PPT Charge compared to Franklin

[whitworth]

Both Gettysburg on July 3rd and Franklin were slaughterhouses for the Confederate armies.

As for Franklin, one should read Sam Watkin's account from his book, Company Aytch.

[EricJacobson]

Yeah especially the part where he talks about Cleburne being shot 49 times and Gist with his sword still in his hand. I agree that Sam's descriptions at times are fabulous, but he's a little goosey with some of the fine details.

[samgrant]

Originally Posted by EricJacobson

All in all, the Confederate attack at Franklin towers over the July 3rd attack at Gettysburg referred to as Pickett's Charge. More men and more ground to cover, about 1 3/4 miles compared to 1 mile.

There is a reason men who fought at Franklin called Gettysburg the "Franklin of the East."

I have noticed several comparisons between "Pickett's Charge" at Gettysburg and Hood's Attack at Franklin (and their subsequent repulse).

These accounts remark about the respective assaults mostly in terms of numbers of troops engaged in the assaults, and their casualties, with a lesser emphasis, but no disregard for, such variables as terrain, artillery support, etc.

What is most remarkable to me is that so many of these, appear to make some kind of case as to why the Franklin and/or the Gettysburg was more significant than the other for such and such reasons.

While I can understand this in the context of, say, repartee between Confederate Vets at reunions, etc., I wonder why our present day folks continue to make these comparisons.

Is it to argue that there was more valor, more persistence, more gallantry, ferociousness, determination, loyalty to the cause, ... etc. at one battle more than the other?

It begs the question to compare: was there more unwisdom, foolishness, stupidity, misguidedness, ineptitude, ... etc. in both of these attacks?

Both in vain, to be mourned.

-

[ole]

Quite thoughty, Sam. It is something to think about. These men, boys really, but men nevertheless, threw their lives into something beyond our comprehinsion. We can talk about it for a while.... or a long time....but they were soldiers. Under the Battle flag or the stars and stripes, they rallied, they fought, and they died. By the thousands.

Is there anything more compelling than that? Is there anything more irrational?

For why? Well. Here we go again.

ole

[PINCKNEYUSMCRET]

I think General MacArthur said it best "Duty, Honor, Country", I believe that is why they did it, and continue to do it today.

Pinckney

[larry_cockerham]

Seems to me that one of the greater differences between Gettysburg and Franklin were the number of charges and spread-out locations at Gettysburg versus a single focal point at Franklin. The "J" (upside down and reversed) at Gettysburg was much longer. Aside from Pickett, there were separate charges at Culp's Hill and Little Round Top. Differing terrain and greater numbers. Franklin threw in an extra player, the onset of darkness.

[Ozark Iron John]

Originally Posted by larry_cockerham

Have you seen a map of Federal corps and regimental locations during the battle?

Take a look at this my friend. It might be just exactly what you're wantin' to se.

http://alabamamaps.ua.edu/historical.../franklin.html

[OpnDownfall]

To me both attacks were mostly about Guts and Glory, Both were forlorn hopes, at best, but there is a difference in how most view the two attacks. Picketts Charge gets most of the 'Glory' accolades from post CW students while the 'Guts' goes to Franklin. Mainly because more people like Lee than they do Hood.
Two misbegotten attacks and useless sacrifice of life, but one personifies the glory of Lee, while the other personifies the iniquities of Hood.

[cw1865]

Hood just has no excuse for it, he was at Gettysburg. Plus the consequences of a Confederate victory at Gettysburg are far more pivotal, and the overall scale of the battle is much larger, more men involved overall.....

[custersluck13]

Originally Posted by PINCKNEYUSMCRET

I think General MacArthur said it best "Duty, Honor, Country", I believe that is why they did it, and continue to do it today.

Pinckney

I dunno. I know when we launched ground ops in Kuwait, I wasnt thinking any of that. I just knew I had a squad I wanted to bring home alive, and the best way to do that, was through the enemy. I think, for the boys in the ranks, you know as well as I, you fight for each other. What the officers are doing is completely unknown. God bless those grunts, then and now.