Franklin in Williamson County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
U.S. Model 1841 6-Pounder Field Guns/Franklin Public Square During The Battle
Photographed By Larry Gertner, June 20, 2019
1. U.S. Model 1841 6-Pounder Field Guns Marker
Inscription.
U.S. Model 1841 6-Pounder Field Guns/Franklin Public Square During The Battle. .
U.S. Model 1841 6-Pounder Field Guns. In 1908, the U.S. War Dept. loaned the four bronze gun tubes on the Square to Franklin. The N.P. Ames Co. and Cyrus Alger and Co. in Mass. cast the guns between 1847 and 1861. These guns were among the last to display the decorative features found on early artillery pieces. Widely used during the Mexican War, they were considered obsolete by the onset of the Civil War. Effective range was 1,500 yards. Usually smoothbore, these four guns were rifled at some point during their service. Each gun tube, weighing 884 lbs., was mounted on a No. 1 Field Carriage that requires a six-horse team. In 2014, the cannons were transferred from concrete stands to replica gun carriages using grants from the Tennessee Historical Commission, Tennessee Wars Commission, the City of Franklin and donations from civic organizations, local businesses and citizens.
Franklin Public Square During The Battle. At dawn on November 30, 1864, the Federal army under Maj Gen John M Schofield began streaming into Franklin after marching from Spring Hill in pitch darkness. The wagon bridges over the Harpeth River were out. Schofield ordered the intact railroad bridge planked over and temporary bridges built. All morning long, the Federal train of an estimated 800 wagons and 3,500 draft animals were coming into Franklin and jamming this Square, every side street, alley and woodlot. By noon, just as the last Federal wagon came past the Carter House, the bridges were ready and the wagon train began untangling itself. As the Confederate Army, commanded by Lt Gen John B Hood, began their assault at 4:00 PM, the entire Federal wagon train was safely across the river and the Federal army was waiting for darkness to conceal their planned retreat to Nashville.
U.S. Model 1841 6-Pounder Field Guns
In 1908, the U.S. War Dept. loaned the four bronze gun tubes on the Square to Franklin. The N.P. Ames Co. and Cyrus Alger & Co. in Mass. cast the guns between 1847 and 1861. These guns were among the last to display the decorative features found on early artillery pieces. Widely used during the Mexican War, they were considered obsolete by the onset of the Civil War. Effective range was 1,500 yards. Usually smoothbore, these four guns were rifled at some point during their service. Each gun tube, weighing 884 lbs., was mounted on a No. 1 Field Carriage that requires a six-horse team. In 2014, the cannons were transferred from concrete stands to replica gun carriages using grants from the Tennessee Historical Commission, Tennessee Wars Commission, the City of Franklin and donations from civic organizations, local businesses and citizens.
Franklin Public Square During The Battle
At dawn on November 30, 1864, the Federal army under Maj Gen John M Schofield began streaming into Franklin after marching from Spring Hill in pitch darkness. The wagon bridges over the Harpeth River were out. Schofield ordered the intact railroad bridge planked over and temporary bridges built. All morning long, the Federal train of an estimated 800 wagons and 3,500
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draft animals were coming into Franklin and jamming this Square, every side street, alley and woodlot. By noon, just as the last Federal wagon came past the Carter House, the bridges were ready and the wagon train began untangling itself. As the Confederate Army, commanded by Lt Gen John B Hood, began their assault at 4:00 PM, the entire Federal wagon train was safely across the river and the Federal army was waiting for darkness to conceal their planned retreat to Nashville.
Erected 2017 by Franklin Battlefield Preservation Committee.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is November 30, 1864.
Location. 35° 55.531′ N, 86° 52.128′ W. Marker is in Franklin, Tennessee, in Williamson County. Marker is on East Main Street (Business U.S. 31) near 3rd Avenue North, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 236 Public Sq, Franklin TN 37064, United States of America. Touch for directions.
3. U.S. Model 1841 6-Pounder Field Guns/Franklin Public Square During The Battle marker site
NW quadrant of Public Square.
May 10, 2020
4. Marker in foreground, righthand side.
Photographed By Larry Gertner, June 20, 2019
5. U.S. Model 1841 6-Pounder Field Gun
Photographed By Larry Gertner, June 20, 2019
6. U.S. Model 1841 6-Pounder Field Gun
Photographed By Larry Gertner, June 20, 2019
7. U.S. Model 1841 6-Pounder Field Gun
Photographed By Larry Gertner, 2007
8. U.S. Model 1841 6-Pounder Field Gun
A cannon mounted on the previous concrete base, 2007.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 9, 2022. It was originally submitted on October 29, 2019, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 543 times since then and 59 times this year. Last updated on March 7, 2022, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on October 29, 2019, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 4. submitted on May 10, 2020. 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on October 29, 2019, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.
