Franklin in Williamson County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

Federal Forward Line

Photographed By Sandra Hughes, December 27, 2012

1. Federal Forward Line Marker

Inscription. On November 30, 1864, Col. Joseph Conrad's and Col. John Lane's brigades of Brig. Gen. George D. Wagner's Federal Second Division, Fourth Corps, were placed east and west of the road near this position one half mile south of the Federal main line. Acting Federal field commander Maj. Gen. Jacob D. Cox had warned Wagner that if pressed too closely by the enemy to withdraw his two brigades into the main line. Instead of conveying this order to the forward line, Wagner commanded his brigades to stay in position and fight. Lt. Gen. A.P. Stewart's Confederate Corps flanked the Federal line to the east as Brig. Gen. Hiram Granbury's Texas Brigade pierced the center. The Federal line disintegrated into a stampede as the troops raced toward the main line near the Carter House.

Erected by Salt Creek Civil War Round Table Wheaton, Il. Save the Franklin Battlefield, Inc.

Topics. This memorial is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical month for this entry is November 1889.

Location. 35° 54.594′ N, 86° 52.478′ W. Marker is in Franklin, Tennessee, in Williamson County. Memorial is at the intersection of Columbia Avenue (U.S. 31) and Fairgrounds Street, on the right when traveling south on Columbia Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1504 Columbia Avenue, Franklin TN 37064, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At

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least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Battle Ground Academy (approx. ¼ mile away); Battle of Franklin (approx. ¼ mile away); a different marker also named Battle Ground Academy (approx. ¼ mile away); Franklin Housing Authority (FHA)/ Reddick Street (approx. 0.4 miles away); Beasley Town / Bate's Division on the Western Flank (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Carter Farm (approx. 0.4 miles away); a different marker also named The Carter Farm (approx. 0.4 miles away); a different marker also named The Carter Farm (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Franklin.

More about this marker. Recent maps put the location of the Federal forward line about 75 yards further north.

Photographed By Sandra Hughes, December 27, 2012

2. Federal Forward Line Marker

Battle of Franklin battlefield map image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Unknown, 1874

3. Battle of Franklin battlefield map

The two brigades held the "V" about 650 yards in advance of the Union main line.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 12, 2020. It was originally submitted on January 3, 2013, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. This page has been viewed 782 times since then and 52 times this year. Last updated on March 12, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 3, 2013, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. 3. submitted on March 12, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.