Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1867-11-02
THE BATTLE OF FRANKLIN.
The HerOism OF Daughter of Ten.
nessee-A Thrilling Incident.

The HerOism of a Daughter of Ten.
nessee-A Thrilling Incident.
For the Union and Dispatch.
The historic page is replete with acts of
womanly devotion not alone with deeds of
love and benevolence, but also with those
which proclaim the true-hearted heroine
Yet in no age Of the world do the virtues
and self sacrificing patriotism of the female
character appear in diviner light than
during the internecine struggle, whose be-
som but yesterday swept over the battle
Scared plains of our own loved Southland.
The war has ceased, and Cur motherland
with her fame is immortal. None now
will deem it treason to place on record
that which must furnish a renewed evil
dence of how willingly woman will sacri-
fee all, even life itself, in.behalf of cause
in which her feelings are enlisted.
The incident which is related occurred
at the battle of Franklin, fought on the
30th of November, 1864. Every prepera-
tion had been made for the struggle. Two
corps of the Confederate forces had de-
bonched from the hills into the valley Just
south of Franklin. The corps commando
ed by Lieut.. Gen. A. p. Stewart occupied
the rightpf the line of battle, which after
various maneuyers commenced the advance
movement with skirmishers we'll in front.
Soon thereafter, a large brick residence
opened to the view directly in front of the
advancing line of battle, and situated in
the midst of open fields surrounded by a
beautiful lawn thickly covered with forest
trees, and as was afterwards discovered
one mile and half from Franklin. The
sharp rattling fire of the skirmish line in
the lawn and wood to the left of the house,
told the advancing columns that the enemy
we're in force, and that heavy work was
before them. The corps now moved steadi,
ly and rapidly forward.
An was deep silence, save the fearful calm,
That atslumbered 1.-THE battles portentious pause"
No cheer went up from the line, and
naught disturbed the quiet save the heavy
tramp of the men, together with the fusi-
lade of the skirmish fire in front. A grim
smile of determined courage had settled
upon the faces of those war-worn veterans,
the heroic survivors of many hard fought
field. There under the red cross battle-hag
were gathered the sons of every Southern
State Conspicuous among them we're the
Tennesseans, who felt that the present was
the long and eagerly wished for mos
ment in which they could strike for
home, for friends, for country upon
their own native soil Not straggler
could be seen. Every man seemed to think
the result of the battle dependent on his
own individual efforts. Thus animated,
and all eargerness for the battle, the
corps had nearly reached the residence
. (before referred toy, when Gen. S. dis
| covered lady in the yard directly between
/ the opposing lines and exposed to the artil-
| lerv and muskeiry fire of the enemy. Turn
ing TO staff officer, he directed him "to
| gsllop to her, request her to retire
into the house and that he wonld
furnish a guard to protect her" The
order was obeyed immediately, and
| the message of the General communicated
to the lady who was waving her handker-
chief and encouraging the esoldiers by word
and example. But that noble woman was
undaunted by the danger surrounding her
With the bullets cutting the grass at hel
feet, and an occasional shell exploding
near her, she drew herself fully erect, anC
with all the courage Of a Roman matror
flashing in her glance, proudly answered
thank you, bG, fear nothing, l need ~
Guard when Confederate soldiers are around
me-" The influence of her reply was elec
trio, and no one but an eve witness car
form any idea of its effect II was hearC
by the right and left files of the two pass
ing regiments, for Just at that moment tn
line swept magnifcently around. The en-
thusiasm of these few men could be re
strained no longer. Their admiration
burst forth in one long, loud cheer. 1t rar
like wildfre along the line. 1t was takel
mp from right 10 left, and echoed bacl
again by Cheatham's corps, (Which ha'
| perfected the alignment on the left,) In
shout which seemed to rend the vaulte
skies.
Who was the brave and noble woman
who thus, by her heroism, gave the key
note to the charging cheer of a gallau
army? every one, of course, exclaims.
1t was none other than Mrs. Col. job
McGsvock.
II is needless to recount the battle whic
followed. History will proclaim to I'll
world the heroic yaior and devotion c
Southern men on that eventful evening
But let us trace the line of the Army {
Tennessee. Go mark the spot wher
her gallant heroes fell. There will b
seen how bravely they bore themselves i
, that splendid charge (Which won ever tn
J admiration of their foes), against thre
times their number, behind fortihcation
carefully constructed sbsttis, and fir
before which the Old Guard of Napoleo
: would have recOiled.
. But 10 return to Mrs. McGavock, tli
leading character in this incident. lie
, self-sacrifcing patriotism ended not i
words alone. So soon as the enemy hs
been driven from her house she bega
!, preparing il for a hospital. During th
! battle, and throughout that entire nigh
the wounded, the dead, and dying OF tt
, | Confederate army were brought back TO h
, house. 1t was thrown open. Everythlr
I was freely given. Nothing was denie'
1 All that womanly affection and skill coul
4 suggest, all that womanly tenderness coul
2 do to alleviate the sufferings OF the woun'
: ed was performed cheerfully and wiilingl
t Many gallant soldier blessed her with b
: diving breath. while those who surv!'
r cherish the memory Of her kindness VII
Il that gratitude which such heroes alone ca
4 feel.
= The devotion Of herself and kusoaf
8 ceased not even when the struggle ende,
e for Col. MeGsvock has given a beautli
a spot, as a cemetery, wherein rePose L
II Confederate dead who fell near FRANK
during the different engagements OF u
II war The cemetery is upon the edge
}, the battle field of the 30th Novemb'
y 1854, and has already been decked 81
J. beautifully arranged by the hand OF woma
'e ly affection. There repose two thousand
= the true sons OF the South, represent
st every State of our late Confecesacy. The
at they rest together in one common BROTH
A. hood.
Their conflicts are o'er at last.
10 They sleep beneath the vernal sod.
II Their souls have gonetO God
4 4 . 1 ~ e 81