THE BATTLE OF FRANKLIN The Battle of Franklin is best understood in the context of the events that led to it. After the fall of Atlanta to U.S. forces under Maj. Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman in September 1864, Confederate Gen. John Bell Hood made the decision to target and attack the Federal supply lines between Atlanta and Chattanooga. Initially he was pursued by U.S. forces under the command of Sherman. When Hood moved his forces to northern Alabama, Sherman pivoted and began his “March to the Sea” through Georgia, from Atlanta to Savannah. The remainder of the U.S. forces in the region under B.G. George H. Thomas were scattered. Given the remaining U.S. troops’ disarray, Hood planned to strike while he had the advantage by moving north into Tennessee. However, he was delayed by weather and the late arrival of additional troops under Maj. Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest. Confederate forces began to move north in Tennessee on November 21, 1864. In response, U.S. troops under Maj. Gen. John Schofield moved north from Pulaski. By November 27, both forces had reached the vicinity of Columbia. The following day Hood sent his cavalry ahead, an anticipatory move as part of a larger plan to cut off the U.S. forces’ path of retreat. On November 29, Hood moved the rest of his forces north to block the path to Nashville. U.S. B.G. George Wagner positioned his troops at Spring Hill to protect Columbia Pike. The Confederate forces made camp east of the road. While they were bedded down for the night within sight of the road, U.S. forces continued north along Columbia Pike under the cover of darkness. Confederate spies climbed onto the roof of the threestory Masonic Hall to observe troop movements at Fort Granger. As the U.S. forces arrived at Franklin on the morning 1864 Atlanta falls to the U.S. forces under Maj. Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman in September 1864. Maj. Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman (Source: Battle of Franklin Trust) Confederate Gen. John Bell Hood (Source: Texas State Historical Association) Columbia, TN (Source: Duck River Agency) On November 30, U.S. and Confederate forces clashed. In the aftermath of the fighting, dozens of Franklin buildings became makeshift hospitals. Over 10,000 soldiers lost their lives. Battle of Franklin By November 27, both the United States troops and Confederate troops reached the vicinity of Columbia, Tennessee. 46 FRANKLIN, TN | PRESERVATION PLAN
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