Atlanta.  After the fall of Atlanta on September 1, 1864, Confederate General John Bell Hood led the Army of Tennessee north towards the Union supply center at Nashville in an attempt to divert William T. Sherman's attention from the underbelly of the Confederacy.  Instead, Sherman decided to leave his supplies behind and allow his army to forcibly secure its provisions from Confederate citizens during the "March to the Sea."  He detached General John Schofield's Army of the Ohio to counter Hood's advance.  

Atlanta.  After the fall of Atlanta on September 1, 1864, Confederate General John Bell Hood led the Army of Tennessee north towards the Union supply center at Nashville in an attempt to divert William T. Sherman's attention from the underbelly of the Confederacy.  Instead, Sherman decided to leave his supplies behind and allow his army to forcibly secure its provisions from Confederate citizens during the "March to the Sea."  He detached General John Schofield's Army of the Ohio to counter Hood's advance.  

Atlanta.  After the fall of Atlanta on September 1, 1864, Confederate General John Bell Hood led the Army of Tennessee north towards the Union supply center at Nashville in an attempt to divert William T. Sherman's attention from the underbelly of the Confederacy.  Instead, Sherman decided to leave his supplies behind and allow his army to forcibly secure its provisions from Confederate citizens during the "March to the Sea."  He detached General John Schofield's Army of the Ohio to counter Hood's advance.  

Nashville.  Nashville, Tennessee was an important railroad hub that had fallen into Union hands earlier in the war.  It now served as one of the main supply depots and communication centers in the western theater.  By recapturing Nashville, Hood hoped to significantly delay Sherman's advance and destroy the portion of his army garrisoned in the city. 

Nashville.  Nashville, Tennessee was an important railroad hub that had fallen into Union hands earlier in the war.  It now served as one of the main supply depots and communication centers in the western theater.  By recapturing Nashville, Hood hoped to significantly delay Sherman's advance and destroy the portion of his army garrisoned in the city. 

Nashville.  Nashville, Tennessee was an important railroad hub that had fallen into Union hands earlier in the war.  It now served as one of the main supply depots and communication centers in the western theater.  By recapturing Nashville, Hood hoped to significantly delay Sherman's advance and destroy the portion of his army garrisoned in the city. 

Schofield's exposed force would narrowly escape destruction and would become a formidable foe behind the breastworks at Franklin.  On November 29, the day before the Battle of Franklin, John Bell Hood managed to divide Schofield's army and surround a portion of it at Columbia, Tennessee when Schofield attempted an evacuation of the Duck River line.  He planned a series of attacks on the Union army as it tried to escape his trap.  Unfortunately for Hood, command confusion engulfed his own army throughout the day.  The Confederate attacks were continually disrupted by misunderstood orders until Hood's subordinates finally allowed their exhausted soldiers to bed down for the night.  The remainder of John Schofield's army passed within earshot of Hood's slumbering men as the Union soldiers completed their withdrawal to the formidable defenses at Franklin. 

Schofield's exposed force would narrowly escape destruction and would become a formidable foe behind the breastworks at Franklin.  On November 29, the day before the Battle of Franklin, John Bell Hood managed to divide Schofield's army and surround a portion of it at Columbia, Tennessee when Schofield attempted an evacuation of the Duck River line.  He planned a series of attacks on the Union army as it tried to escape his trap.  Unfortunately for Hood, command confusion engulfed his own army throughout the day.  The Confederate attacks were continually disrupted by misunderstood orders until Hood's subordinates finally allowed their exhausted soldiers to bed down for the night.  The remainder of John Schofield's army passed within earshot of Hood's slumbering men as the Union soldiers completed their withdrawal to the formidable defenses at Franklin. 

Schofield's exposed force would narrowly escape destruction and would become a formidable foe behind the breastworks at Franklin.  On November 29, the day before the Battle of Franklin, John Bell Hood managed to divide Schofield's army and surround a portion of it at Columbia, Tennessee when Schofield attempted an evacuation of the Duck River line.  He planned a series of attacks on the Union army as it tried to escape his trap.  Unfortunately for Hood, command confusion engulfed his own army throughout the day.  The Confederate attacks were continually disrupted by misunderstood orders until Hood's subordinates finally allowed their exhausted soldiers to bed down for the night.  The remainder of John Schofield's army passed within earshot of Hood's slumbering men as the Union soldiers completed their withdrawal to the formidable defenses at Franklin. 

Wagner's shattered troops, retreating towards the main line, would act as a human shield for approaching Confederates.  Wagner's men helped the Confederates more than they harmed them.  Half a mile in front of the main line in an exposed position, the outnumbered Union soldiers broke after firing only one volley.  The Confederates were hot on their heels, forcing the riflemen behind the main breastworks to hold their fire for fear of hitting their comrades in the onrushing mass.  As a result, the last half mile of the Confederate charge, the distance that would ordinarily have exacted a fearful toll on the attackers, was largely uncontested.  Hit at full steam, the center of the Union line quickly splintered.  

Wagner's shattered troops, retreating towards the main line, would act as a human shield for approaching Confederates.  Wagner's men helped the Confederates more than they harmed them.  Half a mile in front of the main line in an exposed position, the outnumbered Union soldiers broke after firing only one volley.  The Confederates were hot on their heels, forcing the riflemen behind the main breastworks to hold their fire for fear of hitting their comrades in the onrushing mass.  As a result, the last half mile of the Confederate charge, the distance that would ordinarily have exacted a fearful toll on the attackers, was largely uncontested.  Hit at full steam, the center of the Union line quickly splintered.  

Wagner's shattered troops, retreating towards the main line, would act as a human shield for approaching Confederates.  Wagner's men helped the Confederates more than they harmed them.  Half a mile in front of the main line in an exposed position, the outnumbered Union soldiers broke after firing only one volley.  The Confederates were hot on their heels, forcing the riflemen behind the main breastworks to hold their fire for fear of hitting their comrades in the onrushing mass.  As a result, the last half mile of the Confederate charge, the distance that would ordinarily have exacted a fearful toll on the attackers, was largely uncontested.  Hit at full steam, the center of the Union line quickly splintered.  

Shy's Hill.  The Union army was drawn up along the outskirts of Franklin, entrenched behind breastworks that had been partially constructed from timber pulled from the Carter Cotton Gin.  The Confederates crossed Carnton Plantation and pierced the blue line near the Carter House.  For almost five hours, the Carter property was the scene of desperate close-range combat that left thousands dead or wounded.  Captain Tod Carter, the middle child of the Carter family and an assistant quartermaster in Hood's army, was killed only five hundred feet from his boyhood home. 

Shy's Hill.  The Union army was drawn up along the outskirts of Franklin, entrenched behind breastworks that had been partially constructed from timber pulled from the Carter Cotton Gin.  The Confederates crossed Carnton Plantation and pierced the blue line near the Carter House.  For almost five hours, the Carter property was the scene of desperate close-range combat that left thousands dead or wounded.  Captain Tod Carter, the middle child of the Carter family and an assistant quartermaster in Hood's army, was killed only five hundred feet from his boyhood home. 

Shy's Hill.  The Union army was drawn up along the outskirts of Franklin, entrenched behind breastworks that had been partially constructed from timber pulled from the Carter Cotton Gin.  The Confederates crossed Carnton Plantation and pierced the blue line near the Carter House.  For almost five hours, the Carter property was the scene of desperate close-range combat that left thousands dead or wounded.  Captain Tod Carter, the middle child of the Carter family and an assistant quartermaster in Hood's army, was killed only five hundred feet from his boyhood home. 

Benjamin Cheatham.  Fourteen Confederate generals became casualties at the Battle of Franklin--six killed, seven wounded, and one captured.  States Rights Gist was shot and killed leading the first charge on the Union works.  Patrick Cleburne vanished in a cloud of smoke and was later found with a bullet in his heart.  John Adams rose above the carnage after the battle, riddled with bullets, astride a dead horse with one set of legs on either side of the breastworks.  Benjamin Cheatham survived the battle and eventually surrendered with Joseph E. Johnston in South Carolina.

Benjamin Cheatham.  Fourteen Confederate generals became casualties at the Battle of Franklin--six killed, seven wounded, and one captured.  States Rights Gist was shot and killed leading the first charge on the Union works.  Patrick Cleburne vanished in a cloud of smoke and was later found with a bullet in his heart.  John Adams rose above the carnage after the battle, riddled with bullets, astride a dead horse with one set of legs on either side of the breastworks.  Benjamin Cheatham survived the battle and eventually surrendered with Joseph E. Johnston in South Carolina.

Benjamin Cheatham.  Fourteen Confederate generals became casualties at the Battle of Franklin--six killed, seven wounded, and one captured.  States Rights Gist was shot and killed leading the first charge on the Union works.  Patrick Cleburne vanished in a cloud of smoke and was later found with a bullet in his heart.  John Adams rose above the carnage after the battle, riddled with bullets, astride a dead horse with one set of legs on either side of the breastworks.  Benjamin Cheatham survived the battle and eventually surrendered with Joseph E. Johnston in South Carolina.

"...like men."  Patrick Cleburne was a native-born Irishman who had moved to Arkansas before the war.  He joined the Southern cause and quickly rose from the lowest rank of private to that of major general.  One of the most respected soldiers on either side, Cleburne was prevented from advancing further after he publicly proposed arming slaves and allowing them to fight for their freedom in the Confederacy.  William Hardee offered this epitaph after Cleburne was killed at Franklin: "Where this division defended, no odds broke its line; where it attacked, no numbers resisted its onslaught, save only once; and there is the grave of Cleburne."

"...like men."  Patrick Cleburne was a native-born Irishman who had moved to Arkansas before the war.  He joined the Southern cause and quickly rose from the lowest rank of private to that of major general.  One of the most respected soldiers on either side, Cleburne was prevented from advancing further after he publicly proposed arming slaves and allowing them to fight for their freedom in the Confederacy.  William Hardee offered this epitaph after Cleburne was killed at Franklin: "Where this division defended, no odds broke its line; where it attacked, no numbers resisted its onslaught, save only once; and there is the grave of Cleburne."

"...like men."  Patrick Cleburne was a native-born Irishman who had moved to Arkansas before the war.  He joined the Southern cause and quickly rose from the lowest rank of private to that of major general.  One of the most respected soldiers on either side, Cleburne was prevented from advancing further after he publicly proposed arming slaves and allowing them to fight for their freedom in the Confederacy.  William Hardee offered this epitaph after Cleburne was killed at Franklin: "Where this division defended, no odds broke its line; where it attacked, no numbers resisted its onslaught, save only once; and there is the grave of Cleburne."

Osage orange branches.  Tangles such as this, called "abatis," were commonly employed to disrupt, slow, and discourage enemy formations during the Civil War--a kind of 19th century barbed wire.  The Osage-orange branches at Franklin were uncommonly strong and thick, presenting a deadly hazard to the Confederate attackers.  Many Union soldiers would later recall the nightmarish sight of the abatis full of tangled corpses. 

Osage orange branches.  Tangles such as this, called "abatis," were commonly employed to disrupt, slow, and discourage enemy formations during the Civil War--a kind of 19th century barbed wire.  The Osage-orange branches at Franklin were uncommonly strong and thick, presenting a deadly hazard to the Confederate attackers.  Many Union soldiers would later recall the nightmarish sight of the abatis full of tangled corpses. 

Osage orange branches.  Tangles such as this, called "abatis," were commonly employed to disrupt, slow, and discourage enemy formations during the Civil War--a kind of 19th century barbed wire.  The Osage-orange branches at Franklin were uncommonly strong and thick, presenting a deadly hazard to the Confederate attackers.  Many Union soldiers would later recall the nightmarish sight of the abatis full of tangled corpses. 

Emerson Opdycke.  Emerson Opdycke led a brigade in Wagner's division.  When Wagner ordered him to join the rest of the brigade in his advanced line, Opdycke refused.  He instead marched his men to a position about two hundred yards north of the Carter House and allowed them to fall out and prepare breakfast.  When the meal was interrupted by clouds of terrified soldiers fleeing the carnage at the breastworks, Opdycke threw his brigade forward to stabilize the line at bayonet point. 

Emerson Opdycke.  Emerson Opdycke led a brigade in Wagner's division.  When Wagner ordered him to join the rest of the brigade in his advanced line, Opdycke refused.  He instead marched his men to a position about two hundred yards north of the Carter House and allowed them to fall out and prepare breakfast.  When the meal was interrupted by clouds of terrified soldiers fleeing the carnage at the breastworks, Opdycke threw his brigade forward to stabilize the line at bayonet point. 

Emerson Opdycke.  Emerson Opdycke led a brigade in Wagner's division.  When Wagner ordered him to join the rest of the brigade in his advanced line, Opdycke refused.  He instead marched his men to a position about two hundred yards north of the Carter House and allowed them to fall out and prepare breakfast.  When the meal was interrupted by clouds of terrified soldiers fleeing the carnage at the breastworks, Opdycke threw his brigade forward to stabilize the line at bayonet point. 

The Henry had a rate of fire of roughly twenty-eight rounds per minute.  With a sixteen-round magazine, the Henry could put out around ten rounds per minute in the heat of battle.  Conversely, the rifled muskets carried by the Confederates could be fired about once per minute in battle.  This massive firepower advantage became even more pronounced during the close-range shootout around the Carter House, which became so packed with men that there was hardly room to complete the complex procedure of reloading a musket. 

The Henry had a rate of fire of roughly twenty-eight rounds per minute.  With a sixteen-round magazine, the Henry could put out around ten rounds per minute in the heat of battle.  Conversely, the rifled muskets carried by the Confederates could be fired about once per minute in battle.  This massive firepower advantage became even more pronounced during the close-range shootout around the Carter House, which became so packed with men that there was hardly room to complete the complex procedure of reloading a musket. 

The Henry had a rate of fire of roughly twenty-eight rounds per minute.  With a sixteen-round magazine, the Henry could put out around ten rounds per minute in the heat of battle.  Conversely, the rifled muskets carried by the Confederates could be fired about once per minute in battle.  This massive firepower advantage became even more pronounced during the close-range shootout around the Carter House, which became so packed with men that there was hardly room to complete the complex procedure of reloading a musket. 

They would evacuate Franklin and continue their retreat northwards.  Hood wanted to defeat Schofield's army before Schofield reached Nashville, where an additional 25,000 fresh soldiers were entrenched.  The Battle of Franklin, fought a day's march from Nashville, was Hood's last chance to crush Schofield on roughly equal numerical terms.  After severely repulsing Hood at Franklin, Schofield continued his planned movement and linked up with his reinforcements in the capital city.  Hood continued his pursuit, precipitating the Battle of Nashville two weeks later. 

They would evacuate Franklin and continue their retreat northwards.  Hood wanted to defeat Schofield's army before Schofield reached Nashville, where an additional 25,000 fresh soldiers were entrenched.  The Battle of Franklin, fought a day's march from Nashville, was Hood's last chance to crush Schofield on roughly equal numerical terms.  After severely repulsing Hood at Franklin, Schofield continued his planned movement and linked up with his reinforcements in the capital city.  Hood continued his pursuit, precipitating the Battle of Nashville two weeks later. 

They would evacuate Franklin and continue their retreat northwards.  Hood wanted to defeat Schofield's army before Schofield reached Nashville, where an additional 25,000 fresh soldiers were entrenched.  The Battle of Franklin, fought a day's march from Nashville, was Hood's last chance to crush Schofield on roughly equal numerical terms.  After severely repulsing Hood at Franklin, Schofield continued his planned movement and linked up with his reinforcements in the capital city.  Hood continued his pursuit, precipitating the Battle of Nashville two weeks later. 

Reclaiming the Cotton Gin location.  The reclamation process at Franklin has become one of the Civil War Trust's greatest success stories against some of its longest odds.  In partnership with many local preservation organizations, the Trust hopes to next restore the Cotton Gin property, a significant tract in the heart of the battlefield.  This land, consecrated by thousands of Union and Confederate soldiers during the decisive Battle of Franklin, is currently the site of a strip mall and pizzeria. 

Reclaiming the Cotton Gin location.  The reclamation process at Franklin has become one of the Civil War Trust's greatest success stories against some of its longest odds.  In partnership with many local preservation organizations, the Trust hopes to next restore the Cotton Gin property, a significant tract in the heart of the battlefield.  This land, consecrated by thousands of Union and Confederate soldiers during the decisive Battle of Franklin, is currently the site of a strip mall and pizzeria. 

Reclaiming the Cotton Gin location.  The reclamation process at Franklin has become one of the Civil War Trust's greatest success stories against some of its longest odds.  In partnership with many local preservation organizations, the Trust hopes to next restore the Cotton Gin property, a significant tract in the heart of the battlefield.  This land, consecrated by thousands of Union and Confederate soldiers during the decisive Battle of Franklin, is currently the site of a strip mall and pizzeria.