Civil War History - "What if..." DiscussionsWhat if they had attacked instead of digging in...? What if he was in charge of the army instead...? Did you ever have a "What if..." question, and you weren't sure where to post it? Here's the place to ask these speculative questions!
John Bell Hood had a decision to make that afternoon. His decision resulted in the loss of about 7,500 men and the attempt to break the center was unsuccessful. But what if he had succeeded? Routed the Federal army into the river and practically broke the back bone of the Federal 4th and 23rd Corps?
What if you were in command of the Army of Tennessee at Franklin on the afternoon of Nov. 30th, 1864. The night before you and your army allowed the entire Federal force to march past your front while you slept.
It seems to you that everything you tried to accomplish failed due to subordinate incompetence last night.
Now it is 2 p.m.. The sun will set at 4:30 and darkness by 5 p.m..
Forrest is on your right near the Harpeth River with Buford and Jackson's Cavalry Divisions - there are two good fords accessible, but heavily defended by detachments of Wilson's Federal cavalry.
Due north of your current position on Winstead Hill, you observe the Federals busily entrenching on the plains just south of the village about two miles away. There is a defilade position about a mile to your north where you will be out of sight of the enemy.
Currently deploying to your left is Chalmers' Division of cavalry over two miles distant.
To your front left is Cheatham's Corps - with Bate, Brown and Cleburne's Divisions. To the right deploying into the fields east of you is Stewart's Corps - with Loring French and Walthall's Divisions.
Your last Corps under S. D. Lee is still about six or more miles south, but just south of Winstead Hill is Johnson's Division of Lee's Corps.
The enemy appears to have three lines of entrenchment. Only one strong line, but it is well fortified and artillery is massed all along it.
It is apparent that at least some of the enemy infantry has already crossed to the north side of the river - but in what numbers?
You have to DO something!
Remember - 2 and 1/2 hours of daylight are all that you have.
If you bivouac in place tonight - the Federals will march on to Nashville and the security of the exceptionally strong fortifications there.
Post your plans - I will be the moderator/A. I./enemy movement.
Too much thinking. It makes my hair (what's left of it) hurt. What I wouldn't do is the much-tried and too-often-failed frontal assault. Probably go home and crack a cold one.
For multiple choice, I guess you would have the following possibilities:
A. All out Frontal Assault - May result in the loss of many men, but success will spell almost certain victory at Nashville.
B. Advance ONE corps to fient the enemy center, Move Forrest with Jackson and Buford to force a passage at the fords and cross with ONE corps of infantry to try and gain the enemy rear - but keep in mind - only two and a half hours of daylight and you have to march at least four more miles after crossing the river to gain the enemy rear with all of the enemy cavalry on the east side of town - not to mention the guns of Granger which dominate the country side.
C. Push all the Cavalry west of town and force a passage downstream reinforced by at least a division of infantry. Press the Union center with a corps - but do not commit to all out attack. Press the artillery forward and commence an all out bombardment of the entrenchments before dark to keep the enemy under pressure as it grows dark.
Based on your response - the result is what happened there. A slaughter - but if you don't write a scathing autobiography of yourself and your career, you should go down in history with high honors.
I like your choice "C." Questions like yours make me realize that I could never take the pressure of being a general. Was it possible to force a crossing downstream? That is, fordable areas? Bridges? Did Hood consider it?
At least Forrest, Cheatham and Stewart dissapproved of Hood's choice of the frontal assault. Forrest supposedly stated that with one good division he could force back the Federal Cavalry and cross the river to strike in the Federal rear. Stewart supposedly suggested crossing his corps and forcing the left of the Federal line also, but with daylight fastly fading - Hood - having failed a similar movement the night before decided against it. Put yourself in HIS shoes. Do you attempt something that you just failed at the night before with even less daylight?
Of course none of the dissapprovals of this action were mentioned in the corps commander's official reports.
All of their objections were mentioned after the war; however, officers present that day DID note that the corps commanders were against the idea of frontal assault - knowing the deadly consequences of it.
Had Hood been successful - just think... and the fact is - it very, very nearly was.
The Federals were very lucky that day. It was their bumbling that almost lost it for them and the disobedience of Col. Opdycke that pretty much saved the day.
For its hard to not use my knowlege of the battle .. But I shall try .. In considering the options of knowing what lies a head (thre lines of breastworks) Ii would have tried to go up the Carter creek pike see was on the union right and would attacked Kimbells diiv which was this area and as we know was less fortified.. Attaking one line of works is much better than trying to take on three . After the brake through if possible I would move for up the columbia pike as thes soldiers might have been pulled back in support of the attack on their right
The only problem is the lack of daylight
other option is to try to ford the River with forrest troops and at leastr a brigade of infantry
Could either have work .. God only knows.. But as you mentioned if it werent for some disobedance things might have been a little diffrent . The question is could they have held the groundi dont think their was enough panick on the left side of the line for them to fold as the did in the middle around the the columbia pike
steven
__________________ Steven Noel Cone Living Historian and Battlefield Preservationest
"Silver Spring Mess" ; "Citizens of the Bonnie Blue" ; "46th Tn Inf. Co. K"
Thanks for the help. I haven't at the battle in years and my brain keeps shedding cells.
"Do you attempt something that you just failed at the night before with even less daylight?" That's very close to the definition of insanity: trying the same thing repeatedly and expecting a different result.
Was Hood acting rationally? Or was he simply trying to make short work of Franklin so he could get on with Nashville?
The part that surprises me is that no one took Hood into the woods and buried him there. They just followed the suicidal order. Seems that a mutiny should have been in order.
I would insist Forrest ford the river. Failure not being acceptable. Sending over a couple divisions if I could. If it worked I'd funnel as many soldiers as I could through during the night. And hit them at first light.
If it failed I'd have had to try to hit the Union when they were pulling out the next day. I'd let them even go back to Nashville if I was unable to engage them. Circling the city to West then the north. Cutting off the river and the Railroads. Forrest could have a field day. Setting up defensive positions and let them come to me. Hood was fond of saying bayonets, not shovels etc. But a shovel is a mighty fine tool and a weapon in the hands of a soldier.
Although if I was swigging laudanum I might think what the heck. Let’s get it over with. Personally I think Hood’s attack was more of a punitive measure towards his generals than an honest assessment of the tactical situation. That or the liquid equivalent of a pipe dream.
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