The Battle of Franklin: When the Devil Had Full Possession of the Earth

by James R. Knight

In late November 1864, the last Southern army east of the Mississippi that was still free to maneuver started out from northern Alabama on the Confederacy's last offensive. John Bell Hood and his Army of Tennessee had dreams of capturing Nashville and marching on to the Ohio River, but a small Union force under Hood's old West Point roommate stood between him and the state capital. In a desperate attempt to smash John Schofield's line at Franklin, Hood threw most of his men against the Union works, centered on the house of a family named Carter, and lost 30 percent of his attacking force in one afternoon, crippling his army and setting it up for a knockout blow at Nashville two weeks later. With firsthand accounts, letters and diary entries from the Carter House Archives, local historian James R. Knight paints a vivid picture of this gruesome conflict.

Genres: History, Civil War, Nonfiction, Civil War Western Theater, American Civil War

160 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2009

Reviews

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, this is an interesting account of a horrific battle. The human cost of war is unfathomable, and at the Battle of Franklin that cost was egregiously high. Mr. Knight at times comes across as sympathetic toward the Rebel army, but overall the account is balanced and generally presents fact without commentary. In studying the Civil War one is often struck by how differently things could have turned out if generals had made slightly different decisions, and this continues to hold true in the events leading up to and including the Battle of Franklin. Any student of the Civil War would find this account informative. I appreciate that Mr. Knight acknowledges other sources that he relied upon.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good overview of this important history in Franklin.

I was inspired to read more about this event after visiting Carnton Plantation and taking the tour of theMcGavock House turned into a hospital the day of the battle.

This book and Eyewitnesses of the Battle of Franklin were recommended when I asked our tour guide which volumes she liked.

[Robert Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best book I have every read about the Battle in Franklin. I live in Franklin and it really was interesting the different points of interest. I have read a lot of books on the Civil War and it is one of the best!

[Sleepy Boy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book that caused me to fall in love with the ACW as a subject. The first hand accounts are so visceral I was literally moved to tears.

[Don Kean · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book that details graphically yet very concisely what without question was the bloodiest and most intense battle in the annals of American Military history. A must read for anyone who wishes to understand the depth of carnage, desperation, and dedication of the soldiers who fought for both sides in The American Civil War. The book is complete with eyewitness accounts from the historical record of combatants, commanders, and citizens who lived in Franklin at the time. All I can say, is they emerged from hiding at the battles merciful five hour end to find a scene that makes the Walking Dead look like a pin prick.
The author compares the casualty losses statistically in the books final chapter. Just a few are listed here as food for thought: The Confederate army alone incurred six Generals killed and another seven wounded. 55 Regimental commanders were killed or wounded. More men were killed or wounded in the five hour battle of Franklin than in THE ENTIRE war of 1812 or the 20 month long Mexican American War. On D-Day there were roughly 4 times the number men engaged than their were Confederate forces at Franklin. Yet, the casualty numbers were strikingly similar. Statistically speaking your chances of survival were 3 times greater on a landing craft at Omaha Beach than they were at The Battle of Franklin Tennessee. And finally, there were close to 10000 casualties total at Franklin in just five hours, or roughly 2000 per hour, (over 30 per minute), or roughly one every two seconds.
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS READ. If you are ever in Nashville and have a day, make the short trip to Franklin and tour The Carter House, The Lotz House, and Carnton Plantation. I did so last month and am still in a state of amazement at what took place their.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short and focused book that my aunt picked up at the Battle of Franklin memorial by the Carter House and I read in an evening. Definitely a gripping account of the drama of pointless slaughter that both sides had come to by that point. The author makes the thought-provoking comment in a couple of places that the ragged, shoeless Confederates were about the most fearsome warriors on the planet at that point, and I can't argue with that. As I am most of the way through an epic-length audiobook of Plutarch's Lives at this point, with his obvious fascination and respect for the Spartans, I can't help spinning my own alternate history tale where the Confederacy manages to survive and sends mercenaries around the globe to fight in order to make ends meet.

It's a focused and intense read... until you get to the odd and kind of pointless appendices, including the long list of commanders and units. There was a longer book at the gift shop that the staff member called "the mamma jamma" that I was somewhat tempted to pick up, but I can't really invest the time in an in-depth read of a random Civil War campaign.

[Paul Lunger · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the Civil War was winding down, the fighting in Middle Tennessee was growing more and more intense as the fight to eventually reach Nashville continued. Along the way, in November 1864 comes one of the nastier fights in the Battle of Franklin. With "The Battle of Franklin: When the Devil Had Full Possession of the Earth", James R Knight tells the tale of this battle with the set up as well as consequences of it. Each step of the way we the reader are drawn into this battle as we feel the emotions of not only the soldiers but the citizens of Franklin as well. Knight also mentions a weird quirk with one of the participants in the battle as well which adds to the unique story of this important battlefield on the road to the end of the war.

[Clifford · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book offers a detailed description of the Battle of Franklin, which took place on November 30, 1864, between the Federal army commanded by General Schofield and the Confederate army commanded by General Hood. The book describes the movements in the weeks before the battle and how those led to a battle at a location that neither side wanted. I have a particular interest in this battle because my great-grandfather fought in it for the Union. He and his regiment were right in the middle of the Union line where the worst fighting took place. The reader gets a sense of the intensity of the fighting, the courage of the soldiers, and especially the tragedy to soldiers and civilians.

[Carl Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very clear, concise history of the costly Battle of Franklin. The author begins with John Bell Hood's movements after Sherman takes Atlanta, tracing the lead-up to the savage fighting in Franklin, and full accounting of the leadership failures that could have seriously hampered the Union forces had they been trapped in Spring Hill. The effects of the personalities of Hood and Union commander John Schofield (Hood's roommate at West Point!) are ably explored. The rendition of the battle itself--and the vainglorious assaults ordered by Hood--is well presented. A good short look at the last gasp of the Army of Tennessee.

[Colleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

On a recent visit to Carnton House (We took the extended tour!), this book was recommended for further reading. Much of the Battle occurred at the Carter house, and we did not visit there, but clearly we will have to return. This was a gruesome battle for both sides, and the book documents this well.

[Monica · Rating 5 out of 5]

We actually met the author and he signed our book as we were at the Franklin Foundation's Carter House. This is a great book for anyone interested in the Civil War and especially in the later part of it.

[Fred Wilhoft · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderfully written account of an important battle. The author makes you feel as if you experience the battle, all the while remaining factually accurate. A marvelous book for those interested in the Civil War. Highly recommended.

[Paul Womack · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good but basic introduction.

[Donna]

Good concise description of the Battle of Franklin.

[scott d. smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent perspective of one of the most bloody battles in American history. Fast paced and yet deep enough to feel.

[Wayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great concise narrative of the bloodiest short battle of the Civil War.

[Steven Rowley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent overview of the most intense battle of the American Civil War. Great follow-up to my recent first visit to this TN battlefield. If the Civil War interests you, this is a must read.

[Frances · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thankfully our host in Nashville suggested a trip to Franklin. I enjoy historical lessons and am always amazed to find preserved buildings and historical sites that are so culturally valuable. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and inspired me to want to read more. Later in a shop in town, I got this book and found out that Jim, the guide, wrote it! I appreciate the angle and learning more about the confederate army, especially the connections so many of the officers had from their education at military school. The story flows and the author at one point states that he knows it can be tedious to read statistics, but the right amount are there to drive home just how awful this battle really was. One fault is that I did want just a bit more of a resolution. Thankfully there is an epilogue to satisfy wanting to linger more in the admittedly fascinating tale of war.

[Patricia Kitto · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good and concise history of the Battle of Franklin that is a good prep for a visit to the battlefield (and probably even a better follow up to learn more about the battle after a visit!). I gave it 3 stars because I had a hard time following which general was which and what troops were moving where. I would imagine that had more to do with the complexity of the subject than with the way the book was written!

[Darren · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's mind boggling to picture battles and thousands of soldiers fighting and dying right where we live. The author does a good job of outlining of the battle and giving a thumbnail of all the players. It makes my drive home much more interesting as I try to picture the battle. I'd recommend this book as required ready for anyone living between Franklin and Columbia.

[Joshua Booher · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book helped me understand the personalities at the battle more. It also helped me understand the implications of this battle as the Civil War was winding down. A very good short easy read.

[Claudia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good detailed account of this Civil War battle.

[Robert Glustrom · Rating 3 out of 5]

Everything you could want to know about the amazing battle of Franklin, Tenn.