Franklin- Eyewitness accounts

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I continued until O fell in to the big long ditch outside of the breastworks. I then got up to the works so that the Yankees could not bring their peices to bear upon me. . I struck hard and fast to my postion. The ditch was full of men dead, living and wounded. . If I ever prayed earnestly in my life it was then. It seemed to me that the Federals had concluded to kill every man in the ditch.
Capt R.N. Rea, Sears Brigade
I spent the entire afternoon upon the top of the barn and woodshed, in a tree top* and ither gigh places seeing all that could be seen. At the time the first assault was made the bukkets were flying and whizzing around everywhere to such an extent that I concluded I was as liable to be hit as a soldier and I retreated to the cellar.. Harding Figures age 15

*(The tree that he speaks was in the Figures yard not to far from their home.. It just recently fell down after some very strong storms came through. The tree has been estimated to be over 400 yrs old)

When night came down, the groans and frenzied cries of the wounded on both sides of the earthworks were awe inspiring. The ravings of the maimed and mangled . . . were heart rending. Crazedwith pain, many knew not what they did or said... Sgt Maj. Banks Acting Adjutant 29th alabama Shelly's Brigade


"One of the Drafted men of the company was brought in from the ditch outside mortally wounded. No doubt he had reached the ditch. . to exhausted. . to climb over the breastwork and had lain out amoung the rebels where he was repeated hit by our own fore. The pain of his wounds had made him crazy for he could not talk but kept crawing about on all fours moaning in Agony"

"I step up into the embrasure a short distance from the cotton gin,, the sight that met my eyes was the most horrible even in the dim starlight."

"The mangled bodies of the dead rebels weere piled up as high as the mouth of the embrasure and the gunners said that repeatedly when the lanyard was pulled the embrasure was filled with men crowding forward to get in who were litetally blown from the mouth of the cannon, the ditch was ppiled promiscuously with the dead and badly wounded and heads arms and legs were sticking out in almost every conceivable manner. The ground near the ditch was filled with the moans of the wounded and the pleadings of some of those who saw me for water and for help were heartreading."
Capt John K. Shellenberger 64th Ohio Inf. Conrad's Brigade

"Nothing could be heard but the wails of the wounded and the dying, some calling for their friends, some praying to be relieved of their awful suffering and thousands in the deep agonizing throes of deth filled the air woth mouthful sounds and dying groans" Capt. Hickey 1st Missouri Cockrells Brigade

" I could ghear the wounded calling for help in every direction. I again wanted water and thought I would again drink from the water in the ditch, biut this time it tasted of blood and I managed to get my canteen from under me and drank from it." Lt. Mintz 5th Arkansas, Govans Brigade (who has been blinded)

The ground upon which i was laid was hard frozen, , the wind was coming from the north and I soon became very cold. . At about this time the army of the enemy camre by in full retreat. A theuy passed me someone cursed and abused me other spoke kindly to me and one soldier said to me 'you will freeze here before morning' he pulled from his shoulders a pair of heavy blankets and placed them over me. I asked him his name 'My name is H.A. Bsarr My home is in Willow springs Nabraska. I dont blame you for fighting for the south . i am for the north because my home and family reside there. Good Bye and God Bles you'

Soon along came another soldier and said ' you weill freeze here here if not protected from ythat cold wind' and he began placing boxes of crackers and other army surpplies around me to protect me from the north wind.

Others passed around , some threatening to bayonet me.

And soon another came along ... and said ' this will never do you will freeze here' Gathering some kindling would he split some boxes and made a good fire at my feet and passed on.. To theses three men I no doubt owe my life.
Col Stephens 31st Mississippi Featherston's Brigade (a wounded prisoner left by the by the retreating federals)

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At one time two companies of the One hundred and eighty-third Ohio, on our immediate left, broke and left their part of the Works unprotected. A body of the enemy occupied the outside of these works for some time. Here we shot down two color-bearers, and prevented their entering the works, till they were again occupied by two companies of the Eightieth Indiana. As the Eightieth was moving to the left to occupy this position I threw one company on the right center--where the enemy's fire at that time was very light--over the works, and fired one volley into rebels as they lay upon the outside of our works.

During the engagement we took among other prisoners Lieutenant Lee, aide-de-camp, of General S. D. Lee's staff. -- Col. O. L. Spaulding 23rd Michigan Infantry

"The blood actually ran in the ditch,and in places saturated our clothing where we were lying down." Private Rhea H. Vance 29th Mississippi

"The line was formed in a few minutes. Bates' Division, French's Division, and Cleburne's Division led the way. Our Division was to support Bates. We drove them from one line of works and had charged them in the second line. . . we was ordered charge and we rushed upon them and drove them from their position. .
We crossed over into the ditch, we was obliged to lie down in the ditch to protect ourselves, but the ditch was not deep enough to shelter us.

We lay there and fought them about 2 hours when they took advantage of the darkness and withdrew their force in the direction of Nashville. "Private Calvin J. C. Munroe of Company G, 25th Alabama

"The locust grove to our left center consisted of trees about four to twelve inches in diameter. Nearly every one was cut down by bullets from the enemy, and fell with tops from their works. They were a mass of splinters from about two to twelve feet high. " W.L. Truman 1st Missouri Battery

"I was met by a person on horseback inquring for General Sharp. I made my self known when he said,.' .. General Bates Says that of you will let your left rest on the (Widow Bostick's) brick house and swing around as you move forward, you will take the enemys works.' I sent my staff officers, except my aid , Captain Harris to coution the men not to fire."

"We were with in thirty paces of the enemy's Works when the darkness was lighted up as if by an electric display . . . . The enemy was there to greet us. . . . Our brave boys gave a yell, scambled through the locust grove and went into the works."

"I was shot just below the knee and it seemed as if my leg was shivered into splinters. I directed Captain Farris to report to colonel Bishop that I was wounded, and direct him to assume command of the brigade. . . Colonel Biship was killed at the works, and Colonel Simms's leg was broken; Colonel calhoun was . . . wounded; and from that on it seems to have been mananged by the company officers and the ... men that were spared" Brig. Gen. Jacob H. Sharp

"We were ordered to omit the usual 'yell', conceal our approach under cover of the darkness and make a spirited dash for the works. My own path lay through the north edge of the famed 'locust grove'. Our progress was retarded by the brush which had been cut down. We clambered over pulled through , or crawled under on our hands and knees... We reached the works just a little left of the carter Brick dwelling.
Our first clash was fierce struggle across the works, at the very muzzles of our guns. . . Thw enemy in our Immediate front were forced back, and the flag of the 41st. Mississippi regiment was borne across the works to the persuit some distance to the front, a squad of us aligning ourselves with the colors. . . The rally for a advamce was not genearal, and we returned under cover of the embankment. The enemy again returned to contest for the works. . . There was a brief but fierce clash again, another shout for the advance. Captain Spooner . . . mounted the works and walked to and fro waving his sword and encourageing his men. his symmetic form could be seen through the darkness by the light from the perpetual flash of our guns."

Some one assisted me ... to bring a cartouch of ammunition , left by the enemy, across to our side. This gave us a abundant supply of ammunition , and we settled down to a steady fusillade to our front and left. .. to our left. .. the other side of the ditch was filled bluecoats just a few rods from us. . . We could shelter under the works and pour an enfilade fire down their line. This was too much for them and one desperate effort after another was made by them to force their way up to the ditch to our immediate front. as we poured our deadly fire down their line, we could distinctly hear the death groan and agonizing cries of the wounded.... The Contest was thus continued for hours - it seemed an age, and we began to feel ourselfs in great straits. We had been long with out orders, not the voice of a commanding officer could be heard. We were hard pressed. What should we do? At this time , in an interval between the onslaughts, Capt. John Reed called a few heads togerther to deside whether we should hold out , retreat, or surrender.. The decision was to fight till the end."

"After this it became apparent that the enemy was not so aggressive. The Fireing slackened. There were intervals of dead silence to be broken again by the crack of the rifles.. A death - like silence was pervadind the hush of night. . . when a clear voice from one of our watchmem rang out: 'Look at that yankee right there!' Pop! pop! pop! rang out a number of the rifles. With the stealth of a indian he had designed to creep apon us and give us a farewell shot, and was discovered within a few yards of our lines. His life paid the forfeit of his folly." George W. Leavell of the 41st. Mississippi in Sharps Brigade

"Oh the groaning and praying and pleading I never before heard and God knows I do not want to do again" Private in the 23rd michigan

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"I was suffering great pain from were i was shot through the right leg , I was also hungry and cold, haveing had nothing to eat since early morning. That meal was only a peice of cornbread cooked in the ashes of our camp fire. I had but one thin blanket. I lay on part of it and drew the other part over me. the ground beneath was frozen. Capt. William C. Thompson 6th Mississippi"

Just before starting on our midnight march north acroiss the river. . I visited with a group of prisioners and guards that halted along the roadside. The big hearted guards were sharing liberally from their haversacks with the prisoners. It wadan impressive incident to witness with such comradship and to listen to their jokes.

All of the psioners were ragged and dirty mostly in butternut homespun and nearly all wore black or gray slouch hats, several marked with bullet holes. Some of the olderones were silent and thoughtful, but the younger men were cheerful and apparently enjoying their captive life.

It was plainly noticiable in the faces of nearly all of them tthat they had lost heart in their cause, but there were exceptions for some were still defiant and full of fight as shown by their bold and dogged expressions" Capt Scofield Gen. Cox's staff


"in the Cellar er hudled close to the western wall. My brother , just older than mysaelf a negro man and my dog fannie were my companiones. I felt perfectly safe for a while. Somthing I heard made me laugh and the negro man said 'Marse Harding dont you know thar we all be killed if you laugh?' My dog crouched at my feet and whined"

A dud bomshell struck the main sill of the house just ovber our heads.. I said to my brother we are in range of that cannon and i am goining out of here.

He replied you will be killed in a minute if you go out.

I said I rather die upstairs that down here .. When I got upstairs the house was full of confederate wounded. I made up fires, found pillows made them all as comfortable as possible as making pallets on the floor and dressing their wounds as best I could. I was the only member of the family in the house my mother and the children had sought safty by going to neighbors house down the street.

As soon as the firing ceased, which was about 2wo o'clock inthe morning. . My mother came home and at once took charge of the situation. In a little while all the wounded soldiers were calling her 'Little Mother' " Harding Figures age 15

I saw men on the march drop by the roadside, so exhausted that nothing short of a job from the rear guard bayonet would induce them to continue their way. The Bayonet thrust was usually accompanied by the cry. 'Get up or the Johnnies will get ya! Rebel prisons had a reputation that was a stench to the land and everyone was anxious to keep out of them. A.J. Jones 24th wisconsin

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"Some time during the later part of the night of the 30th, we started (to Nashville) on quick . . . Surrounded by a guard... Gen Hood's Cannons gfrequently hurried us on the road from quick time to a swift run; in fact we were almost constantly under the necessity of running very fast to keep beyonf their range." John M. Copley 49th Tennessee Quarles Brigade



Mrs McGavocks House was in the rear of our line. This was taken as a hospital and the wounded , in hundreds, were brought to it during the battle, andd all the night after. Ever room was filled, every bed had two poor, bleeding fellows, every spare space, nich, and corner under the stairs, in the hall, everywhere -0 but one room for her own family.

And when the nobel old house was could hold no more, the yard was appropriated unyi the wounded and the dead hilled that, and all that were not priovided for.

Our Doctours were deficient in bandages, and she began by giving her old linen, then her towels, amd napkins, then her sheets and table clothes, then her husband's shirts and her own undergarments.

"During all this time the surgeons plied their deadful work amid the sighs and moans and death rattle. Yet asmid it all, this nobel woman. . . was very active and constantly at work. During all the night neither she nor any of the household slept, but dispensed tea and coffeeand such stimulants as she had and that two with her own hands.. she walked from room to room from man to man her very skirts staind with blood." Capt. William D. Gale - Lt. Gen Alexander P. Stewart's staff

Col. W. S. Nelson of the 12th Lousiana , Lay dying torn to pieces by a discharge of grape and canister at close range.. Both legs were crashed by a cannon ball and his bowels torn by iron grape. Poor fellow! such agony f0r several hours few men ever endured, His eyes, through exhaustion caused by pain, sank deep back into his head....

'Give me forty grains of morphine' he called out all through the night. 'Give me forty grains of morphine and let me die!' 'Oh Can't' I Die?' ' My Poor Wife and Child!'' My Poor Wife and Child!'

"OMG ! Can you get the surgeons to administer some drug that will relieve me of this torture"

I did try through my appeals were in vain. " Cold presperation gathered in knots on his brow and of course (he ) knew that death was inevitable. . . "I went down the steps and far beneath the silence of the stars to escape his piteous prayers.
C. E. Merrill Adjutant General , Brig. Gem Scott's Staff

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November 30, 1864 -

A McMinnville Confederate Woman's Impressions of the Battle of Franklin

. . . Wednesday [30th] was a golden day. . . I was out in the yard the greater portion of the day—and set out some hyacinths and tulips. While at our pleasant work on this pleasant day—I would pause every now and then to listen to a dull shudder in the air, which we so well knew to be distant cannon. It reminded me so forcibly of the day when the battle of Stone's River was fought—Tho' that was just one month later, and the day tho' bright was not so warm. There was a fresher breeze on that day too and the cannonading sounded much louder. Towards evening on Wednesday the guns seemed to redouble their efforts, but the sound was different. Instead of being a shudder in the air, the reports came like a thick—falling thud—Mollie had come home that day and we listed to the guns with hearts filled with varied emotions. Hope and fear, joy and sadness swayed us by turns. Towards nightfall all was quiet.
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War Journal of Lucy Virginia French, entry for December 3, 1864.

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James A. McCord's letter to his brother describing the battle at Franklin

Franklin Tenn
Decr. 3rd 1864

Dear Brother
After a long and very hard march, we arrived at this place, the 30th day of Novr. about 4 oclk when we went immediately into a fight and every one says that it was the hardest fought battle that has been fought during the war. There is no telling what our loss is. We lost ten Genls killed & wounded. Genls Cleburne Granburry, Gist, Adams, Strahl, & one more I forgotten were killed and four that were wounded. Granbury's celebrated brigade left this place yesterday morning with 137 Guns all told. Hall & Jno Tom Gillispie * was both killed dead on the field, and nearly every one of the company fared the same fate. The larger portion of Genl Bates Div acted very cowardly in the first of the fight. Tyler's & Finley's and Jackson's left would not charge the works.

I was skirmishing in front of Tyler & Finley and they run three times and left
me on the hill begging them to come back when one of old Abes boys plugged
me in the right foot, making it a severe wound, tho not a serious one I hope. I am well cared for. I do not know any place where I could fare as I do here. The people are the kindest in the world especially the Ladies. The world does not know their superior and I doubt that their equal can be found.

Lt McKibbin wounded in left fore arm. Troy Saunders slightly in arm (gone back to Co.) Mo Mays & Ben Deason were wounded but not dangerous I believe. I do not know how your company suffered (but little I believe). No Country knows a braver man than Genl Bates. I am proud to say that there was no one between me and the Yankees when I was wounded.
You will have to excuse this short letter as my foot pains me a great deal & I do not know when I will get a chance to send off though I believe I will put it in the P. O. Give my love to all.

Truly yours
Jas A McCord

James A. McCord Correspondence.

* Cpl. William Hall Gillespie, Co B, 7th Texas Infantry was mortally wounded and died at Franklin, Tennessee. He is buried in McGavock Confederate Cemetery

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The last soldier to die from wounding at Franklin was Rebel Heinrich Harmier of Robertson's Battery. He was struck in the left eye by a minie ball, or a fragment, that lodged in his skull. Except for the loss of sight in that eye, Harmier did not have apparent long term physical or mental impairment. But the wound never completely healed. Recurring flare-ups of infection and excruciating headaches forced Harmier to repeatedly seek medical and finally, surgical relief.

On Valantines Day, February 14, 1912, the old soldier died of his wound. At long last, Heinrich Harmier was released from the torment that began over 47 years earlier at The Battle of Franklin, Tennessee.

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Taken from a letter to a Ohio newspaper from a member of the 111th OVI

Camp 111th Regiment O.V. I.
Franklin Tennessee Dec. 19th 1864

My first report of the casualties at this place, in the fight on the 3oth of November are incorrect. I stated our loss at 12 killed. I regret to state that our loss is heaver and is at 20.

As soon as we arrived at this point a detail was made from the regiment to disinter and bury our dead in a decent manner. Nearly all have been identified, and by tomrrow morning they will all be placed in seperate graves, with head boards marked with name and company.

The rebels buried their own dead were they hell. There are between ninety and a hundred rebel dead in front of the ground occupied by the 111th OVI. The following is nearly correct. The 5th Missouri 31 graves; the 41st Mississippi 20 graves; the 6th Tennessee 21 graves; the 16th Tennessee 19 graves, the 22nd Alabama 7 graves some of which are inside our works.

The causualties of the 111th OVI in the fighting at Nashville are light. .. The rebels were badly whipped at Nashville. It ios asserted by rebel officers that the flower of their army was up at Franklin. The 111th had 1 killed and 9 wounded at Nashville.

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3rd great grandson of Daniel Marion Craft
22nd alabama Infantry Co. G (1861-1865)

"Who fought in and survived the Battle of Franklin"

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[ole]

Powerful stuff, Steven. Thanks.
Ole