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

Opdycke's Bridgade

Photographed by Michael Dover, October 8, 2010

1. Opdycke's Bridgade Marker

Inscription. Col. Emerson Opdycke's Federal brigade was positioned in this area 150 yards north of the Carter House, east and west of Columbia Pike. Without orders, the Federal brigade attacked a portion of Cleburne's and Brown's Confederate divisions after they had broken the center of the Federal line. The forces met like "two enormous ocean waves crashing together." In vicious fighting, Opdycke's brigade recaptured the line south of the Carter smokehouse and farm office. Repeated attempts failed to recapture a portion of the main line held by the Confederates. Maj. Arthur MacArthur, of the 24th Wisconsin (father of World War II Gen. Douglas MacArthur) went down with severe wounds. Also involved were the 125th Ohio and the 36th, 44th, 73rd, and 74th/88th Illinois.

Erected by Williamson County Historical Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Tennessee – Williamson County Historical Society series list. A significant historical date for this entry is November 30, 1864.

Location. 35° 55.049′ N, 86° 52.394′ W. Marker is in Franklin, Tennessee, in Williamson County. It is on Columbia Avenue (U.S. 31) near W Fowlkes Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: 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 Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers.

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At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Franklin High School (a few steps from this marker); Lotz House (within shouting distance of this marker); Carter House (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named The Lotz House (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named The Carter House (within shouting distance of this marker); 125th O.V.I. (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Lotz House (within shouting distance of this marker); The Carter Farm (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Franklin.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Epicenter of the Battle of Franklin (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed).

Also see . . . Carter House The Battle of Franklin. (Submitted on February 6, 2011, by Michael Dover of Ellerslie, Georgia.)

Photographed by Larry Gertner, June 16, 2019

2. Opdycke's Bridgade Marker

Towards the northern end of the Carter House State Historic Site.

Opdycke's Bridgade bivouac image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Larry Gertner, May 22, 2007

3. Opdycke's Bridgade bivouac

The brigade bivouacked in this vicinity, on the far side of Carter Hill.

Union Gen. Emerson Opdycke image. Click for full size.

Library of Congress

4. Union Gen. Emerson Opdycke

Opdycke was a colonel at the time of the Battle of Franklin.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 28, 2026. It was originally submitted on February 6, 2011, by Michael Dover of Ellerslie, Georgia. This page has been viewed 1,298 times since then and 54 times this year. Last updated on June 23, 2019, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. Photos: 1. submitted on February 6, 2011, by Michael Dover of Ellerslie, Georgia. 2. submitted on June 17, 2019, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 3. submitted on July 9, 2019, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 4. submitted on April 27, 2026, by Mike McKeown of Baltimore, Maryland. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.