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

The Carter Farm

Ruger’s Division

— 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. Federal Gen. Thomas H. Ruger’s Division began to arrive here about 6.30 a.m. on November 30, 1864. The men were given a short rest, "a few winks of sleep, and their morning coffee.” Ruger, who had fought at places like Antietam and Gettysburg in 1862 and 1863, soon set his men to constructing breast works that wrapped around Carter Hill and angled toward the northwest. The 50th Ohio Infantry and and 72nd Illinois Infantry regiments-approximately 600 men—held this section of the main line. The 44th Missouri Infantry—about 650 strong—was placed in a reserve position about 200 feet to the north and northwest. The 183rd Ohio Infantry took a reserve position to the right of the 44th Missouri. Other units, which included men from Illinois, Michigan, and Indiana, extended the main line to Carters Creek Pike, In this sector, the 20th Ohio Light Artillery and Bridges’ Illinois Light Artillery supported Ruger’s Division. Ziegler’s Pennsylvania Battery was posted behind the far right of Ruger’s line. Altogether about 5,000 troops were under Ruger’s command.

During the morning hours Ruger's men cut down small locust trees

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and a row of fruit trees to create a "fair abatis" and "slight obstruction” in front of the works. They also grabbed whatever they could from the Carter farm, including fence rails and outbuilding timbers, to add to the earthworks, By 2 p.m. the Federal fortifications were mostly completed. In 2010 and 2017, archaeological digs determined the exact location of this portion of Ruger's defensive line.

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° 54.982′ N, 86° 52.424′ W. Marker is in Franklin, Tennessee, in Williamson County. It is on Columbia Avenue, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1164 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

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, July 26, 2022

2. The Carter Farm Marker

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. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A different marker also named The Carter Farm (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named The Carter Farm (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named The Carter Farm (within shouting distance of this marker); A Lost Battlefield is Reclaimed (within shouting distance of this marker); Main Entrenchment Federal Battle Line (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named The Carter Farm (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named The Carter Farm (within shouting distance of this marker); Epic Struggle in the Carter Garden (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Franklin.

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 340 times since then and 59 times this year. Last updated on July 27, 2022, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 26, 2022, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.