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During the five hours of fighting, the Carter Family took refuge in their basement.  23 men, women and children (many under the age of 12) were safely protected while the horrible cries of war rang out above them.  The head of the family, Fountain Branch Carter, a 67-year old widower, had seen 3 of his sons fight for the Confederacy.  One son, Theodrick (Tod), was serving as an aid for General T.B. Smith on the battlefield and saw his home for the first time in 3 years.  Crying out, “Follow me boys, I’m almost home,” Captain Tod Carter was mortally wounded and died 2 days later at the Carter House.

Enlisted on 4/24/1861 as a Private.

On 4/24/1861 he mustered into “A” Co. PA 11th Infantry

He was Mustered Out on 7/31/1861 at Harrisburg, PA

The 11th PA was a three month unit involved with defense of Washington in the first days of the war. DETACHED companies, formed of men hastily summoned from farm and workshop, rendezvoused at Camp Curtin, and were organized into the Eleventh regiment, April 26th, 1861.

On the 26th of July, the following order was received:

HEADQUARTERS, DEPARTMENT OF PENNSYLVANIA, Harper’s Ferry, Va.,
July 24, 1861. (Special order No. 127.) 1. The Eleventh regiment Pennsylvania volunteers, Colonel Jarrett come mending, will, to-day, take rail transportation from this place to Baltimore, enroute for Harrisburg, where they will be mustered out of service.

It gives the Commanding General great satisfaction to say, that the conduct of the regiment has merited his highest approbation. It had the fortune to be in the advance at the affair at Hoke’s Run, (Falling Waters,) where the steadiness and gallantry of both officers and men, came under his personal observation. They have well merited his thanks.

By order of Major General Patterson. F. J. PORTER, Assistant Adjutant General. On the 19th of July, prior to the muster out of the regiment, the necessary measures were taken, with the approval of the Commander of the Department, to have it re-mustered for three years, service, and on the 25th, it was, by an order of the Secretary of War, accepted. It was permitted, by a general order of the Governor of Pennsylvania, to retain its original number. Hence, the Eleventh became the first regiment for three years, service.

Source: The Union Army, vol. 1

Residence Kossuth IA; 18 years old.

Enlisted on 7/29/1863 as a Private.

On 9/2/1863 he mustered into “D” Co. IA 8th Cavalry

He was Mustered Out on 8/13/1865 at Macon, GA

Other Information: born in Iowa

Information about the 8th Iowa Cavalry

Organized: Davenport, IA on 9/30/63
Mustered Out: 8/13/65

Officers Killed or Mortally Wounded: 3
Officers Died of Disease, Accidents, etc.: 2
Enlisted Men Killed or Mortally Wounded: 37
Enlisted Men Died of Disease, Accidents, etc.: 116
(Source: Fox, Regimental Losses)

William Christy, born in Ohio, was a Capt. in Co, D, 8th Iowa Cavalry.

Residence Osceola IA; 22 years old.

Enlisted on 6/25/1863 as a Sergt Major.

On 9/30/1863 he mustered into Field & Staff IA 8th Cavalry.

He was Mustered Out on 8/13/1865 at Macon, GA

He was listed as:
* POW 7/30/1864 Lovejoy Station, GA
* Wounded 7/30/1864 Lovejoy Station, GA
* Paroled 12/15/1864 Annapolis, MD (Estimated day)

Promotions:
* 2nd Lieut 7/15/1864 (As of Co. D)
* 1st Lieut 1/29/1865
* Capt 6/24/1865

Intra Regimental Company Transfers:
* 7/15/1864 from Field & Staff to company D

Other Information: born in Ohio

Sources used by Historical Data Systems, Inc.:

- Roster & Record of Iowa Soldiers in the War of Rebellion
(c) Historical Data Systems, Inc. @ www.civilwardata.com

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John H. Walkinshaw, from Macon, GA

Residence Linton IA; 19 years old.

Enlisted on 7/29/1863 as a Private.

On 9/2/1863 he mustered into “D” Co. IA 8th Cavalry

He was Mustered Out on 8/13/1865 at Macon, GA

Other Information: born in Ohio

Sources used by Historical Data Systems, Inc.:

- Roster & Record of Iowa Soldiers in the War of Rebellion
(c) Historical Data Systems, Inc. @ www.civilwardata.com

The Regimental History

Eighth Cavalry. Cols., Joseph B. Dorr, Horatio G. Barner; Lieut.-Col., Horatio G. Barner, Majs., J. J. Brown, James D. Thompson, A. J. Price, Richard Root, John H. Isett, E. Shurtz, J. W. Moore, John Dance, George W. Burns.

The 8th cavalry saw little of real war until the spring of 1864, when it started with Sherman in the celebrated campaign for Atlanta. The regiment had been organized late in the previous autumn at Davenport. It left Iowa in the middle of October and by the middle of November was stationed at Waverly and other points west of Nashville, Tenn., where it remained on guard and garrison duty all the winter, with little opportunity for showing the pluck of its soldiers and no chance at all for distinction.

May-day, 1864, brought on the new campaign, and the 8th IA was made a part of the 1st brigade of McCook’s division of cavalry. In all that arduous campaign the regiment was constantly at the front, and when the Confederates, after weeks of constant skirmishing and battles, at last fell back behind the Chattahoochee, the 8th Iowa cavalry was the first troop across the river after them. So the fighting and the skirmishing went on around Atlanta, and then came that luckless raid of Gen. McCook’s to the Macon railroad, in which the regiment was captured near Newnan, only a few escaping through the woods to tell how heroically the command had tried to save itself.

The late autumn found Col. Dorr exchanged, and with his regiment, again ready for battle against Gen. Hood, who was then invading Tennessee. It was engaged near Franklin, but quietly fell back with the main army to take an important part in the great battle and victory of Nashville. It participated in a charge on the first day of the battle and in the rapid pursuit of Hood, in which the whole Confederate army was nearly annihilated, the 8th cavalry did its full share of hard riding.

Late in March, 1865, the regiment was at Chickasaw, Ala., eager to join the other Iowa cavalry there in the grandest raid of the war — the march of Wilson to Selma, Columbus and Macon. On Aug. 13, the regiment was mustered out at Macon and started for Iowa, its honorable and patriotic career complete.Its losses were as follows: deaths from battle, 16; deaths from disease 168; wounded, 15; discharged, 64.

Source: The Union Army, vol. 4

To learn more about Iowa in the Civil War visit these sites:

“(Franklin) is the blackest page in the history of the War of the Lost Cause.  It was the bloodiest battle of modern times in any war.  It was the finishing stroke to the Independence of the Southern Confederacy.  I was there.  I saw it.”
–Sam Watkins, 1st Tennessee Infantry

Looking toward the north across the killing fields, south of the town of Franklin

The Battle of Franklin has been called “the bloodiest hours of the American Civil War.”

* 23rd Corps (Army of Ohio) commanded by Jacob Cox
* 4th Corps (Army of the Cumberland) commanded by David Stanley

The Federal Army had arrived in Franklin around 1:00 that morning. Major General John M. Schofield led the operation and woke up the Carter Family, commandeering their home as his headquarters. At that time, the Carter Farm consisted of 288 acres on the south edge of town bordering the Columbia Pike.

Their cotton gin was located 100 yards from the house where eventually the main line of Federal breastworks were constructed. The Federal line commander was Cox who supervised his army in a defensive position surrounding the southern edge of town. He used the existing breastworks built in 1863 and constructed others on the west side of Columbia Pike. About 60 feet from the Carter House, near their farm office and smokehouse, were the inner breastworks.

Three corps of infantry:

* S.D. Lee’s Corps (9,700) - Clayton, Stevenson, Johnson’s Divisions

* Frank Cheatham’s Corps (9,300) - Cleburne, Brown, Bate’s Divisions

General S. COOPER,
Adjutant and Inspector General, Richmond, Va.

GENERAL :

Forrest’s cavalry joined me on the 21st of November and the movement began, Major-General Cheatham’s corps taking the road toward Waynesborough, and the other two corps moving on roads somewhat parallel with this, but more to the eastward, with the cavalry under General Forrest in the advance and upon their right flank. The enemy’s forces at this time were concentrated at Pulaski, with some force also at Lawrenceburg. I hoped to be able to place the army between these forces of the enemy and Nashville; but he evacuated Pulaski upon the 23rd, hearing of our advance (our cavalry having furiously driven off their forces at Lawrenceburg), and moved rapidly by the turnpike and railroad to Columbia.

The want of a good map of the country, and the deep mud through which the army marched, prevented our overtaking the enemy before he reached Columbia, but on the evening of the 27th of November our army was placed in position in front of his works at that place. During the night, however, he evacuated the town, taking position on the opposite side of the river about a mile and a half from the town, which was considered quite strong in front.

Late in the evening of the 28th of November General Forrest, with most of his command, crossed Duck River a few miles above Columbia, and I followed early in the morning of the 29th with Stewart’s and Cheatham’s corps, and Johnson’s division, of Lee’s corps, leaving the other divisions of Lee’s corps in the enemy’s front at Columbia. The troops moved in light marching order, with only a battery to the corps, my object being to turn the enemy’s flank, by marching rapidly on roads parallel to the Columbia and Franklin pike, at or near Spring Hill, and to cut off that portion of the enemy at or near Columbia. When I had gotten well on his flank the enemy discovered my intention and began to retreat on the pike toward Spring Hill. The cavalry became engaged near that place about midday, but his trains were so strongly guarded that they were unable to break through them. About 4 p.m. our infantry forces, Major-General Cheatham in the advance, commenced to come in contact with the enemy about two miles from Spring Hill, through which place the Columbia and Franklin pike runs. The enemy was at this time moving rapidly along the pike, with some of his troops formed on the flank of his column to protect it. Major-General Cheatham was ordered to attack the enemy at once vigorously and get possession of this pike, and, although these orders were frequently and earnestly repeated, he made but a feeble and partial attack, failing to reach the point indicated. Had my instructions been carried out there is no doubt that we should have possessed ourselves of this road. Stewart’s corps and Johnson’s division were arriving upon the field to support the attack. Though the golden opportunity had passed with daylight, I did not at dark abandon the hope of dealing the enemy a heavy blow. Accordingly, Lieutenant-General Stewart was furnished a guide and ordered to move his corps beyond Cheatham’s and place it across the road beyond Spring Hill. Shortly after this General Cheatham came to my headquarters, and when I informed him of Stewart’s movement, he said that Stewart ought to form on his right. I asked if that would throw Stewart across the pike. He replied that it would, and a mile beyond. Accordingly, one of Cheatham’s staff officers was sent to show Stewart where his (Cheatham’s)right rested. In the dark and confusion he did not succeed in getting the position desired, but about 11 p.m. went into bivouac. About 12 p.m., ascertaining that the enemy was moving in great confusion, artillery, wagons, and troops intermixed, I sent instructions to General Cheatham to advance a heavy line of skirmishers against him and still further impede and confuse his march. This was not accomplished. The enemy continued to move along the road in hurry and confusion, within hearing nearly all the night. Thus was lost a great opportunity of striking the enemy for which we had labored so long–the greatest this campaign had offered, and one of the greatest during the war.

Lieutenant-General Lee, left in front of the enemy at Columbia, was instructed to press the enemy the moment he abandoned his position at that point. The enemy did not abandon his works at that place till dark, showing that his trains obstructed the road for fifteen miles during the day and a great part of the night.

At daylight we followed as fast as possible toward Franklin, Lieuten-ant-General Stewart in the advance, Major-General Cheatham following, and General Lee, with the trains, moving from Columbia on the same road. We pursued the enemy rapidly and compelled him to burn a number of his wagons. He made a feint as if to give battle on the hills about four miles south of Franklin, but as soon as our forces began to deploy for the attack and to flank him on his left he retired slowly to Franklin.

I learned from dispatches captured at Spring Hill, from Thomas to Schofield, that the latter was instructed to hold that place till the position at Franklin could be made secure, indicating the intention of Thomas to hold Franklin and his strong works at Murfreesborough. Thus I knew that it was all important to attack Schofield before he could make himself strong, and if he should escape at Franklin he would gain his works about Nashville. The nature of the position was such as to render it inexpedient to attempt any further flank movement, and I therefore determined to attack him in front, and without delay.

On the 30th of November Stewart’s corps was placed in position on the right, Cheatham’s on the left, and the cavalry on either flank, the main body of the cavalry on the right, under Forrest. Johnson’s division, of Lee’s corps, also became engaged on the left during the engagement. The line advanced at 4 p.m., with orders to drive the enemy into or across the Big Harpeth River, while General Forrest, if successful, was to cross the river and attack and destroy his trains and broken columns. The troops moved forward most gallantly to the attack. We carried the enemy’s first line of hastily constructed works handsomely. We then advanced against his interior line, and succeeded in carrying it also in some places. Here the engagement was of the fiercest possible character. Our men possessed themselves of the exterior of the works, while the enemy held the interior. Many of our men were killed entirely inside the works. The brave men captured were taken inside his works in the edge of the town. The struggle lasted till near midnight, when the enemy abandoned his works and crossed the river, leaving his dead and wounded in our possession. Never did troops fight more gallantly. The works of the enemy were so hastily constructed that while he had a slight abatis in front of a part of his line there was none on his extreme right. During the day I was restrained from using my artillery on account of the women and children remaining in the town. At night it was massed ready to continue the action in the morning, but the enemy retired.

We captured about 1,000 prisoners and several stand of colors. Our loss in killed, wounded, and prisoners was 4,500. Among the killed was Maj. Gen. P. R. Cleburne, Brigadier-Generals Gist, John Adams, Strahl, and Granbury. Major-General Brown, Brigadier-Generals Carter, Manigault, Quarles, Cockrell, and Scott were wounded, and Brigadier-General Gordon captured.

The number of dead left by the enemy on the field indicated that his loss was equal or near our own.

The next morning at daylight, the wounded being cared for and the dead buried, we moved forward toward Nashville, Forrest with his cavalry pursuing the enemy vigorously.

Lieut. Col. R. M. SAWYER,
Asst. Adjt. Gen.,
Military Division of the Mississippi.

COLONEL:

On the 12th of November communication with General Sherman was severed, the last dispatch from him leaving Cartersville, Ga., at 2.25 p.m. on that date. He had started on his great expedition from Atlanta to the seaboard, leaving me to guard Tennessee or to pursue the enemy if he followed the commanding general’s column. It was therefore with considerable anxiety that we watched the forces at Florence, to discover what course they would pursue with regard to General Sherman’s movements, determining thereby whether the troops under my command, numbering less than half those under Hood, were to act on the defensive in Tennessee, or take the offensive in Alabama.

The enemy’s position at Florence remained unchanged up to the 17th of November, when he moved Cheatham’s corps to the north side of the river, with Stewart’s corps preparing to follow. The same day part of the enemy’s infantry, said to be Lee’s corps, moved up the Lawrenceburg road to Bough’s Mill, on Shoal Creek, skirmishing at that point with Hatch’s cavalry, and then fell back a short distance to some bluffs, where it went into camp.

The possibility of Hood’s forces following General Sherman was now at an end, and I quietly took measures to act on the defensive. Two divisions of infantry, under Maj. Gen. A. J. Smith, were reported on their way to join me, from Missouri, which, with several one-year regiments then arriving in the department, and detachments collected from points of minor importance, would swell my command, when concentrated, to an army nearly as large as that of the enemy. Had the enemy delayed his advance a week or ten days longer, I would have been ready to meet him at some point south of Duck River, but Hood commenced his advance on the 19th, moving on parallel roads from Florence toward Waynesborough, and shelled Hatch’s cavalry out of Lawrenceburg on the 22d. My only resource then was to retire slowly toward my re-enforcements, delaying the enemy’s progress as much as possible, to gain time for re-enforcements to arrive and concentrate.

General Schofield commenced removing the public property from Pulaski preparatory to falling back toward Columbia. Two divisions of Stanley’s corps had already reached Lynnville, a point fifteen miles north of Pulaski, to cover the passage of the wagons and protect the railroad. Capron’s brigade of cavalry was at Mount Pleasant, covering the approach to Columbia from that direction; and, in addition to the regular garrison, there was at Columbia a brigade of Ruger’s division, Twenty-third Army Corps. I directed the two remaining brigades of Ruger’s division, then at Johnsonville, to move—one by railroad around through Nashville to Columbia, the other by road via Waverly to Centerville—and occupy the crossings of Duck River near Columbia, Williamsport, Gordon’s Ferry, and Centerville.

Since the departure of General Sherman about 7,000 men belonging to his column had collected at Chattanooga, comprising convalescents returning to their commands and men returning from furlough. These men had been organized into brigades, to be made available at such points as they might be needed. My command had also been re-enforced by twenty new one-year regiments, most of which, however, were absorbed in replacing old regiments whose terms of service had expired.

On the 23d, in accordance with directions previously given him, General Granger commenced withdrawing the garrisons from Athens, Decatur, and Huntsville, Ala., and moved off toward Stevenson, sending five new regiments of that force to Murfreesborough, and retaining at Stevenson the original troops of his command. This movement was rapidly made by railroad, without opposition on the part of the enemy. That same night General Schofield evacuated Pulaski and moved toward Columbia, reporting himself in position at that place on the 24th. The commanding officer at Johnsonville was directed to evacuate that post, after removing all public property, and retire to Fort Donelson, on the Cumberland, and thence to Clarksville. During the 24th and 25th the enemy skirmished with General Schofield’s troops at Columbia, but showed nothing but dismounted cavalry until the morning of the 26th, when his infantry came up and pressed our line strongly during that day and the 27th, but without assaulting. As the enemy’s movements showed an undoubted intention to cross above or below the town, General Schofield withdrew to the north bank of Duck River during the night of the 27th and took up a new position, where the command remained during the 28th, undisturbed. Two divisions of the Twenty-third Corps were placed in line in front of the town, holding all the crossings in its vicinity, while Stanley’s corps, posted in reserve on the Franklin pike, was held in readiness to repel any vigorous attempt the enemy should make to force a crossing; the cavalry, under command of Brevet Major-General Wilson, held the crossings above those guarded by the infantry. About 2 a.m. on the 29th the enemy succeeded in pressing back General Wilson’s cavalry, and effected a crossing on the Lewisburg pike; at a later hour part of his infantry crossed at Huey’s Mills, six miles above Columbia. Communication with the cavalry having been interrupted and the line of retreat toward Franklin being threatened, General Schofield made preparations to withdraw to Franklin. General Stanley, with one division of infantry, was sent to Spring Hill, about fifteen miles north of Columbia, to cover the trains and hold the road open for the passage of the main force, and dispositions were made preparatory to a withdrawal and to meet any attack coming from the direction of Huey’s Mills. General Stanley reached Spring Hill just in time to drive off the enemy’s cavalry and save the trains; but later he was attacked by the enemy’s infantry and cavalry combined, who engaged him heavily and nearly succeeded in dislodging him from the position, the engagement lasting until dark. Although not attacked from the direction of Huey’s Mills, General Schofield was busily occupied all day at Columbia resisting the enemy’s attempts to cross Duck River, which he successfully accomplished, repulsing the enemy many times, with heavy loss. Giving directions for the withdrawal of the troops as soon as covered by the darkness, at a late hour in the afternoon General Schofield, with Ruger’s division, started to the relief of General Stanley, at Spring Hill, and when near that place he came upon the enemy’s cavalry, but they were easily driven off. At Spring Hill the enemy was found bivouacking within 800 yards of the road. Posting a brigade to hold the pike at this point, General Schofield with Ruger’s division, pushed on to Thompson’s Station, three mile’s beyond, where he found the enemy’s campfires still burning, a cavalry force having occupied the place at dark, but had disappeared on the arrival of our troops. General Ruger then quietly took possession of the cross-roads.

The withdrawal of the main force from in front of Columbia was safely effected after dark on the 29th; Spring Hill was passed without molestation about midnight, and making a night march of twenty-five miles, the whole command got into position at Franklin at an early hour on the morning of the 30th; the cavalry moved on the Lewisburg pike, on the right or east of the infantry.

At Franklin General Schofield formed line of battle on the southern edge of the town to await the coming of the enemy, and in the meanwhile hastened the crossing of the trains to the north side of Harpeth River.

On the evacuation of Columbia orders were sent to Major-General Milroy, at Tullahoma, to abandon that post and retire to Murfrees-borough, joining forces with General Rousseau at the latter place. General Milroy was instructed, however, to maintain the garrison in the block-house at Elk River bridge. Nashville was placed in a state of defense and the fortifications manned by the garrison, re-enforced by a volunteer force, which had been previously organized into a division, under Bvt. Brig. Gen. J. L. Donaldson, from the employ�s of the quartermaster’s and commissary departments. This latter force, aided by railroad employ�s, the whole under the direction of Brigadier-General Tower, worked assiduously to construct additional defenses. Major-General Steedman, with a command numbering 5,000, composed of detachments belonging to General Sherman’s column, left behind at Chattanooga (of which mention has heretofore been made), and also a brigade of colored troops, started from Chattanooga by rail on the 29th of November, and reached Cowan on the morning of the 30th, where orders were sent him to proceed direct to Nashville. At an early hour on the morning of the 30th the advance of Maj. Gen. A. J. Smith’s command reached Nashville by transports from Saint Louis. My infantry force was now nearly equal to that of the enemy, although he still outnumbered me very greatly in effective cavalry; but as soon as a few thousand of the latter arm could be mounted I should be in a condition to take the field offensively and dispute the possession of Tennessee with Hood’s army.

The enemy followed closely after General Schofield’s rear guard in the retreat to Franklin, and upon coming up with the main force, formed rapidly and advanced to assault our works, repeating attack after attack during the entire afternoon, and as late as 10 p.m. his efforts to break our line were continued. General Schofield’s position was excellently chosen, with both flanks resting upon the river, and the men firmly held their ground against an overwhelming enemy, who was repulsed in every assault along the whole line. Our loss, as given by General Schofield in his report transmitted herewith (and to which I respectfully refer), is, 189 killed, 1,033 wounded, and 1,104 missing, making an aggregate of 2,326. We captured and sent to Nashville 702 prisoners, including I general officer, and 33 stand of colors. Maj. Gen. D. S. Stanley, commanding Fourth Corps, was severely wounded at Franklin whilst engaged in rallying a portion of his command which had been temporarily overpowered by an overwhelming attack of the enemy. At the time of the battle the enemy’s loss was known to be severe, and was estimated at 5,000. The exact figures were only obtained, however, on the reoccupation of Franklin by our forces, after the battles of December 15 and 16, at Brentwood Hills, near Nashville, and are given as follows: Buried upon the field, 1,750; disabled and placed in hospital at Franklin, 3,800, which, with the 702 prisoners already reported, makes an aggregate loss to Hood’s army of 6,252, among whom were 6 general officers killed, 6 wounded, and I captured. The important results of the signal victory cannot be too highly appreciated, for it not only seriously checked the enemy’s advance, and gave General Schofield time to remove his troops and all his property to Nashville, but it also caused deep depression among the men of Hood’s army, making them doubly cautious in their subsequent movements.

An excellent seated pose of Colonel Alexander McKinstry in a Confederate colonel’s uniform with quatrefoil sleeve braid, wearing a sash and sword belt around his waist and holding his high-grade officer’s sword in his lap. His colonel’s kepi lies next to him on a side table.

Alexander McKinstry, originally of the 32nd Alabama Regiment, served as Provost Marshal and a member of the staff of General Braxton Bragg for much of the war. In addition to his duties involving the exchange of prisoners and army discipline, McKinstry was also actively involved with intelligence gathering and espionage activities.

Because of the presence of his photograph in Miss Tarleton’s album, it can be assumed that McKinstry was a close friend of Patrick R. Cleburne, the Irish-born former Arkansas lawyer who became the most admired yet controversial figure in the ill-starred Army of Tennessee.

Cleburne was killed in action at the Battle of Franklin, Tennessee on November 30, 1864.

Alexander McKinstry is mentioned a number of times in the Official Records of the War of Rebellion. The 32nd Alabama saw heavy action during the war.

The rendezvous of the regiment was at Mobile, where it was organized in April, 1862. In July it was sent into Tennessee, and received its baptism of fire at Bridgeport, where it crossed the river. It was this regiment that captured Stevenson, Tenn. It was in middle Tennessee under General Forrest, and was overpowered and lost a number of prisoners at Lavergne, October, 1862.

The regiment met severe loss at Murfreesboro and its roll of honor is a long one. It was sent to the relief of Vicksburg, and did valiant work in the trenches at Jackson, where, in repulsing an attack of the enemy without loss, it slaughtered 260 yanks.

It rejoined the army of Tennessee and at Chickamauga suffered severely. During the winter of 1863-64, the regiment was transferred from Adams’ to Clayton’s brigade and consolidated with the Fifty-eighth under Col. Bush. Jones, and took part in the Atlanta campaign; was with Hood in Tennessee, taking part at Franklin, Columbia and Nashville.

Oliver was mentioned in dispatches as having provided personal care to a mortally wounded Union artillery officer during the Battle of Atlanta on July 22, 1864. Oliver eventually became the commanding officer of the 24th Alabama, holding the temporary appointment of Lieutenant-Colonel.

Oliver is mentioned in the Official Records of the War of Rebellion.

The 24th Alabama was organized at Mobile in August, 1861. In April it was ordered to Corinth, and was under fire at Farmington, May 9th, and Blackland, June 4, 1862. It was in the Kentucky campaign, but did not become engaged; lost heavily at Murfreesboro, and was distinguished at Chickamauga, where it lost over 30 per cent of its number, and also at Missionary Ridge.

It was with General Johnston in the campaign of 1864, and fought in most of the battles from Dalton to Jonesboro.

It was at Columbia, Tenn., November 29th; at Franklin, November 30th, and at Nashville, December 15th and 16th. Capt. W. B. Smith and Lieutenant Cooper were killed at Murfreesboro, Capt. Wm. J. O’Brien at Chickamauga, and Capt. John B. Hazard, mortally wounded at Missionary Ridge, was taken prisoner and died at Johnson’s Island.

The 23rd Corps lost 958, and the 4th Corps lost 1,368. 189 men were killed, 1,033 were wounded, 1,104 captured and 287 cavalry casualties. Only 1 Federal General was wounded (Major General David Stanley, Corps Commander).

Confederate Casualties - 7,000 men

More than 1,750 men were killed outright or died of mortal wounds, 3,800 seriously wounded and 702 captured (not including cavalry casualties). 15 out of 28 Confederate Generals were casualties. 65 field grade officers were lost. Some infantry regiments lost 64 % of their strength at Franklin. There were more men killed in the Confederate Army of Tennessee in the 5- hour battle than in the 2-day Battle of Shiloh, the 3-day Battle of Stones River, and the 7-day Campaign in Virginia for the Federal Army.

In the spring of 1866, the McGavock Family of Franklin donated 2 acres near their home, Carnton, to establish a Confederate Cemetery where 1,481 soldiers are laid to rest.

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The 120th was detached from Sherman’s army, Oct. 30, and ordered to Nashville, being in skirmishes at Columbia, and in the battle at Franklin, on Nov. 30, losing 48 in killed and wounded, Maj. Brasher being mortally wounded.

The following 120th Indiana soldiers were killed at Franklin:

- Stephen Bowers, Oakland City, IN; Private who enlisted on 3/8/64.
- Edward Brashear, Columbus, IN; 1st Sgt., who enlisted on 6/7/61.
- Andrew Garber, Bedford, IN; Private who enlisted on 2/20/64.
- John Shaw, Newberry, IN; who enlisted on 10/5/63.
- James Shevien, Crawfordsville, IN; who enlisted on 1/30/64.

The 120th was part of the 23rd Army Corps under Brig General Jacob B. Cox. It was part of the 3rd Brigade - Col. Israel B. Niles. The 120th fought alongside the 112th Illinois and the 63rd and 128th Indiana.

Here is a picture of General Jacob Dolson Cox during the war.

Col. Israel Stiles’ report on the 120th at Franklin

Col. Israel Stiles (63rd IN) wrote this about the 120th in his Official Report on December 5, 1864:

“…the 120th Indiana on the left was subjected to a terrific enfilading fire, both from the enemy’s artillery and infantry. The regiment and its commander, Colonel [Allen] Prather, in my opinion, deserve great praise for the heroic manner with which they held their position, the loss of which might have resulted in a defeat to our army.”

To see the position of the 120th (Stiles) and the entire battlefield please click here to download the PDF map (1.7mb).

Wiley Sword writes the following about the 120th in “Embrace an Angry Wind”:

“Farher east, toward the deep railroad cut, the 120th Indiana Infantry stood plugging the narrow gap between the osage hedge and the railroad . . . . The 120th Indiana stopped this attempt [of Confederates pressing to the right] with repeated volleys of musketry. When the Confederates attempted to use the railroad cut, a section of Battery M, 4th U.S. Artillery, came galloping forward to enfilade the defile. Their blasts of cannister soon halted the enemy, now found crawling “on their hands and knees.” Within minutes the ground on the eastern portion of the battlefield had became a virtual death zone where not even a rabbit could safely pass, wrote one soldier [B.F. 112th Illinois Infantry].”

The flag of the 33rd Mississippi Infantry was captured as Winfield S. Featherston’s brigade (Loring’s Division) assaulted the position of eastern flank defended by the 120th and other regiments.

Isaac C. Clark, 63rd Indiana Infantry [fought alongside the 120th], wrote the following account in his diary:

“We marched all night. Arrived at Franklin, Tenn. in the morning. Here we halted, and built a line of works, and we thought ( as the rebels seemed anxious for a fight, ) that we would try our hand on them at this place, so we made all necessary preparations. We had cannon placed along our line of works, about 50 yards apart, besides a number of well fortified forts, containing several pieces of artillery. At 4 o’clock p.m., the enemy came, they drove in our pickets and made a desperate charge upon our works, but were driven back with a great slaughter, however this did not satisfy them, and they came again and again until they had made as much as 8 or 10 different charges upon our works. They took a portion of our works at one time, but they were immediately retaken by our men; they fought with a desperation worthy of a better cause. The battle lasted 7 hours; we retreated at 11 p.m. Co. D., had one man killed, Co. E., one wounded. The enemy loss was reported at 8 or 10 thousand.

Our regt., had helped build a great many lines of works during the war, but this was the first time that they had the privilege of fighting behind works during a general engagement.

We retreated to Nashville, and went into camp at Fort Negley. The enemy followed us but they did not make a charge upon us at Nashville as they did at Franklin, I think that they had got about enough of charging; but they halted some distance from the city and built works. We remained in camp some 15 days, and there was some fighting going on every day during this time.”

Source:
“Reminiscences of an Old 63rd, Ind., Soldier”
By Isaac C. Clark
Covington, Ind., Nov. 27, 1875 http://www.indianainthecivilwar.com/letters/63rd/63diary.htm

Suggested links related to the 120th at Franklin

The Colonels of the 120th were Richard F. Barter (3/12/64 through 8/8/64) and Allen W. Prather (8/17/64) and Reuben C. Kise (9/1/65).

The 120th was engaged in the following action during the Civil War: (Georgia) Rocky Face Ridge, Resaca, Kennesaw Mountain, seige of Atlanta; (Tennessee) Columbia, Franklin and Nashville. The original strength of the 120th was 976 men. They gained an additional 219 recruits to equal a total of 1,195. They suffered 151 deaths during the war.

The 120th was part of the 23rd Corps, Army and Department of Ohio for most of the Civil War.

Col. Israel Stiles’ report on the 120th at Franklin

Col. Israel Stiles (63rd IN) wrote this about the 120th in his Official Report on December 5, 1864:

“…the 120th Indiana on the left was subjected to a terrific enfilading fire, both from the enemy’s artillery and infantry. The regiment and its commander, Colonel [Allen] Prather, in my opinion, deserve great praise for the heroic manner with which they held their position, the loss of which might have resulted in a defeat to our army.”

For a regimental history of the 120th please click here.

1849 Gibson County Retrospect
Based on “Indiana Gazetteer,” published by E. Chamberlain

John and Carrie McGavock’s describes the scene at Carnton after the Battle of Franklin.

Sunset in the West
http://www.battleoffranklin.com

Dear Sister,

It has been a long time since we have had any thing like regular mail communication and consequently I have not attempted to write to you. I am now on the cars some thirty miles from Nashville. We have stopped to wait for another & then we go on to Pulaski. Hoods old army is up here some where & part of Shermans army is here to watch him while Sherman himself with the main force is advancing from Atlanta to Savannah or Charleston. He will destroy the entire railroads of the Confederacy and then they will be reduced to still greater straits than before. Old Abe is elected & if Jeff Davis wishes to try his hand for four years longer let him do so. The Southern Confederacy will by that time be effectually destroyed while the North will be flourishing as the rose. If southern traitors wish desolation and destruction of their entire country Abolition of Slavery included let them have it. Columbia, Tenn. Nov. 23rd 1864 Dear Sister, Since I commenced the letter on the other page circumstances prevented my finishing it. We started immediately from Franklin & when we got here I was sent away & in the mean time the cars which had my things on were sent back before they were unloaded. A man was with the whole of the luggage & he just returned to us the other day. So I concluded to write on the same sheet nevertheless. Nearly all I care about writing at present is that I am perfectly well and doing well for a soldier. Cold weather has commenced. Day before yesterday we had a little spotting of snow just enough to be seen on the ground, when it cleared off the ground froze hard so that now we consider ourselves embarked in the winter campaign. Yet winters with the exception of a few days are not so very disagreeable and soon you know almost before we are aware of it spring will come & its heels another summer which will let us out of the service even if the war is not as I hope it will be ended. How I wish a few of the northern democrats or Copperheads for there is very little difference between them were in the place of some of these Rebs so that they could try the effect of our bullets. George writes that his house is burned down. He takes it hard! P Shah! I could whistle over such misfortunes as that. Haven’t I seen thousands of such buildings burned in the South. Black smoking ruins where the house once stood. Every fence burned down, every particle of corn potatoes etc. destroyed & every part of the farm rendered so barren that even a rat would not be secure from starvation. I like to see it done here for the South has sown the wind & they should reap the whirlwind. The worst men that God ever suffered to live are in my mind the Aristocrats of the south. And side by side with them are their sympathizers in the North. Have your heard from Thomas lately. According to my understanding his time will be out in ten or fifteen days. He enlisted on the first of December & I the following August. I have nine months & a few days yet. We have been notified several times since we have been here to look out for Hood & Forrest. They have not paid us a visit yet & I hope will not attempt to at present. We don’t care about fighting them but can & will if they come this way. Our regt. is in excellent condition though small & we hope may be able to go out without losing many more men. Excuse this letter which was hastily written & though in two parts, may perhaps be as good as any I could write were I to commence anew. Remember me to all the friends. Write the news as soon as possible.

Your Brother

A.M.Weston

Nov 27th We have had quite a battle here I am well & unhurt

Middleton Place is about a 30-40 minute drive from downtown Charleston on I-61 North.

This is a very enjoyable and relaxing estate to visit. The grounds are perfectly landscaped. One will see a very large reflective pond upon entering the grounds. Travel to the house museum area by foot or by horse-drawn carriage (for a fee).

There is a fine restaurant on site. Make sure you save room for the huguenot torte dessert. Also save time for a walk through the stableyards, the House museum, the outdoor program, and the gift shop.

The original estate was built by Henry Middleton starting in 1741 when he married Mary Williams. There were originally 200 acres as part of the estate.

The main house was originally three stories and then two flanker houses were added to either side of the main house in the 1750’s. Middleton Place was burned by Federal troops in February 1865 and the only structure remaining that was restorable was the south flanker structure, which is what one can see and visit today.

When touring the House Museum one will see many items from the personal family collection covering the years of 1740s to the 1880s, including, china, paintings, documentsm Civil War memorabilia, books, furniture and silver.

It was originally built in 1825. Confederate General P.G.T. Beauregard is said to have stood on the second story piazza on April 12th 1861 to watch the bombing of Ft. Sumter.

Their web site states:

The stately Edmondston-Alston House was built in 1825 on Charleston’s High Battery and is one of the city’s most splendid dwellings. A witness to many dramatic events in Charleston’s history, the Edmondston-Alston House is a classic example of the city’s changing and sophisticated taste in architecture and decorative arts.

2. Nine crew members were aboard on February 17th, all perished.

3. The Hunley was in the ocean, in Charleston Harbor, 136 years before it was raised.

4. The Hunley sank the USS Housatonic, the first successful use of a submarine sinking an enemy vessel in battle.

5. Five Union soldiers aboard the Housatonic died as a result of the sinking; while 150 survived.

6. The Hunley was finally discovered in 1995.

7. The original Hunley was funded and sponsored by a New Orleans lawyer, Horace Lawson Hunley, who perished aboard his namesake vessel during her second mission.

8. She was about 40 feet long, 4 1/2 feet high and 4 feet across.

9. The Hunley was powered by a hand-cranked propeller.

10. The Housatonic sank in about 30 feet of water.

11. Why the crew of the Hunley died aboard is a mystery.

12. P.T. Barnum, at one time, offered a $100,000 reward for the discovery of the Hunley.

13. American author Clive Cussler determined to find the Hunley in 1980. It took him 15 years.

14. The Hunley sank the Housatonic by sticking a long spar into the ships side and then backing away thereby debtonating about 100 pounds of explosive.

15. The Hunley had a surface speed of 4.6 mph (4 knots).

Civil War Gazette recommends a dinner cruise aboard one of the SpiritLine boats. They offer trips to Ft. Sumter and a relaxing dinner cruise aboard the Spirit of Carolina.

Some of the stories are superb, for example: The Lost Drum of William Mayo, Mystery at Devil’s Den, Capture of the Confederate President, and A Tale of Two Jackets.

Each story is just a few minutes and can be viewed as a ’stand alone’ feature for the classroom. Public libraries should also purchase this edition.

We are providing access to this content (i.e., streaming audio files from CWTR) because Dr. Woodworth is a friend to the Civil War Gazette in many ways, none the least of which is in an advisory capacity.

February 4th, 2005

How important was the Western Theater to the Civil War? What was the religious life of soldiers like? How does one do or write good history without being driven by one’s own paradigm? Is interest in the Civil War cresting, getting tired of it? If you could go back to meet with one person, whom would you meet and what would you say? Professor, and advisor to the Civil War Gazette, Steven E. Woodowrth was recently interviewed by Civil War Talk Radio.

Segment One

Regimental History of the 120th Indiana Infantry

One Hundred and Twentieth Infantry INDIANA
(3-YEARS)

One Hundred and Twentieth Infantry. — Cols. Richard F. Barter Allen W. Prather, Reuben C. Kise; Lieut.-Cols., Allen W. Prather, Reuben C. Kise, John M. Barcus, Majs., Reuben C. Kise, Edward B. Brasher, John M. Barcus, Albert Knowles.

This regiment was organized in the winter of 1863 at Columbus, and was mustered in March 1, 1864. It left the state March 20, proceeding to Louisville, Ky., where it was assigned to a brigade with Hovey’s division.

It moved to Nashville and on April 5, for Charlestown, Tenn., being assigned to the 1st brigade, 1st division, 23rd army corps. Moving May 2 in the Atlanta campaign, it was engaged at Rocky Face Ridge, Resaca, taking a conspicuous part and joining in the charge which routed the enemy; in the assault of Kennesaw Mountain, and in the battle before Atlanta, July 22.

It was in the siege of Atlanta and in constant skirmishing until its evacuation being engaged at Jonesboro and Lovejoy’s Station. Col. Barter resigning Sept. 15, Lieut.-Col. Prather was promoted to the colonelcy of the regiment, which moved in the pursuit of Hood in October as far as Summerville.

It was detached from Sherman’s army, Oct. 30, and ordered to Nashville, being in skirmishes at Columbia, and in the battle at Franklin, on Nov. 30, losing 48 in killed and wounded, Maj. Brasher being mortally wounded.

Moving to Nashville, it took position in line of battle and took part in the battle of Dec. 15-16, joining in the pursuit of Hood’s retreating forces, and going into camp at Clifton, Tenn. Embarking Jan. 15, 1865, it moved to Cincinnati, thence to Washington City, from whence it proceeded to New Berne, N.C.

Moving on March 6, with its division towards Kinston, it was in a sharp fight at Wise’s Forks on the 8th and again on the 10th, when a furious assault was repulsed with heavy loss on the enemy. The regiment occupied a position in the center, exposed to the heaviest attack, and lost 7 killed and 48 wounded.

Joining the forces under Gen. Cox at Kinston, it moved to Goldsboro, meeting Sherman’s army which had arrived from Fayetteville. It was in camp at Goldsboro until April 10, when it moved towards Smithfield, proceeding thence to Raleigh, where it was engaged in provost duty with the army encamped about the city.

It then moved to Charlotte, N. C., May 10, remaining there for three months and moving thence to Greensboro. It was ordered to Raleigh, Aug. 21, for garrison duty. Col. Prather resigned Sept. 9, Lieut.-Col. Kise was promoted c