Carter House, Franklin, TN - Museum

If you are in the central Tennessee area, near Franklin, and love Civil War history, you will certainly not want to pass the opportunity to see the Carter House. This brick structure saw one of the fiercest battles ever fought in the Civil War, and is considered by many to be the turning point in the War.

In the Fall of 1864, General Hood had just been put in by President Jefferson Davis to replace the injured commander, Joseph E. Johnston. His commission was to drive out the Federal forces, especially Sherman, away from Atlanta and General Lee.

The Federal forces already had command in the Franklin area, and now had decided to stay and confront General Hood. The Federals had 22,000 infantry and 13,500 cavalry, and they quickly set up headquarters in the Carter House. The family, and some neighbors stayed in the basement during the fierce battle. Coming at them, the Confederate army had 20,850 infantry and 5,000 cavalry.

General Hood very strongly believed in frontal assaults and he could not be dissuaded otherwise by his generals. The battle of Franklin was probably the bloodiest battle in the Civil War, apart from Gettysburg. Often referred to as the "the bloodiest hours of the American Civil War," it was also considered to be the "Gettysburg of the West," as their Web site proclaims. Many Confederates almost got to the house, but were bayoneted or clubbed to death before they could get inside.

The Battle only lasted five hours, from 4 PM until 9 PM, on November 30, 1864. During those hours, however, many men lost their lives. Out of the Federal army, there were more than 2,500 casualties; and of the Confederates, there were more than 7,000 casualties. Only one general of the Union army was injured, but on the Confederate side, 15 out of 28 generals were lost.

On the next morning, when the Confederates went on to the property, they discovered that the Union army had left. They were moving north toward Nashville to join the forces already there.

Today, the Carter House and nearby property has become a Museum dedicated to the many thousands who lost their lives there. One of the buildings, the Carter House Farm Office, is the most battle-scarred building still standing from that war. There are more than 1,000 bullet holes in the structure.

Just after the war, land for a cemetery was donated to by the McGavock Family in 1866. There were more than 1,480 soldiers of the Confederate army buried there.

Tours are given every day of the Carter House and grounds, but it is closed on holidays. This includes a video that reveals information about the battle. There is also a Museum with artifacts from the Battle of Franklin. The Tour includes visiting the eight acres of the battlefield, the Abbey Leix Mansion, and the Carter House. There is a Gift Shop.

Special days also take place on the grounds during the year. On the Anniversary of the Battle, for instance, they have Re-enactors come in and reenact the Battle for a couple of days. There are also people there who will be giving Living History demonstrations, too. A special ceremony also takes place to commemorate those who died there, and the tombstones will also be illuminated.