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On Friday November 27th, the Union army began arriving at the Carter House
on Columbia Pike in Franklin. Taking possession of the Carter’s home and
farm, the army set up camp, posted sentinels, and began cooking supper.
Members of the 5th and 9th Kentucky Infantry, 1st Tennessee and 17th
Missouri Infantry were present.
At the Carnton Plantation, the Confederate Army were making camp also.
Members of the army were 1st Tennessee and 46th Tennessee Infantry, along
with 26th Alabama Infantry.
The battle began at 2:30 on November 28th when the Confederate Artillery
opened fire on the Union Infantry as they rushed to make earthworks north
of the Carnton Plantation. Three artillery pieces were in place on the
Union line and returned fire for several minutes. Under the leadership of
Captain Greg Zelinske, the 17th Missouri and 1st Tennessee Infantry
deployed and returned fire. The second company under the leadership of 1st
Sergeant David Hosch, second sergeant Bill Sanders also deployed to the
left to face the Confederate advance. Thanks to the 7th Tennessee
Dismounted Cavalry, with repeating arms, the day was saved from the
Confederates taking the victory.
The Confederate advance under the leadership of Colonel Joe Grosman, along
with support from Captain Dave Belcher, 46th Tennessee and Captain Tod
Richardson, 26th Alabama Infantry, the charge toward the Union line was
spectacular. The battle lasted about an hour with plenty of artillery
support from both sides.
The Sunday battle was also well presented with infantry charges and
artillery support lasting about one hour. A special thanks and mention
goes to the artillery batteries that helped make the re-enactment a
success. Freeman’s Battery, Muscle Shoals, Ala. Buckner’s Battery,
Louisville, Ky., Porter’s Battery, Clarksville and Tennessee Ridge, TN,
Greg Calloway’s Battery, Nashville, TN. Also, to the number of men that
joined these companies without designated regiments. Also, a special
thanks to 1st Tennessee Infantry for portraying both U.S. and C.S troops.
The event organizers were the Carter House, Carnton, Save the Franklin
Battlefield Inc, the Franklin Battlefield Task Force, and the Franklin
City Parks Dept. These groups fully understand and appreciate the
considerable effort and expense borne by these reenactors and volunteers
in order to make this 145th Anniversary event a great success here in
Franklin.
On November 30th, 2009 at 4;00 p.m., the annual march from Winstead Hill
to the Carter House was conducted in memory of the 145th Anniversary of
the Battle of Franklin. Approximately 30 re-enactors and 40 Civilians
participated. It was the final act in a very full and meaningful weekend
for all.
Aerial
photos were made by Snap Roll Aerial Photography and can be seen at their
web site.
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