Franklin, Tennessee - November 30, 1864

Franklin, Tennessee - November 30, 1864

In the morning Hood's army, after some delay, took up the line of march in pursuit of the enemy under another brilliant sun and a touch of frost on the air. In the afternoon it reached Winston's Ridge [Ed: Winstead's Hill], an elevation two miles south of Franklin. North of Franklin was the Harpeth river over which Schofield must get his wagon train in safety before he could march with his army. He therefore entrenched himself in the plain around the town.

From Winston's Ridge [Ed: Winstead's Hill] the nature of these fortifications could be clearly seen and presented a formidable aspect. The line of works extended from thickets on both flanks across a level plain and consisted of high earth works with a deep ditch in front. An attacking force had no protection. For the space of a mile it was exposed to a concentrated fire of musketry and cannon, which would threaten literally to sweep an army away. The situation looked serious and General Hood summoned a brief consultation with his officers to decide what should be done. Some of the best and bravest of his generals, among them was General Cleburne, advised against a direct assault as involving a terrible and useless waste of life. The commanding general, however, wishing doubtless to crown this brilliant, but hitherto fruitless campaign with a notable success, ventured victory upon one bold stroke, and gave orders for an unimpending attack.

It was just after the short council had been held, and on the eve of the onset, that General Hood addressed General Cleburne thus: "General, I wish you to move on the enemy, Form your division on the right of the pike with your left resting on the same, General Brown will form on your left with his right resting on the pike. Give orders to your men not to fire a gun till you drive the Federal skirmishers from the first line of works in your front. Then press them and shoot them in the backs while running to the main line. Then charge the main works." To his most intimate friends these words do not sound like Cleburne; but the entire conversation is given on the authority of Dr. Linthieum, chief surgeon of Cleburne's division, who had remained at Spring Hill to care for the wounded there, and mounting his horse, and states that he heard the words used by both parties.

There is no question that while Hood did not entertain very cordial feelings towards Cleburne, on account of the latter's opinion, expressed after his own blunt manner, that Hood's substitution of Johnston in the command of the army was a disaster to the Country yet when gallant and loyal action was called for he knew Cleburne could be trusted. Cleburne marched forward with two brigades front, Granberry's [Ed: Granbury's] and Govan's, Lowery's in the rear. In a few moments the command was under a galling fire from the enemy's artillery. The first line of works in Cleburne's front, which was about two hundred yards in advance of the main works, was easily taken. Behind this line the command halted a few moments preparatory to making the final charge. All this time Cleburne was with his men. It was his custom, especially when any important charge was to be made, to follow his troops into the midst of the battle, and it has frequently been a cause of wonder to his friends that he came from so many dangers unscathed; but up to this time he seems to borne a charmed life. And now as his command dashed forward into the teeth of that fiery storm which burst from those main works, he followed them.

The writer [Ed: I] had been sent to locate a battery, [Ed: Hood hastily ordered the attack of Franklin, without waiting for artillery support] but while executing the order received a message from General Cleburne, through Captain S. P. Hanly of his staff, to return to him immediately. Reporting as ordered he found the general about the center of his division, immediately behind the line of battle. Seeing the writer [Ed: me] he mearly said, "It is too late," and the added, "Go on with Granberry [Ed: Granbury]," while he turned his horse to the right and galloped up to Govan's brigade which was rushing madly for the enemy's works.

His receding form was the last sight the writer [Ed: I] had ever had of General Cleburne alive.

Through the level plain, the valley of death, the whole line was now plunging onward, broken but closing up, thinning but still pressing forward. On all sides men sank out of sight, the ground was thick with the dead, the fallen seemed more numerous than living. Officers and soldiers, generals and privates, fell side by side. Generals Govan and Granberry [Ed: Granbury] on foot were in the midst of their men cheering them on. Within ten feet of the writer [Ed: me] General Granberry's [Ed: Granbury's] voice rang out clear and commanding "Forward men, forward! Never let it be said that Texans lag in the fight!" One moment later a ball struck him in the lower part of the cheek and passed through his brain. Throwing both hands to his face as in the impulse of the instant to find where the pain was he sank forward on his knees, and there, half sitting, half crouching, with his hands over his face he was found next day rigid in the attitude in which the bullet with its blow and its swift coming death had left him.

Better soldiers than this Texas brigade, were never marshaled. Cool in danger, accurate in the use of arms, full of audacious daring and an unconquerable courage, they were an honor to the army, an honor to their State, and Granberry [Ed: Granbury] was worthy to be their general.

Scarcely had the writer [Ed: I] left General Cleburne for the last time as already described when the general's horse was killed under him. A member of his escort, Brandon of Mississippi, dismounted and offered the general his horse. While in the act of mounting this one it too was instantly killed, riddled by many bullets. Then Cleburne rushed forward on foot, and when within less than a hundred yards of the works he fell, pierced by a single minnie ball which passed through his body and probably caused instant death. Hidden by smoke and enveloped by thunder he sank on the couch of his glory unattended and alone.

The battle of Franklin began at half past six o'clock p. m. and lasted but an hour; and by Cleburne's division at least only one charge was made. The charge brought the remnants of his gallant brigades into the ditches before the enemy's works. Unable to scale the works they maintained a desultory fire from the position with the enemy who fired at them from above. On the left Brown's men had also reached the ditch, and were unable to get further. About one hundred and fifty of them succeeded in getting over the works, and were captured by the enemy and taken to Nashville [Ed: 12 men of them were men of the 10th Texas Infantry - see the regiment's casualty totals, 3 pages further] Stewart on the right had been stopped by the thicket and doubled up on Cleburne's line. Bate on the left had been slightly engaged, but made no impression and suffered but little loss. By this time the enemy having secured the safety of their trains withdrew, and left Franklin in possession of Hood. At midnight the town was guarded by his troops.

[Kennesaw National Military Park - Kennesaw, Georgia]