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Battle of Franklin: the story on HearLore | HearLore
— Ch. 1 · Strategic Context And Campaign Background —
Battle of Franklin.
~7 min read · Ch. 1 of 7
The year 1864 marked a turning point for the Confederate States Army. Following his defeat in the Atlanta campaign, Lieutenant General John Bell Hood planned a bold offensive northward into Tennessee. His invading force numbered 39,000 men, yet he faced over 60,000 Union troops in the region. Hood hoped to lure Major General William T. Sherman away from Georgia by disrupting railroad supply lines between Chattanooga and Atlanta. When Sherman chose to march to Savannah instead of pursuing Hood, the Confederate general found himself unopposed in the south. The task of defending Tennessee fell to Major General George H. Thomas, who commanded forces totaling about 30,000 men near Nashville. Hood's plan involved seizing Nashville, a key manufacturing center, before advancing further north toward Kentucky. He even expected to recruit 20,000 additional soldiers from Tennessee and Kentucky along his path. Historian James M. McPherson later described this strategy as scripted in never-never land. Hood had recovered from serious wounds to his leg and arm but still suffered pain that limited his mobility during the campaign.
The Road To Franklin And Spring Hill
On November 21, the Army of Tennessee marched north from Florence, Alabama, covering significant distance in just three days. They moved to surprise Union forces split between Pulaski and Nashville. Union commander John Schofield executed a rapid retreat from Pulaski to Columbia, where an important bridge over the Duck River stood on the turnpike north. Despite losses from cavalry raids led by Nathan Bedford Forrest, Schofield reached Columbia and erected fortifications hours before Confederates arrived on November 24. From November 24 through 29, Schofield blocked Hood at this crossing while both sides reorganized their armies. On November 28, Thomas directed Schofield to prepare for withdrawal north to Franklin. Early on November 29, Hood sent Benjamin F. Cheatham's and Alexander P. Stewart's corps on a flanking march across Davis's Ford east of Columbia. Two divisions of Stephen D. Lee's corps remained south to deceive Schofield into thinking a general assault was planned against Columbia. By noon on November 29, Hood had outflanked Schofield, placing his army in critical danger. The Battle of Spring Hill that afternoon offered Hood a golden opportunity to destroy Union troops but failed due to command errors and premature confidence. Through decisive leadership and luck, Union infantry passed Spring Hill unscathed by dawn on November 29, soon occupying Franklin to the north.
Defensive Preparations And Tactical Setup
Union advance guard arrived in Franklin around 4:30 a.m. on November 30 after a forced march from Spring Hill. Brigadier General Jacob Cox temporarily assumed command of the XXIII Corps and began preparing strong defensive positions around deteriorated entrenchments from 1863. Schofield decided to defend with his back to the Harpeth River because no pontoon bridges were available for crossing. Engineers rebuilt a burned wagon bridge while laying planking over an intact railroad bridge to carry wagons and troops. Supply trains parked in side streets to keep the main pike open as wagons crossed via ford or makeshift bridges. By the beginning of the assault, nearly all supply wagons had reached the road to Nashville. By noon, Union works formed an approximate semicircle around town from northwest to southeast. Counterclockwise from the northwest stood divisions commanded by Kimball, Ruger, and Reilly. A gap existed where Columbia Pike entered the outskirts, left open to allow passage of wagons. About behind this gap, a 150-yard retrenchment line was constructed of dirt and rails intended as traffic barrier rather than full earthwork. Actual earthworks in southern portion featured four-foot wide ditch, four-foot high wall of earth and wooden fence rails, plus three-to-four foot deep trench where defenders aimed through narrow head gaps formed by logs. In southeast portion, Osage-orange shrubs formed almost impenetrable abatis. Just behind center of line stood Carter House, appropriated as Cox's headquarters.
The Frontal Assaults And Carter House Fighting
Hood's army began arriving on Winstead Hill two miles south of Franklin around 13:00. He ordered frontal assault in dwindling afternoon light with sunset at 16:34 that day. This decision caused dismay among top generals who argued against attacking strong positions. Patrick Cleburne observed enemy fortifications as formidable yet declared he would either take them or fall in attempt. Confederates moved forward at 16:00 with Cheatham's corps on left and Stewart's on right. Initial contact enveloped 3,000 men under Lane and Conrad which collapsed quickly under pressure. Nearly 700 of Wagner's men were taken prisoner while fleeing troops stampeded back to main breastworks. As Confederates poured into breach, reserve regiments including 44th Missouri and 100th Ohio stood ground but faced danger of being overwhelmed. Emerson Opdycke repositioned his brigade straddling road about 200 yards north of Carter House. Hand-to-hand fighting erupted around Carter House employing bayonets, rifle butts, entrenching tools, axes, and picks. When cannonballs ran out, defenders used pine cones from surrounding trees. Firing continued around Carter house and gardens for hours. Many in Brown's division pinned down unable to advance or flee. Each side fired through embrasures or over parapets at close range attempting dislodge other. Cleburne killed in attack plus 14 of his brigade and regimental commanders became casualties.
Catastrophic Losses Of The Officer Corps
The Battle of Franklin resulted in devastating losses among Confederate generals and regimental commanders that effectively destroyed Army of Tennessee leadership structure. Fourteen Confederate generals suffered casualties: six killed, seven wounded, one captured. Fifty-five regimental commanders also fell as casualties. Five generals killed included Patrick Cleburne, John Adams, Hiram B. Granbury, States Rights Gist, and Otho F. Strahl. A sixth general, John C. Carter, mortally wounded died later on December 10. Wounded generals included John C. Brown, Francis M. Cockrell, Zachariah C. Deas, Arthur M. Manigault, Thomas M. Scott, and Jacob H. Sharp. One general, George W. Gordon, captured during fighting. Among dead was Tod Carter, middle child of Carter family who enlisted three years earlier then returned home only to be wounded few hundred yards from own house found by family after battle dying early next day. Historian Andrew Bledsoe wrote wastage of officer corps irreparably harmed army morale disrupted command structure deprived it talented experienced commanders. Timing attack just before twilight combined fact most officers mounted preserve command control fading light created result logical terrible deliberation. Union losses reported 189 killed, 1,033 wounded, 1,104 missing though possibly under-reported due confusion during hasty nighttime evacuation.
Aftermath And The Subsequent Battle Of Nashville
Following failure of Johnson's assault Hood decided end offensive actions evening plan resumed series attacks morning. Schofield ordered infantry cross river starting at 23:00 despite objections from Cox withdrawal no longer necessary Hood weakened should counter-attacked. Although period existed where Union army vulnerable outside works straddling river Hood did not attempt take advantage it during night. Union army began entering breastworks Nashville noon December 1 with Hood damaged army pursuit. Damaged Confederate force left control Franklin but enemy escaped again. Though briefly come close breaking through vicinity Columbia Turnpike Hood unable destroy Schofield prevent withdrawal link up Thomas in Nashville. Unsuccessful result came frightful cost. Union commanding general claimed Confederates suffered 6,252 casualties including 1,750 killed 3,800 wounded though not corroborated by Confederate reports. Estimated 2,000 others suffered less serious wounds returned duty before Battle Nashville. Army Tennessee badly damaged Franklin nevertheless rather retreat risk dissolving through desertions Hood advanced 26,500 man force against Union army now combined under Thomas firmly entrenched Nashville numbered more than 60,000. Hood department commander Gen P.G.T. Beauregard requested reinforcements none available strongly outnumbered exposed elements attacked Thomas the 15th of December 16 defeated decisively pursued aggressively retreating Mississippi just under 20,000 men. Army Tennessee never fought again effective force Hood career ruined.
Battlefield Preservation And Modern Commemoration
The Carter House stands today open to visitors located center Union position site covers about acres. House outbuildings still show hundreds bullet holes. Carnton Plantation home McGavock family during battle also stands open public converted largest field hospital present after battle often with 30 wounded each small room house. Adjacent Carnton McGavock Confederate Cemetery where 1,481 Southern soldiers killed battle buried. Adjacent surrounding Carnton another acre battlefield formerly Franklin Country Club golf course currently being converted city park. Much rest Franklin battlefield lost commercial development spot Gen Cleburne fell covered late 2005 Pizza Hut restaurant. City officials historic-preservation groups recently placed new emphasis saving remains land over which battle raged. In 2006 acre land bordering southwestern end Carter House property acquired help American Battlefield Trust local organizations. Land part of that made up Carter Family Garden during battle saw tremendous fighting part brief Confederate breakthrough. After purchase house out-buildings swimming pool removed. During excavation original Federal entrenchments human bones found. Starting 2005 area around intersection Columbia Ave Cleburne St seen serious renewed effort reclaim area heart future battlefield park location former Pizza Hut now home Cleburne Park. Property where Carter Cotton Gin located during battle purchased 2005. In 2008 property behind location Federal line crossed Columbia Ave purchased May 2010 property east Gin location part Gin may stood also purchased. All locations houses sold moved torn down. Preservation organizations plan reconstruct both Carter Cotton Gin some Federal entrenchments.
The Battle of Franklin occurred on the 30th of November 1864. Union advance guard arrived in Franklin around 4:30 a.m. on that date after a forced march from Spring Hill.
Who commanded Confederate forces at the Battle of Franklin?
Lieutenant General John Bell Hood commanded the Confederate Army of Tennessee during the battle. His invading force numbered 39,000 men against over 60,000 Union troops in the region.
What were the casualty figures for the Confederate army at the Battle of Franklin?
Union commanding general claimed Confederates suffered 6,252 casualties including 1,750 killed and 3,800 wounded though not corroborated by Confederate reports. Fourteen Confederate generals suffered casualties with six killed, seven wounded, and one captured.
Where was the Carter House located during the Battle of Franklin?
The Carter House stood just behind center of the Union defensive line near Franklin. It served as headquarters for Brigadier General Jacob Cox and became the site of intense hand-to-hand fighting.
Why did the Confederate attack fail at the Battle of Franklin?
Hood ordered a frontal assault in dwindling afternoon light with sunset occurring at 16:34 that day. This decision caused dismay among top generals who argued against attacking strong positions while command errors and premature confidence contributed to failure.