Vol. 42, No. 3 Battlefield Of Franklin Land Preserv By Gregory L. Wade FRANKLIN, Tenn. — What is considered the bloodiest acreage in the Nov. 30, 1864, Battle of Frankli is now being reclaimed as part of th evolving Carter Hill Battlefield Par Local preservation leaders recently
from owners Reid and Brenda Lovell after a months-long process of coordinating various funding sources for the critical 1.6 acres t adjoin the Carter House, a major battle landmark. Details were recently provided at a press conference led by Franklin’s Charge board member Julian Bibb, who praised the “remarkable transition” of the Franklin battlefield. Franklin’s Charge is a coalition of civic and preservation groups who joined together more than ten years ago to purchase local battleground. Over 150 years ago the Army of Tennessee stepped off in a series of charges to be virtually destroyed by Federals under John Schofield in hopes of taking Franklin and later Nashville. At that time, most of the terrain was open farmland on the outskirts of what was once a small Middle Tennessee farming community. Over time development covered much of the battlefield with houses, light i dustry, and small businesses. All that remained of the critical area where the Confederates temporarily broke the Federal line was the small farmhouse and a few acres known as the Carter House farm. The 1.6 acres purchased, which adjoin the southern boundary of the Carter House property, is comprised of two lots. Today, they are occupie
Franklin Charge leader Julian Bibb s closing.
Purchase that were turned over to the City of Franklin Parks Department by Franklin’s Charge and the Battle of Franklin’s Trust (BOFT), managers of the Carter House the nearby Carnton Plantation. The structures will removed in coming months, possibly relocated for other use. The purchase is only the latest s in a long and arduous effort to rebuild the Franklin battlefield. “It had to be a miracle,” quipped Civil War Trust (CWT) President James Lighthizer, referring to the most recent acquisition. Local resident Michael Grainger, long time Trust board member and former chairman, said, “Local leadership has been incredible and will continue to be a partner [with the CWT].” In 2005, after years of frustrati attempting to preserve Franklin battleground, local preservationists de cided it would have to be done the hard way, by buying properties, often with buildings on them. The largest parcel of land was originally a local golf course slate to be sold to a developer to build houses on what was the right flank of the Confederate attack north toward the Federal lines just south of the town. It was then that Franklin’s Charg came into existence. Funds have
chase from private donors, the CWT, the City of Franklin and others. Tha 110-acre segment, now fully interpreted and known as the Eastern Flank Battlefield, is what got the preservation ball rolling in Frankli Since that time nine other parcel in proximity to the Carter House have been purchased and have been, or will be, turned over to the Frank
at the Lovell purchase (Gregory L. Wade photos
lin Parks Department, according to Bibb. But it was the land just south o Carter House, long considered the most bloodied ground in Franklin, and some say in America, that was the most coveted. BOFT Chief Executive Officer Eric Jacobson noted, “to not have this ground reclaimed and preserved would be like having Omaha Beach cut out of Normandy.” The most recent acquisition evolved when Franklin’s Charge and the BOFT began discussions with the Lovells, who have a strong sense of the history of the land, having gro up in Franklin. “I was born and raised in Franklin on ground many believe should have been a national park,” said Re Lovell. He recalled when visitors came to town and had to envision what happened, not walk on ground where it transpired. “My great-grandfather, who fough here, and my parents would be proud of what we are doing here today,” h said at the press conference. The Franklin Board of Mayor and Aldermen voted unanimously in February to fund part of the remaining debt on the Lovell property purchase. The previously
paid by the city on a non-interest basis over seven years. These funds will cover the balan now bridged by a local bank and wil
be derived from the city’s hotel-mo tel tax. Local banker Chuck Isaacs was instrumental in working out the loans. All the city funds are allot
by his employer, First Farmers and Merchants Bank.
nding and the most cording to Bibb. “With help from c vil War Trust and PP, we got it done her funding came f rs including local ard member Grainge en involved with o eservation efforts
rvation gro ears advoca battlegroun ng of offic been with