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.
