The blood stains left in the wood flooring is one thing, imagine being there at the time, though. Blood would've been pouring through the seams in the floorboards and pooling up on the floor, the surgeons would've needed sand on the floor to maintain traction so they could operate. Can you imagine the smell? Burnt flesh, blood, cordite, the effluveum of dead and dying men. I'm a vet tech, I've experienced some extremely foul smells, but nothing in the level of a place like this. That room has seen unbelievable suffering and horror. I'm glad they kept the blood stained wood, as you said JD, it makes it so much more real. I'm not a big believer in the paranormal, but if any room in America is haunted, it's this room. Thank you for showing us this, JD.
The book "The Widow of the South" is a good read. It tells how the Carnton Mansion was used as a hospital. It was owned by one of the McGavocks. Mrs. McGavock had the fallen soldiers moved from the hastily made battlefield graves to her property right beside the mansion. Soldiers' belongings were buried with them and soldiers identified on their grave markers if possible. The cemetery was sectioned off by states. You can stand right beside that cemetery and see the graves and imagine the hard job they had to accomplish this huge undertaking. She would write the families of the fallen soldiers too so they would know where their boy was buried. It's a very interesting story. What a great thing that gentle Lady did. ❤️
You ought to see it in person, not just pictures and videos. I live in the area and am surrounded by History of what was done. Some of the homes like the Lotze house and antebellum homes and Churches that was here can tell the stories , the deeds of life, and death of this horrendous Battle fought by Valiant Men of both sides gift their beliefs and ideals.
Bloodiest 4 hours of the war! What a horror it was. I laid awake at night after my visit to franklin somewhere between being asleep it hit me hard. May they all rest in peace may they all not be forgotten.
I’ve lived in Franklin since 1983 and I know quite a bit about this battle but I learned even more as I watched this. My family loves this city and we’re so glad that we found it and that we are able to call it home!
The weird thing is that a place of such amazing and peacuful BEAUTY can hold such a violent history. It seems like a place where you would like to retire after a lifetime of work to enjoy all that quiet and still tranquillity.
Carnton is my absolute favorite mansion, followed by Belle Meade. The history and tragedy that surrounds Carnton is so important and fascinating for anyone wanting to learn about the Civil War
Thanks for your videos . My son was in the car and listened to a few of your episodes and it engaged conversation, which I loved . You have a great manner in which you share information , it’s interesting and for our kids that have such a short attention span the length of these videos are great!
I visited this battlefield with my family about 18 months ago, right around Christmas time. I'm a Civil War history nut and we were going to visit Nashville but stayed in Franklin just because of this battle filed. What an awesome and well-kept battlefield. I know the trust is buying back property to put even more of the original battlefield back to its natural state (removed a Domino's Pizza, etc...). Some of the outbuildings at the Carter House are really shot up with small arms fire! I highly recommend anyone stop if you're in the area!
I traveled to Franklin on numerous occasions for work. I spent some time studying the Battle of Franklin. The Mansion was closed because it was after hours. We did spend hours at the cemetery on the grounds. I can not imagen digging the dead up after months in the ground to give them a proper burial. The cemetery is amazing. The whole situation is documented in a book called the Widow of the south. Good read. I'd like to go back and spend a few days in Franklin, it's beautiful
As a traveler who also loves history...you have placed another battlefield on my map. I recently drove across the US from Washington to Massachusetts, and I had to stop at Little Bighorn (for the second time). In a week, I'll be off south heading to Gettysburg (for the ?? time). I hope someday to cross paths! Keep exploring, keep teaching!
I’m a groundskeeper at a historic national memorial in VA, and I love history. Seeing those blood stains is quite incredible, and it’s amazing the building hasn’t been burned down as many were including where I am.
I just now ran onto this. Good video. I visited the Franklin battlefield many years ago and saw the Carter House mentioned in the next video. I also remember a tour guide talking about a tourist had visited some of the civil war battlefields and asked "How did they have a battle there with all the monuments around?" . Cleburne, Texas is named after Patrick Cleburne, who was killed at the battle of Franklin.
Amazing work!! My great-grandfather was wounded at the Battle of Franklin. He recovered and lived to old age. He spent his last days in the Old Soldier's Home that was set up at Beauvoir in Biloxi MS. That would be an interesting place to add to your list.
Having been to Carnton twice, I can concur that it an awesome place with much history. One of those bloodstains in the old nursery is a footprint of the lady of the house who helped the surgeons. I have put my foot on that stain and it was definitely eerie. There is also a family cemetery there with an adjacent cemetery for the soldiers who died. The lady searched each man's clothing to try to identify them and her notebook is still there at the house. It was a very moving experience for me both times.
Fantastic series on the American civil war so fascinating for a British person who knew nothing of the brave men and women fighting in the war a must watch series for all history buffs like me .The house is one of the most beautiful I’ve ever seen
I just sat down to watch some videos. This is about the sixth one of yours that I've watched this evening. Your sensitivity, narration and insights are the same as those I've felt in places that as a soldier, I've been to. Thank you for your wonderful work.
I was privileged enough to visit several battlefields and plantations several years ago with my best friend. Franklin was one of them and it is an amazing place and something you have to see in person to get the whole fascinating, horrific, tragic effect. I love Tennessee!
Nashville native here and Franklin is such a cool town!! It is by far one of the most beautiful and charming towns in the South. And Carnton Plantation is a must see!! Carrie McGavock was an amazing person. Not only was her house used to treat those confederate soldiers wounded. She also had so many be buried in her cemetery on the grounds. She worked tirelessly to keep precise records of who is buried where. That way family could come visit and/or recover their loved ones. Hundreds (maybe 1000+) tombstones still there and book of records available with names of those known. So relatives can still come and pay their respects. Not an easy task. To be such a horrible battle, the grounds are so beautiful and peaceful. And in the actual town of Franklin, the older homes are breathtaking. Little shops, town square, old movie theater, historic churches, cemetery, etc. You cen spend an entire day there easily. Very well preserved place that takes you back in time. Interesting fact- After battle, way more dead people than live ones in the town. Deceased soldiers, from both sides, all around. So townspeople were in charge of the task of burying them. And basically all that were there were old men, women and children. But they did it. Strong and proud town still to this day. Was just there and love it!!!
It is inexcusable that the memory of the men who fought, bled and died in the Civil War, the War Against The South, is attempting to be erased. They earned their place in the history of our great country and will always be remembered, no matter how many statues are defaced and books are banned and burned.
This place is really cool I enjoyed my time there. all the people there doing the tours were wonderful... Loved seeing how many people fought and died there - Walking through Carnton was Amazing...
Going from reading Sam Watkins' first hand account of these battles then finding them on your amazing channel is incredible. You're doing God's work. Keep it up.
Thank you for your video about my adult home town. I have lived here for about 30 years and have visited Carnton and other sites in the area many times. While I am far from a historian, I have read about the battle and know its general flow. First off, keep in mind that this is in the November - December timeline and our weather is not the greatest at that time of the year. The actual battle occurred later in the afternoon and progressed into the evening. The duration was not that long but the carnage was great. If I remember one of the statistics, it was the bloodiest hour of the war. Another comment is that the main thrust of the Confederate advance was along Columbia Pike which is today's US31. Carnton was on the periphery of the battle (hence "Eastern Flank") and was important as its role being one of the hospitals. It was a tragic loss for the small Southern town of Franklin and for many years, it was not publicized. As the town grew into the 20th century, much of the land south of downtown was developed and the battlefield was lost. The group that is handling the rebirth has done much of this work in the past 20 years. When I moved to Franklin in 1990, the Carnton estate was a golf course, the area around the Cotton Gin site had a small shopping center and a Pizza Hut. The Carter House, Carnton, Fort Granger (location of the Union artillery) and the observation point along 31 south of town were all there but were minor attractions. I subscribed to your channel tonight and look forward to more videos on the subject.
I live in indiana and rarely get to travel outside of the state except for work on michigan. Thank you so much for showing me parts of our country which i unfortunately can not travel to yet. THANK YOU. You do such a good job 🇺🇸🇺🇸
I am thrilled to see this video. I’m a Franklin native, now living in Florida, and miss my town and its history so much. I frequented the tours at the Lotz, Carter, and Carnton as well as the walking tours (went at least once a week). Thank you for posting the series of Franklin videos as well as the Andersonville videos (my ancestor is buried at Andersonville/Camp Sumter). It helps me feel like I have a piece of home with me in Florida.
Great video!! Battle of Franklin was an incredibly bloody affair and fascinating one to learn about. I actually had the privilege of reenacting on the Spring Hill battlefield itself. One of my friends found a Spencer rifle round in the ground as we were in the area where union cavalry was skirmishing the Confederates. Very cool campaign.
This was very errie, and brought such realism to the War all of these years later. Thank you for taking us here and explaining things, and THANK YOU for not slanting it one way or another. So many of the video's I've watched the videographer or tour guide throws his own attitudes towards one side or the other, and I didn't see this occur at all with you and I thank you!
Another place to check out is Lexington Mo. Battle of the hemp bales. House on property was used as a hospital still can see bullet holes and small cannon balls in the structure is now a museum and has battle field near by next to missouri river.
My husband wanted to know where I wanted to go for our anniversary in June. I said Franklin TN! We already have our reservation made! We’re so excited to visit Carnton and the battlefield and the home next door. We’re also planning to visit Andrew Jackson’s home. I read a book on Carnton and loved it, but when my husband and I watched your videos we knew it was going on our bucket list. Thank you for making history come alive for us! I would love to be a student in your class!
Carter house and in particular the fighting around the cotton gin is some of the most intense and violent fighting of the whole war, IMHO. Can’t wait to see what you have for the carter house!
I'm a history buff especially about the civil war and your videos are just great, this war was awful on both sides, and God bless them all and May they all rest in peace
The Belle Meade Plantation also was used as a field hospital during the Civil War. The floors contain blood stains too. The stately columns in the front of the house also contain musket ball marks.
Wow what an amazing place to visit and virtually left to your own devices. It certainly was a bloody battle 9500 dead and injured in just a few hours including several generals killed and also the future WW2 general MacArthurs father badly injured. Thank you JD for your passion for history and all of your hard work in making your fab videos and keeping history alive.
This is what I've been looking for! Your video really helps me understand a battle not just as movements on a map, but as actions within a geographical space. I think that the drone shots spliced with shots of you on the ground really do the trick.
As a Tennessee native, Franklin is terribly underrepresented even within the State. It's barely covered in Tennessee-centric college history courses, and when I went to the battlefield as a kid in the '90s there was hardly anything there compared to Shiloh.
Thanks for the video. I have played more than a few weddings at the Carntan house sitting underneath the massive oak tree in the yard. It is a heavy place for sure.
Ive been here before. The blood stained floor just put you at a loss for words. It was fascinating to see. The gardens were beautiful. The slave houses were interesting to see. They definitely carry a negative energy you can feel.
Outstanding episode. I visited there once. On the worst part of the battlefield at the time of my visit was a Dominoes Pizza place. In OCS, I was made to memorize “ Schofields Definition of Discipline “ Memories of Ft. Benning!
God bless you guys from here in the U.S. I heard that you poor souls are on strict COVID lockdowns by an out-of-control government. Our hearts and prayers are going out to you. Meanwhile, I'm listening to K.C. sing. She definitely had that rose silk voice that makes everyone's day; a perfect remedy for our COVID blues. 😎
The carter house really opened my eyes to the battle of Franklin the bullet holes, and the tour guides explanation of how the dead became piled so high that men were dead standing up couldn’t imagine the carnage.
I just stumbled on to your videos of Franklin---excellent camera work, excellent narrative---thank you for taking the time to film, edit and upload. Its unimaginable to think Tod survived that bullet wound.
@@TheHistoryUnderground I thought I remember the blood stains having an outline of a boot and that there was a doctor who would put his hand behind his back as he was operating and the blood would drop behind him and leave the impression.
The blood of the brave confederates you are on hallowed ground. I like to think that either side north or south did not die in vain. They both sides were brave, true to their cause, and fought the fight holding on to their cause and beliefs.
Franklin is one of those places where you see the importance of battlefield preservation.. The battlefield is almost lost forever.. But the rest will be saved by the battlefield trust. Thank god!!
The History Underground I totally understand, they are neat sites in Tennessee leading down to Chickamagua. Thank you for your good work on the films, makes me feel connected to my great grandparents who fought on both sides.
Interesting. Need to visit there. My Great Grand Father (AL36 inf, Co. I) fought there with Hood before being captured at Overton’s Hill South of Nashville.
A very impactful video. That house holds such dark history. It is hard to imagine all that trauma going on in those rooms . Fascinating as usual. Thankyou History Underground ☺☺
Thanks! The guy who showed me around that house (Tony) did a great job of painting a picture of what went on there. His depth of knowledge was incredible.
Nashville/Franklin native here who’s lived here my whole life and studied the battle of Franklin. A few interesting notes to take from this is how the battle of Franklin essentially was what cost the confederacy the war. If Hood wouldn’t have stalled at Rippavilla in Spring Hill and attacked, the Union wouldn’t have been able to advance to set up at Franklin. Know as one of, if not the worst mistakes of the entire civil war. He basically let them slip away in the night only to be annihilated the next day. And about Carnton, the McGavock family who was living there and woke up November 30th to their house being the epicenter of the battle, what they did was incredible. John and Carrie McGavock tended to all the soldiers there. Carrie took and ripped all her sheets and clothing in the house to use as bandages for the wounded. She spend all her time tending to those boys to the point her entire gown was completely soaked with blood for days. The children Hattie (9) and Windor (7) also helped by bringing soldiers water and bandages. The McGavocks assisted in burying all the dead. Two years later, John donated 2 acres of his property to be an actual confederate cemetery. He had all the bodies exhumed and buried properly which can still be visited today. Oh and lastly. This was in fact the 5 bloodiest hours of the entire civil war. The casualty rate was not as high as many other battles. But in only a few hours time during twilight, in intense hand to hand combat, more blood was shed in that span of time comparatively than to any other battle of the entire civil war.
Good story. It's a shame that the haters and fools all want to erase and tear down our history. After the statues what's next for them. It's history. God bless America.
I went to the Bentonville Battlefield in North Carolina and in a two-story farmhouse/ field Hospital they told me they we're amputating limbs and throwing them out of the first floor windows. They did so many that they stacked up high enough to fall back through the windows. I have been in many old farm houses but this one did not smell right. It was creepy but very satisfying and I enjoyed the visit to the battlefield immensely.
I am a “history troll” of sorts on UA-cam. You do some really great content and videos. Not sure how long you have been doing them but deserve waaay more than 50k subs. You now have 50,001 sir. Keep it up!
Ha! Thank you. I started posting videos about a year ago. I figure that people are interested and I earn it, then the subs will come. Thank you for the kind word.
Toured the battlefield and Carter House and plantation structures last week. The most intense fighting occurred around the Cotton Gin (short for engine) where the Union battery was stationed and where the short lived Confederate breakthrough occurred.
I grew up in the 1950's, mostly at 540 Edwin Ave (now Edwin St.), just off of Gallatin Road. Our house was situated on the edge of a large forest. From satellite imagery I can see much of the forest is still there. This is a very high hill from the surrounding terrain. On the very top of the hill were what looked like some trench fortifications made of stone. I was told that minie ball and cannonballs were found in this area. We spent many an hour playing on this site as children. As a child part of the forest was bull dozed to install a water tank. The forest was bounded on the east by the L & N railroad tracks and via duct.
The history in that area is amazing. Nashville was originally called Fort Nashborough. They have a replica in downtown Nashville right along the river where they hold big country music concerts now. Lovely, lovely area of our country 🇺🇸❤️
My grandfather's uncle was killed at the battle of Franklin. I have a book about the battle called "The Widow of the South". It is very detailed. It is about the lady who lived there. The battle was fought partly on her property. And it was her house they used for the hospital.
JD, recommended reading for you. The Widow of the South. Talks about Carrie McGavok, the woman that was married to the man who owned Carnton also, Company Atch by Sam Watkins, a Confederate soldier in the Western campaign who was there. Also, if I recall there were six Confederate generals killed in that battle. One, quite famous, was Patrick Cleburne, who emigrated from Ireland and lived in Arkansas. I'm so glad the Battlefield Trust got that battlefield back. When I was there, the only thing you could visit was the Carter House and Carnton. I only was able to visit the Carter home, which is quite the experience itself. Oh the drama. Yes, I'm a Civil War buff. My library is full of books. Lol. Ask me anything. Did you know , for instance, the soldiers under Hood that survived claimed Hood made those charges as punishment for Spring Hill?
Since you claim to know a lot about the Carnton home, perhaps you can help me out with a question I had after watching the video. Since hte Carnton home served as a make-shift hospital for so long, did the family that originally lived there move out of the house? If so, where did they go? Thanks for your response!
My home town.There is a Confederate cemetery on the grounds of the Carnton mansion.It was owned by the Mcgavics and there family cemetery is also there.They had a daughter to pass away when she was a child and her ghost has been seen there and people have seen the ghost of a soldier walking the balcony on the back porch.
About 30 years ago a guy who lived in the same apartment complex had the last name of Schofield. When I asked him about he did said yes, that was my forefather leading the union troops at Franklin.. Nice guy.
Thanks for posting this video. The Battle of Franklin gets overlooked, just as you say, by the more well known battles. It is incredibly sad that Hood, in a fit of rage, broke his army in a single day by unleashing a frontal assault against a well prepared Union position. All because the Federals were able to sneak out of camp at night and steal a march undetected by Hood's pickets.
I was a reenactor at the 125th Anniversary of the Battle of Franklin in December, 1989. I was with Holmes's Brigade. All I can remember vividly was how cold it was camping out there in reproduction dog tents and straw and wool blankets.
Been to Carnton Plantation and Carter house. Was at Carter house at 150 yr Anniversary for the battle. Incredible grounds to visit. Thanks for the video, very well done. Mike.
For myself it the civil war was talked about from one of my earliest memories. My grandfather's great-grandfather was a sharpshooter and as you can imagine that young man I grew up with all the stories. All that said I have not known of the battle of Franklin until much later. I consider the Battle of Franklin to be the most Savage battle follow Western hemisphere.
Fun fact: The Lotz house and the Carter house (the epicenter of the battle) are considered to be two of the most haunted places in Tennessee. They have had many investigations and have been featured on The History Channel and the Travel Channel and numerous documentaries on UA-cam.
Terrible carnage, the civil war was brutal in every way. This was bound to happen to end the brutal ways of slavery once and for all. Great men died on both sides.
My G-G-Grandfather was at this battle. He was shot in the knee while standing Provost Duty in front of the headquarters. His leg was saved but he had problems walking. Ten years later he was driving a team of horses pulling a wagon of logs during the first week of February. The ground was frozen with ruts and the horses stumbled and the wagon lurched forward. Because of his leg he didn't have good balance and he fell from the wagon under the wheels and was crushed dying from his injuries.
The blood stains left in the wood flooring is one thing, imagine being there at the time, though. Blood would've been pouring through the seams in the floorboards and pooling up on the floor, the surgeons would've needed sand on the floor to maintain traction so they could operate. Can you imagine the smell? Burnt flesh, blood, cordite, the effluveum of dead and dying men. I'm a vet tech, I've experienced some extremely foul smells, but nothing in the level of a place like this. That room has seen unbelievable suffering and horror. I'm glad they kept the blood stained wood, as you said JD, it makes it so much more real.
I'm not a big believer in the paranormal, but if any room in America is haunted, it's this room.
Thank you for showing us this, JD.
The book "The Widow of the South" is a good read. It tells how the Carnton Mansion was used as a hospital. It was owned by one of the McGavocks. Mrs. McGavock had the fallen soldiers moved from the hastily made battlefield graves to her property right beside the mansion. Soldiers' belongings were buried with them and soldiers identified on their grave markers if possible. The cemetery was sectioned off by states. You can stand right beside that cemetery and see the graves and imagine the hard job they had to accomplish this huge undertaking. She would write the families of the fallen soldiers too so they would know where their boy was buried. It's a very interesting story. What a great thing that gentle Lady did. ❤️
Your 14 minute video is better than anything the History Channel has put out in many many years.
Not a fan of Ancient Aliens, huh? 😅
Thanks. Appreciate the kind words.
He's cool, huh?
You ought to see it in person, not just pictures and videos. I live in the area and am surrounded by History of what was done. Some of the homes like the Lotze house and antebellum homes and Churches that was here can tell the stories , the deeds of life, and death of this horrendous Battle fought by Valiant Men of both sides gift their beliefs and ideals.
Bloodiest 4 hours of the war! What a horror it was. I laid awake at night after my visit to franklin somewhere between being asleep it hit me hard. May they all rest in peace may they all not be forgotten.
I’ve lived in Franklin since 1983 and I know quite a bit about this battle but I learned even more as I watched this. My family loves this city and we’re so glad that we found it and that we are able to call it home!
Great things that they are doing to reclaim that battlefield.
The weird thing is that a place of such amazing and peacuful BEAUTY can hold such a violent history. It seems like a place where you would like to retire after a lifetime of work to enjoy all that quiet and still tranquillity.
Carnton is my absolute favorite mansion, followed by Belle Meade. The history and tragedy that surrounds Carnton is so important and fascinating for anyone wanting to learn about the Civil War
Thanks for your videos . My son was in the car and listened to a few of your episodes and it engaged conversation, which I loved . You have a great manner in which you share information , it’s interesting and for our kids that have such a short attention span the length of these videos are great!
Wow, thank you!
I visited this battlefield with my family about 18 months ago, right around Christmas time. I'm a Civil War history nut and we were going to visit Nashville but stayed in Franklin just because of this battle filed. What an awesome and well-kept battlefield. I know the trust is buying back property to put even more of the original battlefield back to its natural state (removed a Domino's Pizza, etc...). Some of the outbuildings at the Carter House are really shot up with small arms fire! I highly recommend anyone stop if you're in the area!
Completely agree. Can't wait to show more in the next few episodes.
We seen the outbuilding as well, but couldn't go inside. An amazingly sober place to visit
I lived and worked in Franklin for around 5 year's. It is a very special place. And very great people. 👍❤
Yes Carter house and outbuildings were very cool to see
Love Franklin and it’s Civil War history.
I traveled to Franklin on numerous occasions for work. I spent some time studying the Battle of Franklin. The Mansion was closed because it was after hours. We did spend hours at the cemetery on the grounds. I can not imagen digging the dead up after months in the ground to give them a proper burial. The cemetery is amazing. The whole situation is documented in a book called the Widow of the south. Good read. I'd like to go back and spend a few days in Franklin, it's beautiful
As a traveler who also loves history...you have placed another battlefield on my map. I recently drove across the US from Washington to Massachusetts, and I had to stop at Little Bighorn (for the second time). In a week, I'll be off south heading to Gettysburg (for the ?? time). I hope someday to cross paths! Keep exploring, keep teaching!
I’m a groundskeeper at a historic national memorial in VA, and I love history. Seeing those blood stains is quite incredible, and it’s amazing the building hasn’t been burned down as many were including where I am.
Only found this channel like 2 days ago. Honestly already one of my favourites. You're really good at this!
kieran182 - Awesome! So glad that you are enjoying it.
All of his vids are crazy good, you have a lot to watch😃
@@vipergtsmre Yeah man, I went through the D-day locations yesterday, also the Bastogne episode. So good! 😀
I just now ran onto this. Good video. I visited the Franklin battlefield many years ago and saw the Carter House mentioned in the next video. I also remember a tour guide talking about a tourist had visited some of the civil war battlefields and asked "How did they have a battle there with all the monuments around?" . Cleburne, Texas is named after Patrick Cleburne, who was killed at the battle of Franklin.
Amazing work!! My great-grandfather was wounded at the Battle of Franklin. He recovered and lived to old age. He spent his last days in the Old Soldier's Home that was set up at Beauvoir in Biloxi MS. That would be an interesting place to add to your list.
My 3rd cousin, John Lanier, 29th GA, was killed at Franklin and is buried in the Confederate Cemetery there. I salute their service.
Having been to Carnton twice, I can concur that it an awesome place with much history. One of those bloodstains in the old nursery is a footprint of the lady of the house who helped the surgeons. I have put my foot on that stain and it was definitely eerie. There is also a family cemetery there with an adjacent cemetery for the soldiers who died. The lady searched each man's clothing to try to identify them and her notebook is still there at the house. It was a very moving experience for me both times.
Fantastic series on the American civil war so fascinating for a British person who knew nothing of the brave men and women fighting in the war a must watch series for all history buffs like me .The house is one of the most beautiful I’ve ever seen
I just sat down to watch some videos. This is about the sixth one of yours that I've watched this evening. Your sensitivity, narration and insights are the same as those I've felt in places that as a soldier, I've been to. Thank you for your wonderful work.
Thanks! I really appreciate that. Glad that they are connecting on some level.
I was privileged enough to visit several battlefields and plantations several years ago with my best friend. Franklin was one of them and it is an amazing place and something you have to see in person to get the whole fascinating, horrific, tragic effect. I love Tennessee!
Nashville native here and Franklin is such a cool town!! It is by far one of the most beautiful and charming towns in the South. And Carnton Plantation is a must see!! Carrie McGavock was an amazing person. Not only was her house used to treat those confederate soldiers wounded. She also had so many be buried in her cemetery on the grounds. She worked tirelessly to keep precise records of who is buried where. That way family could come visit and/or recover their loved ones. Hundreds (maybe 1000+) tombstones still there and book of records available with names of those known. So relatives can still come and pay their respects. Not an easy task. To be such a horrible battle, the grounds are so beautiful and peaceful.
And in the actual town of Franklin, the older homes are breathtaking. Little shops, town square, old movie theater, historic churches, cemetery, etc. You cen spend an entire day there easily. Very well preserved place that takes you back in time.
Interesting fact- After battle, way more dead people than live ones in the town. Deceased soldiers, from both sides, all around. So townspeople were in charge of the task of burying them. And basically all that were there were old men, women and children. But they did it. Strong and proud town still to this day. Was just there and love it!!!
It is inexcusable that the memory of the men who fought, bled and died in the Civil War, the War Against The South, is attempting to be erased. They earned their place in the history of our great country and will always be remembered, no matter how many statues are defaced and books are banned and burned.
The Democrats don't want to acknowledge their past...
read 1984 by George Orwell.
@@concerned1313 Thank you for the tip. However, I read it in the late 1950's.
@@macmcatee611 I read it again, and see it as almost a playbook now!
Exactly Right!
This place is really cool I enjoyed my time there. all the people there doing the tours were wonderful... Loved seeing how many people fought and died there - Walking through Carnton was Amazing...
Gen John Bell Hood was my 5th great uncle. On my bucket list to visit this place
Wow......just wow..I cannot comprehend all the chaos in such a small space.
Going from reading Sam Watkins' first hand account of these battles then finding them on your amazing channel is incredible. You're doing God's work. Keep it up.
Your series beats anything on TV. Thanks for sharing your travels and documenting.
Wow, thanks!
Thank you for your video about my adult home town. I have lived here for about 30 years and have visited Carnton and other sites in the area many times. While I am far from a historian, I have read about the battle and know its general flow. First off, keep in mind that this is in the November - December timeline and our weather is not the greatest at that time of the year. The actual battle occurred later in the afternoon and progressed into the evening. The duration was not that long but the carnage was great. If I remember one of the statistics, it was the bloodiest hour of the war. Another comment is that the main thrust of the Confederate advance was along Columbia Pike which is today's US31. Carnton was on the periphery of the battle (hence "Eastern Flank") and was important as its role being one of the hospitals. It was a tragic loss for the small Southern town of Franklin and for many years, it was not publicized. As the town grew into the 20th century, much of the land south of downtown was developed and the battlefield was lost. The group that is handling the rebirth has done much of this work in the past 20 years. When I moved to Franklin in 1990, the Carnton estate was a golf course, the area around the Cotton Gin site had a small shopping center and a Pizza Hut. The Carter House, Carnton, Fort Granger (location of the Union artillery) and the observation point along 31 south of town were all there but were minor attractions. I subscribed to your channel tonight and look forward to more videos on the subject.
I live in indiana and rarely get to travel outside of the state except for work on michigan. Thank you so much for showing me parts of our country which i unfortunately can not travel to yet. THANK YOU. You do such a good job 🇺🇸🇺🇸
Charles Biddle - My pleasure! Thank you 🙏🏼
My Mom Is Ruth Ann (Biddle) Peetz, From Sunman, Ind... I Wonder If You Are Related ???
I am thrilled to see this video. I’m a Franklin native, now living in Florida, and miss my town and its history so much. I frequented the tours at the Lotz, Carter, and Carnton as well as the walking tours (went at least once a week). Thank you for posting the series of Franklin videos as well as the Andersonville videos (my ancestor is buried at Andersonville/Camp Sumter). It helps me feel like I have a piece of home with me in Florida.
Great video!! Battle of Franklin was an incredibly bloody affair and fascinating one to learn about. I actually had the privilege of reenacting on the Spring Hill battlefield itself. One of my friends found a Spencer rifle round in the ground as we were in the area where union cavalry was skirmishing the Confederates. Very cool campaign.
Wow!
Living in Franklin and seeing these sites is certainly something. The Battle of Franklin is underrated and you give it justice.
Thank you! And I agree that it is completely underrated. I was blown away by the whole place.
This was very errie, and brought such realism to the War all of these years later. Thank you for taking us here and explaining things, and THANK YOU for not slanting it one way or another. So many of the video's I've watched the videographer or tour guide throws his own attitudes towards one side or the other, and I didn't see this occur at all with you and I thank you!
Another place to check out is Lexington Mo. Battle of the hemp bales. House on property was used as a hospital still can see bullet holes and small cannon balls in the structure is now a museum and has battle field near by next to missouri river.
On the list. Thanks!
The carter story is one of the most eerie stories of the war.
That, along with the story of James McPherson
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_B._McPherson
Annnd guess what I shall do now. It maybe involves looking up Carter and James McPherson (thank you for the link!) :P
My husband wanted to know where I wanted to go for our anniversary in June. I said Franklin TN! We already have our reservation made! We’re so excited to visit Carnton and the battlefield and the home next door. We’re also planning to visit Andrew Jackson’s home. I read a book on Carnton and loved it, but when my husband and I watched your videos we knew it was going on our bucket list. Thank you for making history come alive for us! I would love to be a student in your class!
That is awesome! Thanks. Be sure to tell them that I said hello when you visit.
@@TheHistoryUnderground we sure will!
Thank u so much for the videos u make to keep our beloved Civil War History alive! My Confederate Ancestor fought at this battle
Eric’s book on the battle is one of my favorite history books. He really conveyed the desperation of the attack
Carter house and in particular the fighting around the cotton gin is some of the most intense and violent fighting of the whole war, IMHO. Can’t wait to see what you have for the carter house!
I know! Makes me wonder why it hasn’t been given more attention.
Your work is amazing. Do not stop
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I'm a history buff especially about the civil war and your videos are just great, this war was awful on both sides, and God bless them all and May they all rest in peace
The Belle Meade Plantation also was used as a field hospital during the Civil War. The floors contain blood stains too. The stately columns in the front of the house also contain musket ball marks.
I'll have to check that place out. Thanks!
@@TheHistoryUnderground you are welcome.
If you aren't at least somewhat interested better yet fascinated by stuff like this we probably can't be friends.
Wow what an amazing place to visit and virtually left to your own devices. It certainly was a bloody battle 9500 dead and injured in just a few hours including several generals killed and also the future WW2 general MacArthurs father badly injured.
Thank you JD for your passion for history and all of your hard work in making your fab videos and keeping history alive.
Thanks so much. I actually touch on Arthur MacArthur's story in the next video.
This is what I've been looking for! Your video really helps me understand a battle not just as movements on a map, but as actions within a geographical space. I think that the drone shots spliced with shots of you on the ground really do the trick.
Glad it helped! I enjoyed putting this one together.
God bless you for educating us about our heritage.
As a Tennessee native, Franklin is terribly underrepresented even within the State. It's barely covered in Tennessee-centric college history courses, and when I went to the battlefield as a kid in the '90s there was hardly anything there compared to Shiloh.
Thanks for the video. I have played more than a few weddings at the Carntan house sitting underneath the massive oak tree in the yard. It is a heavy place for sure.
Very much so. Pretty amazing place. That nursery upstairs had me slack jawed.
Ive been here before. The blood stained floor just put you at a loss for words. It was fascinating to see. The gardens were beautiful. The slave houses were interesting to see. They definitely carry a negative energy you can feel.
Outstanding episode. I visited there once. On the worst part of the battlefield at the time of my visit was a Dominoes Pizza place. In OCS, I was made to memorize “ Schofields Definition of Discipline “ Memories of Ft. Benning!
Very Well Done Youg Man..God Bless You For Showing and Telling Our American History..Stay Safe..
Thanks! Gotta keep the history alive 🙂
My 2nd great-grandfather was captured Christmas Day 1864 after the battle retreating from Franklin. Stupendous video; thanks!!
I just found you guys...my dad is a Civil War history buff, so I told him about this UA-cam...thanks
Watching this from Australia. Really enjoying your work and love to visit these places in the future. Great stuff.
Glad you like them!
Come and visit Tennessee! I live in Franklin. You will be treated to southern hospitality 😊
God bless you guys from here in the U.S. I heard that you poor souls are on strict COVID lockdowns by an out-of-control government. Our hearts and prayers are going out to you. Meanwhile, I'm listening to K.C. sing. She definitely had that rose silk voice that makes everyone's day; a perfect remedy for our COVID blues. 😎
The carter house really opened my eyes to the battle of Franklin the bullet holes, and the tour guides explanation of how the dead became piled so high that men were dead standing up couldn’t imagine the carnage.
I know. Pretty jaw dropping. Can't wait to show that spot in the next few episodes.
I just stumbled on to your videos of Franklin---excellent camera work, excellent narrative---thank you for taking the time to film, edit and upload. Its unimaginable to think Tod survived that bullet wound.
Thanks! He actually ended up dying from his wounds. Pretty tragic story.
We were there in September (2023). Visited Carnton and the Carter House. Fascinating and very sobering history here.
What an incredible video of a much forgotten and little known huge piece of Civil War history! Great job with the video!
Great great episode! The blood stains on the floor gave me chills!
Thanks! Yeah, that room was pretty heavy.
@@TheHistoryUnderground I thought I remember the blood stains having an outline of a boot and that there was a doctor who would put his hand behind his back as he was operating and the blood would drop behind him and leave the impression.
Ditto !
damn those bloodstains just really makes you think, its hard to believe no words can explain it.
Kind of how I felt. I wasn't expecting that at all when I went in.
@@TheHistoryUnderground Next time you are in Normandy, go see the church pews in Angoville-au-Plain.
royda60 - Ugh. It hurts me that I didn’t go see that on the last trip.
The blood of the brave confederates you are on hallowed ground. I like to think that either side north or south did not die in vain. They both sides were brave, true to their cause, and fought the fight holding on to their cause and beliefs.
Franklin is one of those places where you see the importance of battlefield preservation.. The battlefield is almost lost forever.. But the rest will be saved by the battlefield trust. Thank god!!
I'm glad you are showcasing Franklin. A lot of the battlefield was lost to modern development unfortunately.
The Battle of Franklin Trust is doing an amazing work to reclaim it though. I'll show some more on that in the next video.
Believe it or not but Franklin's battlefield is actually in better shape than it was thirty years ago.
@@lordtazzman3140 Yep, I know. They have saved some land and knocked some things down recently. But overall, a lot of it is still built over.
Just returned from this tour on November 2022, This is truly a forgotten part of the battle their in Franklin.
I love that battlefield and the battlefield right down the road at Stones River. Leading all the way down to Chattanooga.
Wish I could’ve hit more of those sites while I was down there. Unfortunately, work and the real world beckoned.
The History Underground I totally understand, they are neat sites in Tennessee leading down to Chickamagua. Thank you for your good work on the films, makes me feel connected to my great grandparents who fought on both sides.
When you went upstairs I started to cry.
Interesting. Need to visit there. My Great Grand Father (AL36 inf, Co. I) fought there with Hood before being captured at Overton’s Hill South of Nashville.
Oh man. Well I’d say that you definitely need to visit then.
Jacobson thinks your great grandfather is a "traitor".
Im glad he got captured, wish he got executed
@@TerrellThomas1971 I bet you're a descendant of Lethia Thomas of Bracken County, Kentucky.
@@clinthathcock6078 um no
A very impactful video. That house holds such dark history. It is hard to imagine all that trauma going on in those rooms . Fascinating as usual. Thankyou History Underground ☺☺
Thanks! The guy who showed me around that house (Tony) did a great job of painting a picture of what went on there. His depth of knowledge was incredible.
Nashville/Franklin native here who’s lived here my whole life and studied the battle of Franklin. A few interesting notes to take from this is how the battle of Franklin essentially was what cost the confederacy the war. If Hood wouldn’t have stalled at Rippavilla in Spring Hill and attacked, the Union wouldn’t have been able to advance to set up at Franklin. Know as one of, if not the worst mistakes of the entire civil war. He basically let them slip away in the night only to be annihilated the next day. And about Carnton, the McGavock family who was living there and woke up November 30th to their house being the epicenter of the battle, what they did was incredible. John and Carrie McGavock tended to all the soldiers there. Carrie took and ripped all her sheets and clothing in the house to use as bandages for the wounded. She spend all her time tending to those boys to the point her entire gown was completely soaked with blood for days. The children Hattie (9) and Windor (7) also helped by bringing soldiers water and bandages. The McGavocks assisted in burying all the dead. Two years later, John donated 2 acres of his property to be an actual confederate cemetery. He had all the bodies exhumed and buried properly which can still be visited today. Oh and lastly. This was in fact the 5 bloodiest hours of the entire civil war. The casualty rate was not as high as many other battles. But in only a few hours time during twilight, in intense hand to hand combat, more blood was shed in that span of time comparatively than to any other battle of the entire civil war.
Just visited this place today!! Great tour and highly recommend
I've been to quite a few battlefields but have never been to Franklin. Good presentation. I'll be visiting.
I remember stopping there on a whim/motorcycle ride. It was absolutely humbling experience.
The tours given at the house are excellent
Completely agree. I learned a lot.
Good story.
It's a shame that the haters and fools all want to erase and tear down our history. After the statues what's next for them.
It's history. God bless America.
Well, we're doing our best to keep the history alive on this channel :)
One of my sons is an American Historian so I will alert him to your channel. Glad I found your offerings. Thanks!
Please do! Thanks!
I went to the Bentonville Battlefield in North Carolina and in a two-story farmhouse/ field Hospital they told me they we're amputating limbs and throwing them out of the first floor windows. They did so many that they stacked up high enough to fall back through the windows. I have been in many old farm houses but this one did not smell right. It was creepy but very satisfying and I enjoyed the visit to the battlefield immensely.
Oh shoot. I might have to try and check that place out. Thanks for the heads up!
I am a “history troll” of sorts on UA-cam. You do some really great content and videos. Not sure how long you have been doing them but deserve waaay more than 50k subs. You now have 50,001 sir. Keep it up!
Ha! Thank you. I started posting videos about a year ago. I figure that people are interested and I earn it, then the subs will come. Thank you for the kind word.
Toured the battlefield and Carter House and plantation structures last week. The most intense fighting occurred around the Cotton Gin (short for engine) where the Union battery was stationed and where the short lived Confederate breakthrough occurred.
Living a Dream Life - Gonna be hurting that site in the next video. Pretty amazing place!
I grew up in the 1950's, mostly at 540 Edwin Ave (now Edwin St.), just off of Gallatin Road. Our house was situated on the edge of a large forest. From satellite imagery I can see much of the forest is still there. This is a very high hill from the surrounding terrain. On the very top of the hill were what looked like some trench fortifications made of stone. I was told that minie ball and cannonballs were found in this area. We spent many an hour playing on this site as children. As a child part of the forest was bull dozed to install a water tank. The forest was bounded on the east by the L & N railroad tracks and via duct.
Interesting!
Thank you for sharing your research
My GG Grandfather fought at Franklin. He described the fighting around the Carter farm in a letter my cousin has. Brutal.
The history in that area is amazing. Nashville was originally called Fort Nashborough. They have a replica in downtown Nashville right along the river where they hold big country music concerts now. Lovely, lovely area of our country 🇺🇸❤️
Thanks for the info!
Love your postings! Keep it up
My grandfather's uncle was killed at the battle of Franklin. I have a book about the battle called "The Widow of the South". It is very detailed. It is about the lady who lived there. The battle was fought partly on her property. And it was her house they used for the hospital.
Oh wow. Thanks for sharing that!
JD, recommended reading for you. The Widow of the South. Talks about Carrie McGavok, the woman that was married to the man who owned Carnton also, Company Atch by Sam Watkins, a Confederate soldier in the Western campaign who was there. Also, if I recall there were six Confederate generals killed in that battle. One, quite famous, was Patrick Cleburne, who emigrated from Ireland and lived in Arkansas. I'm so glad the Battlefield Trust got that battlefield back. When I was there, the only thing you could visit was the Carter House and Carnton. I only was able to visit the Carter home, which is quite the experience itself. Oh the drama. Yes, I'm a Civil War buff. My library is full of books. Lol. Ask me anything. Did you know , for instance, the soldiers under Hood that survived claimed Hood made those charges as punishment for Spring Hill?
Karin - Thanks! Appreciate the recommendations and extra info. It’s quite the place.
Since you claim to know a lot about the Carnton home, perhaps you can help me out with a question I had after watching the video. Since hte Carnton home served as a make-shift hospital for so long, did the family that originally lived there move out of the house? If so, where did they go? Thanks for your response!
I also highly recommend The Widow of the South.
My home town.There is a Confederate cemetery on the grounds of the Carnton mansion.It was owned by the Mcgavics and there family cemetery is also there.They had a daughter to pass away when she was a child and her ghost has been seen there and people have seen the ghost of a soldier walking the balcony on the back porch.
Yes, I actually circle back around to that cemetery in the next episode. Quite the place.
Thanks for the info on The battle of Franklin. I agree most Civil War history forgets the battles here in middle Tennessee
No problem! Glad that I could go there and capture some content. I may try and hit a few more of these lesser known battles.
About 30 years ago a guy who lived in the same apartment complex had the last name of Schofield. When I asked him about he did said yes, that was my forefather leading the union troops at Franklin.. Nice guy.
Thanks for posting this video. The Battle of Franklin gets overlooked, just as you say, by the more well known battles. It is incredibly sad that Hood, in a fit of rage, broke his army in a single day by unleashing a frontal assault against a well prepared Union position. All because the Federals were able to sneak out of camp at night and steal a march undetected by Hood's pickets.
Glad that you enjoyed it. I've got some more fascinating stuff on Hood coming up in future videos.
I was a reenactor at the 125th Anniversary of the Battle of Franklin in December, 1989. I was with Holmes's Brigade. All I can remember vividly was how cold it was camping out there in reproduction dog tents and straw and wool blankets.
Interesting!
Fascinating historic site. Thanks for sharing!
Erikb - Thanks! Glad to share it out!
Been to Carnton Plantation and Carter house. Was at Carter house at 150 yr Anniversary for the battle. Incredible grounds to visit. Thanks for the video, very well done. Mike.
Thanks! Yes, I was really impressed. Highly recommend that everyone go if they get a chance.
For myself it the civil war was talked about from one of my earliest memories. My grandfather's great-grandfather was a sharpshooter and as you can imagine that young man I grew up with all the stories. All that said I have not known of the battle of Franklin until much later. I consider the Battle of Franklin to be the most Savage battle follow Western hemisphere.
Wonderful Video. Also, Humility is a gift from the Lord. Thanks.
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Thank you for making these. I love your content.
Absolutely love all of your history videos. Thanks for continuing to take your time to share all of these!
Thanks for watching! Glad that you are enjoying them.
Great video. Thank you for the coverage.
Thanks for watching!
Fun fact: The Lotz house and the Carter house (the epicenter of the battle) are considered to be two of the most haunted places in Tennessee. They have had many investigations and have been featured on The History Channel and the Travel Channel and numerous documentaries on UA-cam.
Terrible carnage, the civil war was brutal in every way. This was bound to happen to end the brutal ways of slavery once and for all. Great men died on both sides.
Amazing video, thanks for doing this important work. God bless the memories of the brave men on both sides!
Our pleasure! They're doing some amazing stuff there in Franklin.
My G-G-Grandfather was at this battle. He was shot in the knee while standing Provost Duty in front of the headquarters. His leg was saved but he had problems walking. Ten years later he was driving a team of horses pulling a wagon of logs during the first week of February. The ground was frozen with ruts and the horses stumbled and the wagon lurched forward. Because of his leg he didn't have good balance and he fell from the wagon under the wheels and was crushed dying from his injuries.