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

Brown's Attack

Photographed by Mike McKeown, May 22, 2026

1. Brown's Attack Marker

Inscription. Directly In front of you, leas than 300 feet to the north. was a portion of the main Federal line and the Carter home. The earthworks present during the Battle of Franklin, occupied by Col. Silas A. Strickland's Brigade. Brig. Gen. Thomas Ruger's Division, XXIII Corps, were built and strengthened early-on November 30, 1864. Strickland commanded a small brigade, set up in two lines of defense, composed of veterans and' recruits. Altogether it was no more than 1,900 men. The 50th Ohio Infantry-was dug in directly north of here along the main line. Its left flank was anchored on Columbia Pike. Col. Orlando Moore commanded a brigade to Strickland's right.

Strickland's front lir4a was almost completely obliterated by Gen. Brown's attacking Confederate troops. Brig. Gen. George W. Gordon commanded the front right brigade of Brown's Division and Brig. Gen. Otho F. Strahl's Brigade supported Gordon. Both commanded exclusively Tennessee troops. Gordon's men smashed into the 50th Ohio, which lost half of its effective force, and forced its retreat. The 72nd Illinois Infantry, to the right of the 50th Ohio, fared little better

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and began to fall back by company. It was a complete rout, and the main Federal line was shattered. However, Gordon was soon captured east of the pike, and Strahl hit the outside of the works with some of his men and began to load rifles. Confederate losses continued to mount.

(captions)
Brig. Gen. George W. Gordon Courtesy Tennessee State Library & Archives

Maj. Gen. John C. Brown Courtesy Battle of Franklin Trust

Erected 2026 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° 54.949′ N, 86° 52.461′ W. Marker is in Franklin, Tennessee, in Williamson County. It is on Columbia Avenue north of Cleburne Street, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1214 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,

Photographed by Mike McKeown, May 22, 2026

2. Brown's Attack Marker

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. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A different marker also named Brown's Attack (here, next to this marker); Wagner's Advanced Line (within shouting distance of this marker); Stewart's Corps on the Eastern Flank (within shouting distance of this marker); A Lost Battlefield is Reclaimed (within shouting distance of this marker); The Carter Farm (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named The Carter Farm (about 300 feet away); Epic Struggle in the Carter Garden (about 300 feet away); a different marker also named The Carter Farm (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Franklin.

Also see . . . Battle of Franklin (American Battlefield Trust). (Submitted on May 22, 2026, by Mike McKeown of Baltimore, Maryland.)

Credits. This page was last revised on May 28, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 22, 2026, by Mike McKeown of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 9 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 22, 2026, by Mike McKeown of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.