In 1864, Franklin (pop. 42,000) was the site of a Civil War battle on the banks of the Harpeth River. After five hours of fighting, the dead or wounded had reached 6,000 Confederate and 2,000 Union soldiers.
Randal McGavock, a former mayor of Nashville, owned Carnton Plantation which became a field hospital during the Battle of Franklin in 1864. In 1866, John and Carrie McGavock expressed concern over the burial conditions of the many confederate soldiers who died in the battle. They designated nearly two acres of land near their family cemetery for the re-interment of close to 1,500 Confederates.
The Carter House is a historic 1830s farm home that was caught up in the middle of the Battle of Franklin, November 30, 1864. Over one thousand bullet holes still mark the buildings from some of the bloodiest hours of the Civil War. The house contains original and period furniture and houses a museum of Civil War relics that recount the Battle of Franklin.
Address: Carter House, 1140 Columbia Avenue, Box 555, Franklin, TN 37065-0555, United States
Phone: 1 (615) 791-1861, Fax: 1 (615) 794-1327
The Lotz House Museum is a historic home that stands on the battlefield of Franklin. A collection of War Between the States and Old West artifacts are displayed. The museum also features artifacts from Native Americans. The house itself suffered severe battle damage, which is still visible today including the patch in the roof from a cannonball crashing through.