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Peggy and I attend Gettysburg Battlefield rvation Association’s 46th l Civil War Show the last nd of June. Thank you to one who came by and visitat our table. We always ap-
isiting with our advertisers ceive their input. While in sburg, we visited the battleand stayed at the Farnsworth Inn Bed & Breakfast.
Vol. 42, No. 3 Battlefield Of Franklin Land Prese By GreGory L. Wade
FRANKLIN, Tenn. — What is considered the bloodiest acreage i the Nov. 30, 1864, Battle of Frank
is now being reclaimed as part of evolving Carter Hill Battlefield P Local preservation leaders recentl
from owners Reid and Brenda Lovell after a months-long process of coordinating various funding
sources for the critical 1.6 acres adjoin the Carter House, a major battle landmark. Details were recently provided
a press conference led by Franklin Charge board member Julian Bibb, who praised the “remarkable transition” of the Franklin battlefiel Franklin’s Charge is a coalition o civic and preservation groups who joined together more than ten year ago to purchase local battleground Over 150 years ago the Army of Tennessee stepped off in a series of charges to be virtually destroy by Federals under John Schofield i hopes of taking Franklin and later
Nashville. At that time, most of the terra 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 dustry, and small businesses. All that remained of the critic
area where the Confederates temporarily broke the Federal line wa the small farmhouse and a few acre known as the Carter House farm. The 1.6 acres purchased, which adjoin the southern boundary of th Carter House property, is comprise of two lots. Today, they are occup
of Franklin Parks Department by Franklin’s Charge and the Battle o Franklin’s Trust (BOFT), managers
of the Carter House the nearby Car ton Plantation. The structures wil removed in coming months, possibly relocated for other use. The purchase is only the latest in a long and arduous effort to re build the Franklin battlefield.
“It had to be a miracle,” quipp Civil War Trust (CWT) President James Lighthizer, referring to the most recent acquisition. Local res
ident Michael Grainger, long time Trust board member and former chairman, said, “Local leadership has been incredible and will conti ue to be a partner [with the CWT]. In 2005, after years of frustra attempting to preserve Franklin ba tleground, local preservationists cided it would have to be done the hard way, by buying properties, of ten with buildings on them. The largest parcel of land was originally a local golf course sla
to be sold to a developer to build houses on what was the right flank of the Confederate attack north to ward the Federal lines just south
the town. It was then that Franklin’s Cha came into existence. Funds have
the City of Franklin and others. T 110-acre segment, now fully interpreted and known as the Eastern Flank Battlefield, is what got the preservation ball rolling in Frank Since that time nine other parc in proximity to the Carter House have been purchased and have been, or will be, turned over to the Fra
at the Lovell purchase regory L. Wade photos)
lin Parks Department, according t Bibb. But it was the land just south
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 preserv would be like having Omaha Beach cut out of Normandy.”
The most recent acquisition evolved when Franklin’s Charge an the BOFT began discussions with t Lovells, who have a strong sense the history of the land, having g up in Franklin.
“I was born and raised in Fran lin on ground many believe should have been a national park,” said
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 fou here, and my parents would be pro of what we are doing here today,” said at the press conference.
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-interes basis over seven years. These funds will cover the bal
be derived from the city’s hoteltel tax. Local banker Chuck Isaac was instrumental in working out t loans. All the city funds are all
by his employer, First Farmers an Merchants Bank.
There, we received exc vice, whether we were dining Sweeneys Tavern, being treat ed to a delicious compliment freshly cooked breakfast eac morning, or enjoying a snack beverage in the Beer Garden. must see is the wall of bird near the coy pond. It is mes izing. And don’t miss a chan visit Camp Tiger next to the parking lot for an opportuni to go back in time and envis what it would have been like camp with Civil War soldiers We wish to extend a specia “Thank you” to Jean and Lori
Schultz for taking the time share a meal with us and for exceptional hospitality.
Due to our deadline for th issue, the September issue w
Committee’s 156th reenactmen of the Battle of Gettysburg.
Nobody even comes close to b Civil War tent with as much
reinforcing the stress areas Our extra heavy duty reinfor one of the added features th Panther tentage the best you
160 pages of the best selection of historical reenactment items from Medieval era to Civil War era. Includes over 60 pages on our famous
