Repeating Rifles at Franklin

[13 IL Cav & 64 GA Inf]

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The 28th Kentucky Infantry U.S. was armed with Spencer Repeating Rifles at Franklin. They were posted a mile out in front of the main line as part of Wagner's brigade. Due to orders from a drunkard, the 28th had to skeedadle back to safety ahead of the rampaging rebels.
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When the section of the works that ran through the Carter family garden was excavated in 2010, a large number of Spencer shell casings were found.

That was a surprise because the Illinois regiment assigned to that stretch of line did not have Spencer's. Apparently the men of the 28th KY had scrambled into the works near the Carter House & fought from there.

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Judging by the number of spent & dropped bullets, the ten shots / minute of the Spencers contributed greatly to the Illinois 3 shots / minute loading in nine times defense of the works.

By the time of the Battle of Franklin, Union weaponry and overall resources had become dominant. The longer the war had lasted, the more of a one-sided slaughter in favor of the Union it would have become.