The fighting soon became brutal and fiendishly savage, with men bayoneted and clubbed to death in the Carter yard. A Confederate soldier was bayoneted on the front steps of the Carter House.  Men were clubbing, clawing, punching, stabbing and choking each other.  The smoke from the canons and guns was so thick that you could not tell friend from foe.

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.

After the battle, like so many homes in Franklin, the parlor of the Carter House was converted into a Confederate field hospital and witnessed many surgeries and amputations.

Around midnight, the Federal Army retreated to Nashville to join the forces of General George Thomas.