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

Battle of Franklin, Eastern Flank

Shells from Fort Granger

Photographed by Brandon Stahl

1. Battle of Franklin, Eastern Flank Marker

Inscription. About one mile (1.6 km) directly north of you stands Fort Granger, a large earthen fortification that provided the Union army a commanding view over much of this area. Built in the spring of 1863, Fort Granger sat on top of Figuers’ Bluff overlooking the Harpeth River and the town of Franklin. Its earthen walls encompassed twelve acres (24,000 square meters) and served as a main base of Union operations in the area through 1863. Small garrisons held the fort through 1864.

When Confederate Gen. John Bell Hood launched his 20,000-man assault here on November 30, 1864, solid shot and exploding shells fell in and around these fields and to your left. Col. Marcus D.L. Stephens, 31st Mississippi Infantry, reported that a single shell killed or maimed seven of his men just west of here.

Part of this deadly fire came from four 3-inch ordnance guns at the fort, manned by the artillerists of Battery D, 1st Ohio Light Artillery. Union commander Gen. John M. Schofield had posted the battery there just before the battle began. During the fight, the 1st Ohio’s gunners fired no fewer than 163 rounds, inflicting most of their damage

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on the Confederate infantry traversing the Nashville & Decatur Railroad bed about 660 yards (600 meters) to your left.

Erected by Tennessee Civil War Trails.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Tennessee Civil War Trails series list. A significant historical date for this entry is November 30, 1864.

Location. 35° 54.557′ N, 86° 51.627′ W. Marker is in Franklin, Tennessee, in Williamson County. It can be reached from Eastern Flank Circle 0.4 miles south of Lewsiburg Pike (Business U.S. 431), on the right when traveling west. Located in Eastern Flank Battlefield Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1368 Eastern Flank Cir, Franklin TN 37064, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Middle Tennessee

and in Greater Nashville.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian

Photographed by Brandon Stahl

2. Battle of Franklin, Eastern Flank Marker

Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Eastern Flank Battlefield Park (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Battle of Franklin, Eastern Flank (about 400 feet away); Advancing With Scott's Brigade (about 400 feet away); a different marker also named Advancing With Scott's Brigade (about 500 feet away); a different marker also named Battle of Franklin, Eastern Flank (about 600 feet away); a different marker also named Advancing With Scott's Brigade (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Battle of Franklin, Eastern Flank (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Battle of Franklin (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Franklin.

Three-inch Ordnance Guns image. Click for full size.

Library of Congress

3. Three-inch Ordnance Guns

Three-inch ordnance gun, a popular cannon with a range for slightly more than one mile.

Fort Granger image. Click for full size.

Library of Congress

4. Fort Granger

Fort Granger, today part of the Franklin Parks system and accessible to the public

Credits. This page was last revised on August 27, 2020. It was originally submitted on May 23, 2017, by Brandon Stahl of Fairfax, Virginia. This page has been viewed 526 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 23, 2017, by Brandon Stahl of Fairfax, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.