By the request of many of our viewers, we have added narration to our already existing original set of battle maps. We appreciate your support and hope you enjoy the update! For our more modern animated maps, please visit the top of our Animated Battle Maps playlist ruclips.net/p/PLZrhqv_T1O1sdxRNm5SNc6cGSWr7xiWZs.
I've never found anything as easy to understand and as enlightening as these animated battle videos. They really are the best way to show what really happened.
I grew up in Williamson county(haven’t heard that name in a while thanks for the nostalgia lol) but visiting the Franklin battle site made me a history buff forever
My second great grandfather fought there as well. He was with the 33d Alabama Inf. under Cleburne. He was captured there and sent to Camp Douglas where he nearly froze to death. When released he had to make his way back to southern Alabama.
I’m not sure why nobody ever mentions Hood’s charge at Franklin when it comes to pure loss of human life, it was twice as bad as Pickett’s charge at Gettysburg, but Franklin came later in the war and didn’t have that military aura that Gettysburg had.
the South always relied on "one hit kill" type victories with swooping movements and confused federals losing their cohesion and running. When confronted with well drilled, nigh impenetrable defenses the Confederates often broke themselves and never really competed in any battle of attrition. This is only one of many battles where the Confeds come unstuck against men in trenches.
@@SantomPh You might want to look to Virginia in 1864 to see how this exact style of fighting worked out for the Union side as well. Of course, the Union had the men to sacrifice and keep moving forward after a slaughter. Hood was out of his mind at Franklin. He wasted a lot of fine men there.
@@wadehampton1737 Hood was absolutely out of his skull at Franklin, you are so right…..and Grant wasting his men at the slaughters that were the Overland and Petersburg campaigns were horrible, but the Union armies incurred many more casualties on the Confederate forces during this time and as as your point states, Grant and the Union had the men and material to waste, the South did not.
My g-grandfather Marquis D. L. Price was in the 17th/18th Texas Cavalry (dismounted), Granbury's Brigade, Cleburne's Division. He was one of Cleburne's Sharpshooters and right in the middle of the front line of the Franklin attack, within just a few yards of both Cleburne and Granbury when they fell. He later described to my grandmother how when they were pinned in front of the Union barricades, a couple of fellow soldiers loaded rifles for him and he would quickly stand up and fire across. I can't imagine how he survived.
@@marvelhero3795 - So was I ... BUT THAT WAS NOT MY POINT! I was only describing what he experienced ... and he went through a LOT more than that. I also had a g-g- grandfather who fought for the Union and was wounded at the Battle of Pea Ridge ... where his brother was killed right by his side.
Very honored to have visited this ground. It's a sobering and hallowed feeling to see the bullet holes in the facade of the Carter House and to stand in the front yard where the great hand to hand clash took place. More people need to know about this horrific battle.
Since moving to Tennessee, I've been learning a lot more about the Western theater of the Civil War. I'd never even heard of the Battle of Franklin before, and this animation and narration provides a clear and concise overview of a brutal battle.
Another show called the Franklin/Nashville campaign the last gasp of the Confederacy. I think that description fits. General Grant had done what multiple Union Commanders had failed to do which was to Take Robert E. Lee and the Army of Northern Virginia out of the war since they were trapped at Petersburg. Hood's army was the last Confederate Army with freedom of movement. His army was wrecked at Franklin.
I lived in Franklin, TN for a few years. Knew nothing of this epic battle before moving there. Franklin is buying up the land to preserve the battlefield and I hope they succeed. This is too significant a battle to not have a greater collective awareness of.
Hood at Gettysburg: "This assault is ridiculous. PLEASE let me move around them." Hood at Franklin: "I shall die historic on the Fury Road! WITNESS ME BROTHER!!!!!"
@@StonewallTitlow - I'm not wont to feel sympathy for Confed generals, but poor Hood! ROBBED of chance to FLANK the Union left at Gettysburg by Longstreet's petulance (vs Lee's orders).... Had it not been for Union MASTERY of defensive entrenchments, this battle could have been a great Confed victory. Why does no one point out that FRANKLIN was the Confederate armies' COLD HARBOR? At Cold Harbor, Grant gave Lee's rebels 24 hrs to improve their lines - and it cost 5,000 Union soldiers. Here, same thing in reverse - Hood should have pressed the attack the night before, and of course ALLOWING Schofield's troops to march at night back in to Union lines - RIGHT PAST HOOD's SLEEPING army - was a fatal mistake.
Hood knew he had no chance of winning, he eventually sent all they had for one final go to see if they could break through, he was quoted in Atlanta saying odds are against us but I will roll the dice and gamble with the gods of war. This battle ultimately destroyed the army on the west, some say he did it to put an end to the war
My G-Great Uncle, Charles Rufus Ellis, was a Pvt in the 57th Indiana, Lane's Brigade, Wagner's Division. He survived the war and rests in Yellow Springs, Ohio.
Have you contacted Eric Jacobson of the Battle of Franklin Trust about your Ancestors story. He is always looking for first hand accounts or artifacts about the battle.
Have you contacted Eric Jacobson of the Battle of Franklin Trust about your Ancestors story. He is always looking for first hand accounts or artifacts about the battle.
My GGG-uncle died here. He was a 2nd Lieutenant in the 7th Mississippi Battalion Infantry who I believe was ultimately under the control of General A.P. Stewart as mentioned and shown in the video on the right side advance.
Greatly enjoy (and appreciate) all of these, but this one is kind of special since I live in Granbury. Seeing Hood, Granbury, and Cleburne all on the map really brings some of the history - quite literally - home.
I live close to Cleburne in Burleson and am actually a relative of General Hood. It’s interesting to see the different engagements Hood was in, both good and bad.
My gg grandfather was at Franklin in the Union Army. He had moved down by riding the train on flat cars. He described to my grandmother sitting on the side of the flat car looking at a river.
Have you contacted Eric Jacobson of the Battle of Franklin Trust about your Ancestors story. He is always looking for first hand accounts or artifacts about the battle.
“We were lavish of blood in those days, and it was thought to be a great thing to charge a battery of artillery or an earthwork lined with infantry.” D.H. Hill.
Colonel Opdycke charged into the battle firing his pistol. When he ran out of ammo, he started clubbing Confederates with the grip until it broke. Then he picked up a musket and used that.
This battle really shows the difference in man power between the armies 7k Confederate losses to 2.5k union losses was essentially destroying the army of Tennessee and yet in battles like Cold Harbor and Fredericksburg with 13k+ casualties for the union and less than 5k casualties in either battle for the Confederates and the federal army shakes it off gets more reinforcements and continues moving. Its crazy to think how long the Confederates held out against odds like that.
Just goes to show - there is a difference between being brave and being fool hearty. No one could ever accuse "The Gallant Hood From Texas" of not being brave! However, he was not a particularly effective commander. One of George Wasshington's greatest strategies was to keep his army intact and not let it be destroyed by the enemy.
My Confederate Ancestor Pvt Thomas Lawrence McAbee Co H 16th South Carolina Infantry fought at this battle under Brig. Gen. States Rights Gists at this battle and was joined up with the Army of Tennessee under Gen. John Bell Hood!
Have reviewed a few of the American Battlefield Trust presentations on the Battle of Franklin and two from History Traveler. I absolutely enjoy any well-done animated battle maps and this view has been an excellent culmination of all viewings on Franklin. Thanks. I surely enjoyed. I believe had Hood won and routed the Union Troops, this could have been a "Game Changer" to affect the final outcome of the war. Possibly, the favorable terms that the South was desiring. Surely, this would have continued the Civil War and played into favoring the South. Some forgotten history that needs to be told and surely preserved. Despite what some may believe today. A history buff from Massachusetts. Again, Thanks.
"Realizing the futility of attacking an entreched Federal army in Atlanta, Confederate general John Bell Hood..." ...proceeded to attack an entrenched Federal army in another town.
Hood was one of the worst mistakes in the CSA, if Jonhston would be in charge, Atlanta probably would fall much longer the elections and Lincoln would lost the elections against McClellan.
How was i suposed to know id be one of the 100 first to click this video. I wanna see it as soon as it comes out. This channel has singelhandedly made the amarican revolution my biggest interest after the napolionic wars. Thank you for uploading such quality content friends! Cheers from sweden
At 7:35 there is a historical inaccuracy. Arthur McArthur Sr. was grandfather to Douglas McArthur, not father. For Sr to have been his father Douglas would have had to have been 75+ during the Second World War, an âge at which he wouldn’t have been able to trek across the South Pacific.
Douglas MacArthur was born in 1880. Arthur MacArthur Jr. (born 1845) was the father of Douglas MacArthur. Arthur Jr. was called the Boy Colonel. He did actually fight at Franklin. He received the Medal of Honor for his valor at Missionary Ridge. Pretty amazing military father and son.
My ancestor (cousin) fought here and other battles. He survived the battles but was wounded. His name was Private. Young A Taylor. I recently found where he is buried near Fayetteville TN. His grave is on a small hill many miles from civilization in the middle of woods and fields. When I found his grave, I used a paranormal hunting device to capture EVP's and I sat beside his grave. While using this device, I informed him that I was his cousin and that I knew he served in the civil war. I, then asked him what was his name and very clearly, he replied with (Young) on my device. It sent chills down my back.
I recall recently viewing a program on the battle of Franklin hosted by a local man involved in preservation, and promotion of the history of the battle. He showed a photo of the area after the battle with a building that survived in the background. Then indicated that the building still stood and had been acquired by their local historical society. In making repairs to the building, the plaster was removed from the interior walls to reveal the original sheathing boards. They were perforated like a poka dot design with bullet holes from the battle. They surmised that after the battle the exterior clapboard siding and interior plaster had to be replaced, but the sheathing boards were not replaced as they do as they were. The society put up plexiglass on the exterior instead of clapboard siding so the visitor can see the bullet holes as they were from the battle.
This a very good representation of what happened at the Battle of Franklin. It is made clear by this animated map that Hood's poor reconnaissance work, impatience, and logistical ineptitude cost the once vaunted Army of Tennessee not only many men but also its fighting spirit. And though the Army of Tennessee did continue to fight on right into 1865, Franklin and Nashville made it quite clear that the Army of Tennessee had been actually destroyed.
@Doug Bevins Well sir, I see that you are very passionate about history and respect your opinion. I do agree that Grant's Army was the true representative of heroism, particularly for fighting against the evil practice of slavery, an abhorrent method of economics that still haunts the United States. Also, I do acknowledge that in the eyes of many, the soldiers of the Army of Tennessee and other Confederate forces were in fact traitors, a view I myself hold as to the fact that they did fight against the constitution of a nation which many of them had sworn to uphold, that of the USA. But, when I said vaunted, I was talking about the superb quality of soldiery that existed in this host, not looking at it from the White supremacist romanization of the Confederacy that has been sadly prevalent in some quarters. And, your statement about 4,000 soldiers is erroneous, as many scholars, such as Doctor James McPherson, Shelby Foote, and William Hess, contend that in fact 11,000 men were all that was left of the army and these troops, divided into two shattered corps, were the ones which did reach General Johnston.
The real tragedy is due to Lost Cause nonsense, many of the US major installations and forts are named after these bumbling traitors instead of the real heroes who saved the country.
Wow it's amazing how the Confederates lost that many generals and officers in such a short time frame. The war was probably decided by this point anyway, but that's gotta hurt losing so many generals and officers.
@Ralph Goober If it was a pure numbers game I would agree. However, morale plays a role, and there were multiple points in the timeline where the confederates could have brought the north to the table for negotiation. It never happened because of multiple factors, not the least of which was that Lincoln proved himself to be rather stubborn.
So when my grandmother was a child in Franklin, they would still find items from the battle. This would have been in the 1920’s. So these things weren’t just out in the open. But many were unearthed during her childhood. She would tell me about them finding soldier buttons, some mini balls, a wheel off a Gatling and even a couple of broken guns. She said her brother put on a ragged grey jacket they found and they pretended they were shooting each other with the pieces I guns. She had no idea what happened to these things. Because as young children, they had no idea how important to history they were. And they were probably just careless with them, tossing them wherever. But their parents should’ve known. Guess they just didn’t take them home with them. She also said that in her youth, there were still many people around that were there during the battle. And even some veterans. But for the most part, people didn’t talk about it much. It really took a huge toll on Franklin and most just wanted the memory of the devastation to fade. She went to some kind of a garden party event at Carnton Plantation in her teens. And she said seeing the many graves is when she really understood the devastation of it all. And she also understood that those items they used as toys really meant something. And that they belonged to men who lost their lives brutally. It shook her
great video--will watch it again. It really points out how Hood especially and the others that the south is so proud of the statues basically ordered suicide assaults -- cannon fodder. You would think he would be the last to make statues of
American Battlefield Trust, could y’all make a map video about Stones River? There is very little videos concerning the battle, and it was a crucial battle in the war.
Hood had the audacity to say a few years later that he left the Army of Tennessee in better shape than he found it in. I guess I can say the same thing about the people who took over my old neighborhood in the 1970s.
Hood trashed the army of the Tennessee after taking over for Johnson, he started with 45000 men. Made attacks outside the works in Atlanta and probably lost a quarter of that number, he was down to 28000 here, a 1/3 reduction and little to show for it. Then this attack and he loses another 7000, probably 10000 if you count all loses a month later, with injuries and those who headed back home. And he followed it up with 6000 more at Nashville, which also might approach 10000 when you add it all up a month later, he probably was down to 1/3 his original army. Forest was not front line but raiders and I would not add his 5000 to the army, you don't see him attacking works and having high casualties in these battles. Forest may have had as many men as Hood after Nashville, I guess supply was no longer was an issue for these 2 divisions left in Mississippi and Alabama.
My maternal great great grandfather was in the 39 Mississippi - I’m glad he made it thru Franklin safe only to be almost killed at Spanish fort by a sharpshooter. Amazing anyone made it out of Franklin. My grandfather was told stories by him about bleeding feet, shaking bones- empty stomachs- but they went on! Deo vindice. And he lost a brother at Gettysburg with the Madison artillery
My family moved to Mobile in 1973. Back then anyone who wanted to could go to Spanish Fort and pickup bullets and cannon balls from the war. My family made it an outing and my dad returned many times. As years passed my dad retired and took up fishing. He melted those dang souvenir bullets down for lead weights. I cuss myself from not stopping him from doing it. I don't think you are allowed to go collecting anymore.
There is a park ranger talk on Forrest and I guess his high water mark of the Civil War, a skirmish in Mississippi with about 500 casualties where he hounded a small union force. It seems they could have used him here, why wasn't he involved where there is real fighting going on. I can see why he survived the war, when things got hot he became an observer.
The visuals of this series are great, and I like the narration. The one thing I don't like is the background music, which sounds like stock action movie or TV music, and it's not indicative of the time and place. It's perhaps a nitpicking point, but it's something to consider for future animated battle maps. Even the music of Charles Ives, who was born nine years after the war's conclusion, would have been preferable.
Just how many chances did the South had, but for them dallying? Major damage could've been dealt at Spring Creek to Schofield's command and their supply trains. What more could the South have asked for?
Well, if McClellan had had any nerve, he could have taken Richmond easily in the Peninsular campaign. He could have split Lee's forces at Antietam just by moving his center forward, against a few hundred Confederate troops. Woulda coulda shoulda.
Your battlefield graphics are Nicely done !! Next step by others is WHY did the confederacy ever form? I'm still wondering where is their nobility in perpetuating slavery? In any age ??
Respect to all Unionist Southern soldiers. They played a significant role in this battle. Kentucky Tennessee and Missouri sent soldiers here. It may be North Georgia Unionists fought here among the Tennessee Unionists regiments. The 44th Missouri regiment, coming from the Iowa borderstripe counties, played a key role in the battle.
Here are two of our Franklin maps: www.battlefields.org/learn/maps/battle-franklin-map-breakthrough-region and www.battlefields.org/learn/maps/franklin-november-30-1864
Walked the ground around the Carter house where Carter was mortally wounded ,he was found among a carpet of dead by his family which had sheltered in the cellar taken from the battlefield to his home where he died among his family , in his bed .
This was towards the end of the struggle. Right as all future chance of slavery is to be outlawed with surrender. Both sides in all theaters were worn out. This was to be the last great charge by either Army.
"Cavalry" is a military unit. "Calvary" is a hill in the Middle East". Not the same. Other than that, this was quite well done; the animated maps make it much easier to understand than simply reading about it.
Hood had them outnumbered. He should have surrounded the entire town and laid loose siege to it. Instead he stupidly destroys the last of his cohesion and loses the war for Tennessee. ..
Nah, the seize won't have lasted long. Thomas had massed the Union Army numbering 30k at Nashville just 20miles from Franklin. Hood probably wanted to crush Schofield's army separately before they can join Thomas. No doubt it was foolish to charge the Union defensive work in Franklin. Hood was reckless, but his defeat was envitable. Hood made a major blunder by letting Schofield retreat to Franklin. He had a golden opportunity to crush Schofield's army when he flank Union army near columbia.
@@MrDavePed Come to think of it. Hood is outwitted by Schofield and Thomas later in the battle of Nashville. I can't believe US Army named a major army installation after this fool who fought against his nation.
In ancient war, many POWs changed sides and fought valiantly. They knew war needed no moral basis then, it was just the way of power. It is still that way, but now each soldier must see himself a savior for a moral cause, not just a skilled killer.
The difference: the South couldn't afford to lose anything or anyone at this point. There's no replacement rate and resources are stretched mighty thin. In five months, they'd throw in the towel.
Apparently my great, great, great grandpa was in Co. M of the 8th Michigan Cavalry during this battle. He had been "lucky" enough to be bed ridden with typhoid during the 8th Cavalry's I'll fated raid on Macon earlier in the summer of 1864. But he was back in service during thai battle. Kinda wild to see all this.
Have you contacted Eric Jacobson of the Battle of Franklin Trust about your Ancestors story. He is always looking for first hand accounts or artifacts about the battle.
Hood shouldn’t have played into unions fish hook especially putting troops infront of orchard trees. Should have marched northwest and around Franklin then smash east . But what gets me is how Union marched right past them in middle of night
I have 2 ancestors that fought for NC. One fought with the 50th NC Infantry and the other was with the 10th NC Heavy Artillery. Im half asian and Im proud of my southern roots
I have a Great Uncle, Pvt Charles Rufus Ellis of Dayton, Ohio, who served with the 57th Indiana Infantry in Lane's Brigade, under Wagner, at Franklin. From the presentation, the 57th must have broke and retreated to the rear and did not participate further in the battle.
Great-great grandfather Oliver was part of the 33rd Mississippi. He survived the battle of Franklin. When asked why he fought in the war he said, “They were down here.”
that hood was mad man sending major generals in at the front of the assault losing that many generals has to have an effect especially top class men like cleburne
All those generals who fell went to the attack voluntarily ... they were real leaders. Cleburne knew when he got his orders that the battle would be a bloody disaster, and made this statement .."If we are to die, let us die like men."
@@charlestemple634 that is what i would expect from men from cork fighting men we are not called the rebel county for nothing we play football and we use the confederate battle flag at games
Wow this is really good. I used to love the maps in old national geographic mags. But this is much better. By weight of fire and numbers Rebs should have easily won, but attacking fortifications uphill over open ground gives defense the advantage. Even if defence out numbered. You would have thought they would have learned from Picketts charge at Gettysburg. Rebs lost a lot of Generals that day. Fantastic for history buffs.
It was a horrible war, and I am glad the North won to stop the evil of slavery, but I can't help but feel admiration for the men on both sides, Union and Confederate. If courage were golden they would be richer than kings.
This battle effectively destroyed the Confederate Army of the Tennessee and further quicked the end of the war. I dont know what Hood was thinking in this campaign but good thing he made these mistakes. Victory for the Union and the United States.
I think there were two camps as far as tactics. One group decided attack and keep attacking until your enemy was defeated. You have another camp like Longstreet who wanted to fight but only if the land and his defense was to his favor. Hood didn't always think things out, but he was known as a brave soldier.
Larry Gonzalez well it ain’t that simple he would have to face the greatest threat to an army other then the weather:political pressure. if he had done that then he surely would have been replaced. After all that was more or less Johnston’s strategy. Just with less retreating even if he had done that he would have lost and badly the army of Tennessee was just to outnumbered and out equipped to stand against the federal force. If only Johnston wasn’t replaced things definitely would have been interesting.
What a leader the Confederacy had in General John Bell Hood; a one arm one leg morphine using confederate Lt. General. On July 20, 1864 in his first engagement as the AoT commanding general Hood looses to George Thomas at the battle of Peach Tree Creek. Then not quite five months later between December 15-16, 1864, Hood looses again to George Thomas at the battle of Nashville. And THEN Hood, after having his ENTIRE army eliminated as an effective force, asks to be relieved of command on January 23. 1965. Makes you think that Hood was, second only to maybe Leonidas Polk, one of the best Union assets in the entire confederate high command
It seems incredible that given the high production values of this presentation, the narrator insists on mispronouncing `cavalry'. `Cavalry' are mounted soldiers. Calvary is the hill on which Christ was executed.
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By the request of many of our viewers, we have added narration to our already existing original set of battle maps. We appreciate your support and hope you enjoy the update! For our more modern animated maps, please visit the top of our Animated Battle Maps playlist ruclips.net/p/PLZrhqv_T1O1sdxRNm5SNc6cGSWr7xiWZs.
The word is "cavalry", Jesus Christ was crucified on "Calvary"!
American Battlefield Truwe THANK YOU! I appreciate all your hard work!
Do a battle map of the battle of stones river
Please do one on Perryville!
I've never found anything as easy to understand and as enlightening as these animated battle videos. They really are the best way to show what really happened.
True
My great great grandfather fought in Franklin about 10 miles from his home. Our blood line is still here in Williamson county
I grew up in Williamson county(haven’t heard that name in a while thanks for the nostalgia lol) but visiting the Franklin battle site made me a history buff forever
My second great grandfather fought there as well. He was with the 33d Alabama Inf. under Cleburne. He was captured there and sent to Camp Douglas where he nearly froze to death. When released he had to make his way back to southern Alabama.
@roguenugget242 it's incredible. There's a 10 mile hike our Scouts did that passes thru all the Civil War spots in Franklin.
I’m not sure why nobody ever mentions Hood’s charge at Franklin when it comes to pure loss of human life, it was twice as bad as Pickett’s charge at Gettysburg, but Franklin came later in the war and didn’t have that military aura that Gettysburg had.
Seeing how the South had far fewer men to draw from compared to the North, to lose 7k over their 2.5k is quite the disaster
The number of generals too
the South always relied on "one hit kill" type victories with swooping movements and confused federals losing their cohesion and running. When confronted with well drilled, nigh impenetrable defenses the Confederates often broke themselves and never really competed in any battle of attrition. This is only one of many battles where the Confeds come unstuck against men in trenches.
@@SantomPh You might want to look to Virginia in 1864 to see how this exact style of fighting worked out for the Union side as well. Of course, the Union had the men to sacrifice and keep moving forward after a slaughter. Hood was out of his mind at Franklin. He wasted a lot of fine men there.
@@wadehampton1737 Hood was absolutely out of his skull at Franklin, you are so right…..and Grant wasting his men at the slaughters that were the Overland and Petersburg campaigns were horrible, but the Union armies incurred many more casualties on the Confederate forces during this time and as as your point states, Grant and the Union had the men and material to waste, the South did not.
@@michaelbruce6190 Grant didn't waste his men lol. To defeat Lee, there had to be heavy casualties, Grant did what he had to do.
My g-grandfather Marquis D. L. Price was in the 17th/18th Texas Cavalry (dismounted), Granbury's Brigade, Cleburne's Division. He was one of Cleburne's Sharpshooters and right in the middle of the front line of the Franklin attack, within just a few yards of both Cleburne and Granbury when they fell. He later described to my grandmother how when they were pinned in front of the Union barricades, a couple of fellow soldiers loaded rifles for him and he would quickly stand up and fire across. I can't imagine how he survived.
sorry to hear your g-grandfather was a traitor
@@marvelhero3795 - So was I ... BUT THAT WAS NOT MY POINT! I was only describing what he experienced ... and he went through a LOT more than that. I also had a g-g- grandfather who fought for the Union and was wounded at the Battle of Pea Ridge ... where his brother was killed right by his side.
@@charlestemple634 Forgive me, that was rude of me.
@@marvelhero3795 - Thanks ... I'm a historian with a tendency to lecture, but do my best to stick to facts.
@@marvelhero3795 gfy
Very honored to have visited this ground. It's a sobering and hallowed feeling to see the bullet holes in the facade of the Carter House and to stand in the front yard where the great hand to hand clash took place. More people need to know about this horrific battle.
Did you go to Fort Granger in Pinkerton Park?
Since moving to Tennessee, I've been learning a lot more about the Western theater of the Civil War. I'd never even heard of the Battle of Franklin before, and this animation and narration provides a clear and concise overview of a brutal battle.
Tennessee has the most civil war battlefields than any other state not named Virginia
It wasn't so much a battle as a suicide by commander.
Shiloh, Parkers Crossroads (Bedford Forrest in December, 1862), Tullahoma Campaign and Battle of Stones River are also good to learn about
Another show called the Franklin/Nashville campaign the last gasp of the Confederacy. I think that description fits. General Grant had done what multiple Union Commanders had failed to do which was to Take Robert E. Lee and the Army of Northern Virginia out of the war since they were trapped at Petersburg. Hood's army was the last Confederate Army with freedom of movement. His army was wrecked at Franklin.
I lived in Franklin, TN for a few years. Knew nothing of this epic battle before moving there. Franklin is buying up the land to preserve the battlefield and I hope they succeed. This is too significant a battle to not have a greater collective awareness of.
Hood at Gettysburg: "This assault is ridiculous. PLEASE let me move around them."
Hood at Franklin: "I shall die historic on the Fury Road! WITNESS ME BROTHER!!!!!"
It’s amazing how getting wounded twice changes Hood.
@@StonewallTitlow - I'm not wont to feel sympathy for Confed generals, but poor Hood!
ROBBED of chance to FLANK the Union left at Gettysburg by Longstreet's petulance (vs Lee's orders)....
Had it not been for Union MASTERY of defensive entrenchments, this battle could have been a great Confed victory.
Why does no one point out that FRANKLIN was the Confederate armies' COLD HARBOR?
At Cold Harbor, Grant gave Lee's rebels 24 hrs to improve their lines - and it cost 5,000 Union soldiers.
Here, same thing in reverse - Hood should have pressed the attack the night before,
and of course ALLOWING Schofield's troops to march at night back in to Union lines
- RIGHT PAST HOOD's SLEEPING army - was a fatal mistake.
Hood knew he had no chance of winning, he eventually sent all they had for one final go to see if they could break through, he was quoted in Atlanta saying odds are against us but I will roll the dice and gamble with the gods of war. This battle ultimately destroyed the army on the west, some say he did it to put an end to the war
Truly an overlooked and underrated battle. One of the bloodiest of the "irrepressible conflict."
I've been to the Carter House and Carnton Plantation. Both were truly amazing experiences.
My G-Great Uncle, Charles Rufus Ellis, was a Pvt in the 57th Indiana, Lane's Brigade, Wagner's Division. He survived the war and rests in Yellow Springs, Ohio.
Have you contacted Eric Jacobson of the Battle of Franklin Trust about your Ancestors story. He is always looking for first hand accounts or artifacts about the battle.
Have you contacted Eric Jacobson of the Battle of Franklin Trust about your Ancestors story. He is always looking for first hand accounts or artifacts about the battle.
@@keith6234 I haven't any letters, diaries, writings, etc from my ancestor.......just his name listed on the roster of the 57th Indiana.
This was the only civil war battle where the band advance with the troops.
A Confederate soldier later said ""The tooters went in with the shooters.
My GGG-uncle died here. He was a 2nd Lieutenant in the 7th Mississippi Battalion Infantry who I believe was ultimately under the control of General A.P. Stewart as mentioned and shown in the video on the right side advance.
Greatly enjoy (and appreciate) all of these, but this one is kind of special since I live in Granbury. Seeing Hood, Granbury, and Cleburne all on the map really brings some of the history - quite literally - home.
I live close to Cleburne in Burleson and am actually a relative of General Hood. It’s interesting to see the different engagements Hood was in, both good and bad.
My gg grandfather was at Franklin in the Union Army. He had moved down by riding the train on flat cars. He described to my grandmother sitting on the side of the flat car looking at a river.
Have you contacted Eric Jacobson of the Battle of Franklin Trust about your Ancestors story. He is always looking for first hand accounts or artifacts about the battle.
@@keith6234 Thanks
“We were lavish of blood in those days, and it was thought to be a great thing to charge a battery of artillery or an earthwork lined with infantry.” D.H. Hill.
Colonel Opdycke charged into the battle firing his pistol. When he ran out of ammo, he started clubbing Confederates with the grip until it broke. Then he picked up a musket and used that.
No sword?
It’s a BS legend
This battle really shows the difference in man power between the armies 7k Confederate losses to 2.5k union losses was essentially destroying the army of Tennessee and yet in battles like Cold Harbor and Fredericksburg with 13k+ casualties for the union and less than 5k casualties in either battle for the Confederates and the federal army shakes it off gets more reinforcements and continues moving. Its crazy to think how long the Confederates held out against odds like that.
I searched Franklin the BBQ and this came up.
Thumbs up, great video.
Just goes to show - there is a difference between being brave and being fool hearty.
No one could ever accuse "The Gallant Hood From Texas" of not being brave! However, he was not a particularly effective commander.
One of George Wasshington's greatest strategies was to keep his army intact and not let it be destroyed by the enemy.
You guys should just release a full Civil War series....like the 30 most important battles.
Great series!! To notch work, I hope you continue them.
My Confederate Ancestor Pvt Thomas Lawrence McAbee Co H 16th South Carolina Infantry fought at this battle under Brig. Gen. States Rights Gists at this battle and was joined up with the Army of Tennessee under Gen. John Bell Hood!
Have reviewed a few of the American Battlefield Trust presentations on the Battle of Franklin and two from History Traveler. I absolutely enjoy any well-done animated battle maps and this view has been an excellent culmination of all viewings on Franklin. Thanks. I surely enjoyed. I believe had Hood won and routed the Union Troops, this could have been a "Game Changer" to affect the final outcome of the war. Possibly, the favorable terms that the South was desiring. Surely, this would have continued the Civil War and played into favoring the South. Some forgotten history that needs to be told and surely preserved. Despite what some may believe today. A history buff from Massachusetts. Again, Thanks.
Outstanding job you do and please keep it up
"Realizing the futility of attacking an entreched Federal army in Atlanta, Confederate general John Bell Hood..."
...proceeded to attack an entrenched Federal army in another town.
I almost spit out my food laughing while reading this...
Big Brain Rebel Tactics.
Hood was one of the worst mistakes in the CSA, if Jonhston would be in charge, Atlanta probably would fall much longer the elections and Lincoln would lost the elections against McClellan.
Hood conspired to replace Joe Johnston in front of Atlanta then foolishly attacked Sherman three times. Johnston was wise not to throw his army away.
How was i suposed to know id be one of the 100 first to click this video. I wanna see it as soon as it comes out. This channel has singelhandedly made the amarican revolution my biggest interest after the napolionic wars. Thank you for uploading such quality content friends! Cheers from sweden
At 7:35 there is a historical inaccuracy. Arthur McArthur Sr. was grandfather to Douglas McArthur, not father. For Sr to have been his father Douglas would have had to have been 75+ during the Second World War, an âge at which he wouldn’t have been able to trek across the South Pacific.
I was wondering about that. Was thinking dude must have been ancient when he fathered him.
Good catch!
Douglas MacArthur was born in 1880. Arthur MacArthur Jr. (born 1845) was the father of Douglas MacArthur. Arthur Jr. was called the Boy Colonel. He did actually fight at Franklin. He received the Medal of Honor for his valor at Missionary Ridge. Pretty amazing military father and son.
My ancestor (cousin) fought here and other battles. He survived the battles but was wounded. His name was Private. Young A Taylor. I recently found where he is buried near Fayetteville TN. His grave is on a small hill many miles from civilization in the middle of woods and fields. When I found his grave, I used a paranormal hunting device to capture EVP's and I sat beside his grave. While using this device, I informed him that I was his cousin and that I knew he served in the civil war. I, then asked him what was his name and very clearly, he replied with (Young) on my device. It sent chills down my back.
This is considered as the Pickett's Charge of the West.
or, another Fredericksburg, with positions reversed.
Nope, it was called the Fredericksburg of the west, with different result.
Animation really helps tremendously understand the battle whereas the printed page describes but informs little.
I recall recently viewing a program on the battle of Franklin hosted by a local man involved in preservation, and promotion of the history of the battle. He showed a photo of the area after the battle with a building that survived in the background. Then indicated that the building still stood and had been acquired by their local historical society.
In making repairs to the building, the plaster was removed from the interior walls to reveal the original sheathing boards. They were perforated like a poka dot design with bullet holes from the battle. They surmised that after the battle the exterior clapboard siding and interior plaster had to be replaced, but the sheathing boards were not replaced as they do as they were.
The society put up plexiglass on the exterior instead of clapboard siding so the visitor can see the bullet holes as they were from the battle.
The death of Todd Carter reminds me of the death of my great great great granduncle who died at shiloh, where his family had been living
This a very good representation of what happened at the Battle of Franklin. It is made clear by this animated map that Hood's poor reconnaissance work, impatience, and logistical ineptitude cost the once vaunted Army of Tennessee not only many men but also its fighting spirit. And though the Army of Tennessee did continue to fight on right into 1865, Franklin and Nashville made it quite clear that the Army of Tennessee had been actually destroyed.
@Doug Bevins Well sir, I see that you are very passionate about history and respect your opinion. I do agree that Grant's Army was the true representative of heroism, particularly for fighting against the evil practice of slavery, an abhorrent method of economics that still haunts the United States. Also, I do acknowledge that in the eyes of many, the soldiers of the Army of Tennessee and other Confederate forces were in fact traitors, a view I myself hold as to the fact that they did fight against the constitution of a nation which many of them had sworn to uphold, that of the USA. But, when I said vaunted, I was talking about the superb quality of soldiery that existed in this host, not looking at it from the White supremacist romanization of the Confederacy that has been sadly prevalent in some quarters. And, your statement about 4,000 soldiers is erroneous, as many scholars, such as Doctor James McPherson, Shelby Foote, and William Hess, contend that in fact 11,000 men were all that was left of the army and these troops, divided into two shattered corps, were the ones which did reach General Johnston.
The real tragedy is due to Lost Cause nonsense, many of the US major installations and forts are named after these bumbling traitors instead of the real heroes who saved the country.
Even with 5000 men under the best Cavalry leader of the war- Nathan B Forrest at his disposal, he (Hood) still F#$-up and lost.
Wow it's amazing how the Confederates lost that many generals and officers in such a short time frame. The war was probably decided by this point anyway, but that's gotta hurt losing so many generals and officers.
@Ralph Goober Hindsight affords a wonderful perspective.
@Ralph Goober If it was a pure numbers game I would agree. However, morale plays a role, and there were multiple points in the timeline where the confederates could have brought the north to the table for negotiation. It never happened because of multiple factors, not the least of which was that Lincoln proved himself to be rather stubborn.
So when my grandmother was a child in Franklin, they would still find items from the battle. This would have been in the 1920’s. So these things weren’t just out in the open. But many were unearthed during her childhood. She would tell me about them finding soldier buttons, some mini balls, a wheel off a Gatling and even a couple of broken guns. She said her brother put on a ragged grey jacket they found and they pretended they were shooting each other with the pieces I guns. She had no idea what happened to these things. Because as young children, they had no idea how important to history they were. And they were probably just careless with them, tossing them wherever. But their parents should’ve known. Guess they just didn’t take them home with them.
She also said that in her youth, there were still many people around that were there during the battle. And even some veterans. But for the most part, people didn’t talk about it much. It really took a huge toll on Franklin and most just wanted the memory of the devastation to fade.
She went to some kind of a garden party event at Carnton Plantation in her teens. And she said seeing the many graves is when she really understood the devastation of it all. And she also understood that those items they used as toys really meant something. And that they belonged to men who lost their lives brutally. It shook her
great video--will watch it again. It really points out how Hood especially and the others that the south is so proud of the statues basically ordered suicide assaults -- cannon fodder. You would think he would be the last to make statues of
These battle maps are exceptional... there is a real need for them for... Wilson Creek... Pea Ridge ... and Prairie Grove... HINT HINT!!!...
American Battlefield Trust, could y’all make a map video about Stones River? There is very little videos concerning the battle, and it was a crucial battle in the war.
I visited Stones River battlefield site five years ago
Such an excellent series! Thank you and continue the good work.
Hood had the audacity to say a few years later that he left the Army of Tennessee in better shape than he found it in. I guess I can say the same thing about the people who took over my old neighborhood in the 1970s.
Well, it stopped being a threat to the Union, so from a certain point of view...
@@dylandarnell3657 A certain point of view?
Hood trashed the army of the Tennessee after taking over for Johnson, he started with 45000 men. Made attacks outside the works in Atlanta and probably lost a quarter of that number, he was down to 28000 here, a 1/3 reduction and little to show for it. Then this attack and he loses another 7000, probably 10000 if you count all loses a month later, with injuries and those who headed back home. And he followed it up with 6000 more at Nashville, which also might approach 10000 when you add it all up a month later, he probably was down to 1/3 his original army. Forest was not front line but raiders and I would not add his 5000 to the army, you don't see him attacking works and having high casualties in these battles. Forest may have had as many men as Hood after Nashville, I guess supply was no longer was an issue for these 2 divisions left in Mississippi and Alabama.
@@mykofreder1682
Well put Sir
@@mykofreder1682 Lee did not do much better
Great job!
My maternal great great grandfather was in the 39 Mississippi - I’m glad he made it thru Franklin safe only to be almost killed at Spanish fort by a sharpshooter. Amazing anyone made it out of Franklin. My grandfather was told stories by him about bleeding feet, shaking bones- empty stomachs- but they went on! Deo vindice. And he lost a brother at Gettysburg with the Madison artillery
My family moved to Mobile in 1973. Back then anyone who wanted to could go to Spanish Fort and pickup bullets and cannon balls from the war. My family made it an outing and my dad returned many times. As years passed my dad retired and took up fishing. He melted those dang souvenir bullets down for lead weights. I cuss myself from not stopping him from doing it. I don't think you are allowed to go collecting anymore.
This is awesome!! Thanks so much!
Excellent overview. Thank You.
There is a park ranger talk on Forrest and I guess his high water mark of the Civil War, a skirmish in Mississippi with about 500 casualties where he hounded a small union force. It seems they could have used him here, why wasn't he involved where there is real fighting going on. I can see why he survived the war, when things got hot he became an observer.
these clips are such a great birdseye view
The visuals of this series are great, and I like the narration. The one thing I don't like is the background music, which sounds like stock action movie or TV music, and it's not indicative of the time and place. It's perhaps a nitpicking point, but it's something to consider for future animated battle maps. Even the music of Charles Ives, who was born nine years after the war's conclusion, would have been preferable.
Well thank God it's not Ashokan Farewell which was played to death in Burn's series, and btw was written in the 1980s.
Welcome back! ;)
These are wonderful. Thanks.
I found this to be very helpful, and love the hard work you put into it.
@6:50 "Brig. Gen. States Rights Gist" the man was a meme
Formerly known as Brig. Gen. Preserving Slavey Gist, but he changed it to make himself more palatable for his men to fight for him.
These videos are SOOO GOOD!
Well done! NOW I understand! Thank you!
Need to do a version of Knoxville and Ft. Sanders attack a year earlier. Subsequently the East Tennessee campaign of Longstreet.
Just how many chances did the South had, but for them dallying? Major damage could've been dealt at Spring Creek to Schofield's command and their supply trains. What more could the South have asked for?
Well, if McClellan had had any nerve, he could have taken Richmond easily in the Peninsular campaign. He could have split Lee's forces at Antietam just by moving his center forward, against a few hundred Confederate troops. Woulda coulda shoulda.
Your battlefield graphics are Nicely done !! Next step by others is WHY did the confederacy ever form? I'm still wondering where is their nobility in perpetuating slavery? In any age ??
My great grandfather fought for the union. Tennessee 12 Calvary. He would survive the war and go on to have many grandchildren
Respect to all Unionist Southern soldiers. They played a significant role in this battle. Kentucky Tennessee and Missouri sent soldiers here. It may be North Georgia Unionists fought here among the Tennessee Unionists regiments. The 44th Missouri regiment, coming from the Iowa borderstripe counties, played a key role in the battle.
This was basically the Confederacy's Battle Of The Bulge.
Please recommend a detailed battlefield map for Franklin showing unit dispositions and topography. Thank you.
Here are two of our Franklin maps: www.battlefields.org/learn/maps/battle-franklin-map-breakthrough-region and www.battlefields.org/learn/maps/franklin-november-30-1864
Thanks for sharing this so interesting video.
Walked the ground around the Carter house where Carter was mortally wounded ,he was found among a carpet of dead by his family which had sheltered in the cellar
taken from the battlefield to his home where he died among his family , in his bed .
Fantastic and heartbreaking.♥️✝️💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐
Always great hearing about Forest Gumps name sakes role in the War
This was towards the end of the struggle. Right as all future chance of slavery is to be outlawed with surrender. Both sides in all theaters were worn out. This was to be the last great charge by either Army.
"Cavalry" is a military unit. "Calvary" is a hill in the Middle East". Not the same. Other than that, this was quite well done; the animated maps make it much easier to understand than simply reading about it.
Hood had them outnumbered. He should have surrounded the entire town and laid loose siege to it. Instead he stupidly destroys the last of his cohesion and loses the war for Tennessee.
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Nah, the seize won't have lasted long. Thomas had massed the Union Army numbering 30k at Nashville just 20miles from Franklin. Hood probably wanted to crush Schofield's army separately before they can join Thomas.
No doubt it was foolish to charge the Union defensive work in Franklin. Hood was reckless, but his defeat was envitable. Hood made a major blunder by letting Schofield retreat to Franklin. He had a golden opportunity to crush Schofield's army when he flank Union army near columbia.
@@Joseph-eh4rs It always always always comes down to who has the best recon.
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@@MrDavePed Come to think of it. Hood is outwitted by Schofield and Thomas later in the battle of Nashville. I can't believe US Army named a major army installation after this fool who fought against his nation.
Hood didn't have the logistics to lay siege to anything
But yes Hood was an idiot. Dont know why the US Army immortalized him by building Ft. Hood Texas
In ancient war, many POWs changed sides and fought valiantly. They knew war needed no moral basis then, it was just the way of power.
It is still that way, but now each soldier must see himself a savior for a moral cause, not just a skilled killer.
Good stuff for sure, just riveting!
I think this battle was the Confederacy's "cold harbor." Just look at lopsidedness of the casualties
The difference: the South couldn't afford to lose anything or anyone at this point. There's no replacement rate and resources are stretched mighty thin. In five months, they'd throw in the towel.
Apparently my great, great, great grandpa was in Co. M of the 8th Michigan Cavalry during this battle. He had been "lucky" enough to be bed ridden with typhoid during the 8th Cavalry's I'll fated raid on Macon earlier in the summer of 1864. But he was back in service during thai battle. Kinda wild to see all this.
Have you contacted Eric Jacobson of the Battle of Franklin Trust about your Ancestors story. He is always looking for first hand accounts or artifacts about the battle.
Hood shouldn’t have played into unions fish hook especially putting troops infront of orchard trees. Should have marched northwest and around Franklin then smash east . But what gets me is how Union marched right past them in middle of night
Excellent presentation!!!
Thank you kindly!
I have 2 ancestors that fought for NC. One fought with the 50th NC Infantry and the other was with the 10th NC Heavy Artillery. Im half asian and Im proud of my southern roots
I have a Great Uncle, Pvt Charles Rufus Ellis of Dayton, Ohio, who served with the 57th Indiana Infantry in Lane's Brigade, under Wagner, at Franklin. From the presentation, the 57th must have broke and retreated to the rear and did not participate further in the battle.
Great History …….from across the pond 👏🇮🇲
Can yall do one for the battle of perryville being as it is the 160th anniversary of the battle of perryville
Was there 2 years ago, quite impressive
Great-great grandfather Oliver was part of the 33rd Mississippi. He survived the battle of Franklin. When asked why he fought in the war he said, “They were down here.”
I weep. Hoods army was starving. They had to take the unions supplies to live.
There were a lot less starving men after the battle though..
got to level with you Franklin is my literal name and prompted me to watch. A terrible waste of men in a frontal attack.
4 PM on November 30, 1964, does anyone know what time that would correspond to in today’s time?
that hood was mad man sending major generals in at the front of the assault losing that many generals has to have an effect especially top class men like cleburne
All those generals who fell went to the attack voluntarily ... they were real leaders. Cleburne knew when he got his orders that the battle would be a bloody disaster, and made this statement .."If we are to die, let us die like men."
@@charlestemple634 that is what i would expect from men from cork fighting men we are not called the rebel county for nothing we play football and we use the confederate battle flag at games
That was the strategy of the day, and still is- officers lead from the front. Brave souls with lifespan in minutes with tactics like that.
Nicely done.
Lose the captions they are not needed and are a distraction. We who watch these videos have good hearing.
Wow this is really good. I used to love the maps in old national geographic mags. But this is much better. By weight of fire and numbers Rebs should have easily won, but attacking fortifications uphill over open ground gives defense the advantage. Even if defence out numbered. You would have thought they would have learned from Picketts charge at Gettysburg. Rebs lost a lot of Generals that day. Fantastic for history buffs.
It was a horrible war, and I am glad the North won to stop the evil of slavery, but I can't help but feel admiration for the men on both sides, Union and Confederate. If courage were golden they would be richer than kings.
This battle effectively destroyed the Confederate Army of the Tennessee and further quicked the end of the war. I dont know what Hood was thinking in this campaign but good thing he made these mistakes. Victory for the Union and the United States.
I think there were two camps as far as tactics. One group decided attack and keep attacking until your enemy was defeated. You have another camp like Longstreet who wanted to fight but only if the land and his defense was to his favor. Hood didn't always think things out, but he was known as a brave soldier.
@Cloud Nine He should've just waited in Atlanta and bled out Sherman.
Larry Gonzalez well it ain’t that simple he would have to face the greatest threat to an army other then the weather:political pressure. if he had done that then he surely would have been replaced. After all that was more or less Johnston’s strategy. Just with less retreating even if he had done that he would have lost and badly the army of Tennessee was just to outnumbered and out equipped to stand against the federal force. If only Johnston wasn’t replaced things definitely would have been interesting.
Also Charles Chon an Asian immigrant who enlisted in the confederate army fought and died there
He wouldn't have had to die there if the Southern States didn't try to rage quit the Union.
reevo Well northerners shouldn’t have made the south angry by killing 9 southerners at Harpers Ferry and then fight Robert E Lee And his men.
Whats the name of the song at the end of this episode???
Still better than History Channel.
May I ask which program do you use to make the battle animated maps? Thank you very much ! :)
What a leader the Confederacy had in General John Bell Hood; a one arm one leg morphine using confederate Lt. General. On July 20, 1864 in his first engagement as the AoT commanding general Hood looses to George Thomas at the battle of Peach Tree Creek. Then not quite five months later between December 15-16, 1864, Hood looses again to George Thomas at the battle of Nashville. And THEN Hood, after having his ENTIRE army eliminated as an effective force, asks to be relieved of command on January 23. 1965. Makes you think that Hood was, second only to maybe Leonidas Polk, one of the best Union assets in the entire confederate high command
You have the insignificant Battle of Franklin, and not Thomas' masterpiece of Nashville
Profundity in extremis. Purest art.
It seems incredible that given the high production values of this presentation, the narrator insists on mispronouncing `cavalry'. `Cavalry' are mounted soldiers. Calvary is the hill on which Christ was executed.
Were Union forces able to evacuate all their wounded?