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. To the west of here the rest of Gen. Brown's Division pressed Confederate division on the field and numbered over 3,500 men. As Gordon and Strahl pierced the center, the brigade led by Brig. Gen. States Rights Gist, on Gordon's left, smashed into Strickland and Moore simultaneously. His South Carolina and Georgia troops swept through a locust thicket and up the slope, and while they created more problems for the Federal Harrison House, circa 1870 Courtly Wilson County Arch Army, they did not have the success that Gordon did. They shattered the 72nd Illinois, but the 111th Ohio Infantry, the next regiment in line, would not budge and refused its battered left flank on the 44th Missouri Infantry, which formed part of the secondary, or reserve, line. This helped to seal off and contain the Confederate breakthrough. Gist was shot down and mortally wounded as his men charged forward. He was hauled to the rear and taken, most likely, to the Harrison House, where he died that night.

Meanwhile, Brig. Gen. John Carter's Brigade wildly charged forward as Gist's support. Carter also commanded exclusively Tennessee troops and was

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also struck by enemy fire. He was carried to the Harrison House where he lingered for ten days. Carter died on December 10, 1864, and is buried today at Rose Hill Cemetery in Columbia, about 25 miles south of here.

(captions)
Brig. Gen. States Rights Gist Courtesy Bottle of Franklin Trust

Harrison House Circa 1870s Courtesy Williamson County Archives

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° 52.46′ W. Marker is in Franklin, Tennessee, in Williamson County. It is on Columbia Avenue (Business U.S. 31) 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,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds

Photographed by Mike McKeown, May 22, 2026

2. Brown's Attack Marker

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 12 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.