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

The Carter Farm

The Bloody Field of Franklin

— Tennessee Civil War National Heritage Area —

The Carter Farm Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, July 26, 2022

1. The Carter Farm Marker

Inscription. For several hours on November 30, 1864, this area was the scene of some of the bloodiest close-quarters combat of the Civil War. Federal Gen. Thomas Ruger’s Division and Confederate Gen. John Brown's Division battled each other with unbridled violence long into the twilight and darkness of that evening. Those who survived the combat often tried and failed to adequately describe what had happened. For a few moments it seemed as if Brown’s troops might be able to drive Ruger’s men from their position. But almost as quickly, the Confederate advantage vanished through a series of fast-paced and interconnected events. First, some of the Federal troops from the advanced and main lines who had been driven back began to rally in this general area along the secondary, or reserve, line. Next, the 44th Missouri Infantry courageously held its position, becoming an anchor that held the Confederate breakthrough in check. Then, after a few furious moments, at least four regiments from Col. Emerson Opdycke’s Brigade rushed into the breach from behind you and helped stabilize the line closer to Columbia Pike All three actions

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

doomed Brown’s battered division. Col. Ellison Capers, 24th South Carolina Infantry, Brown’s Division, wrote afterward, “Torn and exhausted, deprived of every general officer and nearly every field officer, the division had only strength enough to hold its position.” The man toll in this area was very heavy. River suffered about 700 casualties and Brown’s Division tallied almost 1,200 killed, wounded, and missing.

Erected by Historic Franklin Parks.

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° 55.015′ N, 86° 52.422′ W. Marker is in Franklin, Tennessee, in Williamson County. It can be reached from Columbia Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1140 Columbia Ave, 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

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, July 26, 2022

2. The Carter Farm Marker

in what was once the territory of the Mississippian 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: Cleburne’s Division (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named The Carter Farm (within shouting distance of this marker); The Carter House (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Carter House (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named The Carter Farm (within shouting distance of this marker); Brown's Division (within shouting distance of this marker); 44th Missouri Infantry (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named 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).

Credits. This page was last revised on July 27, 2022. It was originally submitted on July 26, 2022, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. This page has been viewed 294 times since then and 47 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 26, 2022, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.