Franklin in Williamson County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
Unknown Civil War Soldier
In 2009, a construction project along Columbia Pike 2.5 miles south of here unearthed human bone fragments, in an area that was part of the Franklin battlefield. Forensic anthropologists determined that these were the remains of a Civil War soldier. Also found among the remains were six Union tunic buttons and a Minie ball, although it was impossible to verify conclusively if the soldier was Union or Confederate. Accordingly, he was designated an Unknown Civil War Soldier, an American who had died for his country. He is buried here at the center of Rest Haven Cemetery.
On Oct. 10, 2009, the community of Franklin honored this Unknown Civil War Soldier with a period military funeral at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church. After the service, a horse-drawn caisson and honor guard carried the coffin here. Several thousand spectators and national media were in attendance, as scores of reenactors conduced a burial, and upon the grave they poured soil from the 18 states represented at the Battle of Franklin. Also present were two actual sons and daughters of Civil War veterans.
Marking the grave are original column sections from the Tennessee State Capitol (1856), which now stand in remembrance of all unknown soldiers of the American Civil War. May these fallen soldiers rest in peace.
Erected 2010 by Franklin Battlefield Commission.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is October 9, 2009.
Location. 35° 55.681′ N, 86° 52.415′ W. Marker is in Franklin, Tennessee, in Williamson County. Marker is on 4th Avenue North north of North Margin Street, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Rest Haven Cemetery, Franklin TN 37064, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Rest Haven Cemetery (within shouting distance of this marker); City Cemetery (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); First Burying Ground in Franklin (about 300 feet away); Perkins-Howarth House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Fourth Avenue Church of Christ (approx. ¼ mile away); Harris-McEwan House (approx. ¼ mile away); a different marker also named Harris-McEwan House (approx. ¼ mile away); Maury-Darby Building (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Franklin.
Also see . . . Unknown Soldier procession. (Submitted on October 23, 2019, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Credits. This page was last revised on May 10, 2020. It was originally submitted on October 23, 2019, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 327 times since then and 46 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on October 23, 2019, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 6. submitted on May 9, 2020. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.