners were planted upon our works with the most heroic determination but was met with as determined resistance. The fight lasted for three hours and while it was going on a Reb and Union battery were having a duel overhead with their shells and shot which sometimes passed distressingly low over our heads. At eleven o’clock we were withdrawn and crossed the river on a pontoon and railroad bridge. The Enemy discovered our retreat and came crowding down the streets of the town. Our guns opened up on them and must have done them considerable damage. The bridges were burned by our forces and they started on their third night march towards Nashville, near which place cavalry firing again commenced . We arrived in range of its big guns and forts very very tired, though rejoicing in possession of 18 captured colors and near 3,000 prisoners.
Written by Addison Lee Ewing, Captain, Co F, 63rd Indiana Infantry
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Source: Ewing Mss. Manuscripts department, The Lilly Library, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN.
December 1 – Get up and leave. Regiment all get up at daylight. March for Nashville. Road full of troops. We capture a stand of rebel colors last night and a lot of rebs. Very hard fighting until midnight. Boys all fight well. 175th wins a laurel. B. [Bennett] Settles of Co. A killed. Several wounded.
The Battle of Franklin, November 30, 1864 