The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-07-10
sTORr OF A TERRIBLE BATTLE.
The Carnage ut Franklin, Tennessee >
Next to That oi 1ac Or tfr.

IL will he remembered that Hood had
brought his army into Tennessee, whlle
sherman had gone on TO the sea. Hood
had almost succeeded In cutting OF SchO-
fields forces AT Columbia, having reached
the vicinity of Spring Hill between there
and Franklin at night-fall OF the day
before the battle.
No event OF war perhaps showed a scene
equal 10 this charge at Franklin. The
range Of hills upon which we formed OF
fcred tie best view Of the battieiieid.i
with but little pc sure 10 danger ana
there were hundreds collected there as
spectators. our ranks were being ex-
tended rapidly 10 the right and left. In
Franklin there was the utmost confusion.
The enemy was greatly excited. We
could see item running 10 and fro. Wa
gon-trans were being pressed across the
ftarpeth river. and On toward Nashville.
Gen. LoriDg. Of Cleburne's division, made
speech 10 his men. our Brgadier-ticne-
raj StIahl was quiet and there was an eN-
preston Of sadness on his face. The SOL
diers were fun OF ardor. and confident
OF success. They had unbounded faith IN
ten. Hood. whom they believed would
achieve victory that would give ~
Nashville. Such W0s the spirit OF the
army AS the s.gr al was given which set
IL in motion. Our generals were ready
and some Of them rode in front OF our
main line. With quick step, we moved
forward 10 the sound Of stirring music.
This is The only battle that was in, and
sic were used. I was right guide 10 the
Forty-frst Tennessee, marching -four PAGES
10 the 'front.' J haa au opportunity OF ,ir" b.
ing my comrades and / well remember
the look OF determination that was on
every face. our bold movement caused
the enemy 20 give up, without much iir-
int. its advanced line. As they fell back
az dOublc-quick, our men rushed forward,
even though they had 10 face the grim
line Of blcastW0rks just at the edge OF
the town.
Before we were in propeS -listance for
small arms. the artillery opened on both
Sides our guns. firing over our heads
from tho hills I'm the rear. used anmuni-
ton without stint, while the enemy 5 hat
tcrles were an constant play upon our
lines. When they withdrew To their main
line Of works IL was as one even plain for
"a mile. About fifty yards in front or
their hrcaetN Orks. We came IN contact
with formidable cheyauX de frisc, over
or through which IL was very difficult
10 pass. Why half Of us were not Killed
yet remains Il my stery, for after NOV
ing forward so great distance. al the
time under fire. the detention. immediate
ly n their front. gave them a very great
advantage. We arrived at the works,
and .Oue oi our men. alter ciun hgnt at
tho trenches, got over. The cOlOrs of
my regiment were carried inside, and
when the ann that held them was shot
on they fell to tnc ground and remained
tho works but their gallant leader was
shot dead. and they gave way. So that the
enemy remained on our nahk, ana htpl
up "a constant cnnlading IRE. our lelt
also failed TO hold the works, aud for Il
short distance We remained ana iouEht
until tia ditch was almost full or d'al
men, Night came on soon after the hdtu
lighting began and we tred at the hasH
Of each others guns. Holdlhs the enc
mv's lines. as we continued 10 do on thls
part Of them. we were terribly massd-
cred by the enhlade firing. The works
were So high that those VINO nred the
guns were obliged TO get roofing IN
the omb8ukmeut. exposing themselves IN
addition 10 their flank, TO fire by men
in houses One especially severe was mat
from Mr.. Carriers, Immediately IN my
front. was near Cen oudHl, "n''
stood in the ditch. and handed up guns
10 those posted TO hre lhsih. l. Hau paSssu
10 him my short Enfield noted IN the
rsgimenD, about the sixth time. Inc
man who had been firing cooked II ana
was taking deliberate aim, when ne was
shot and tumbied down dead INTO the
ditch upon these killed before MIN. When
the men so exposed were shot down,
their places We're supplied by volunteers
until these were exhausted, ana IL WIS
necessary for Gen. Strahl 10 call upon
others lie o. rncd 10 me. and though
was several feet back from the ditch l
rose up Immediately, and walking over
the wounded ana dead. took position with
one foot upon the pile OF bodies or my
dead fellows. and the other in the en-
bankmcut. and Tired guns which the Gene
RAJ himself handed up 70 me until ne, 700,
was shot down. ono other man hdd Nal
position on my right, and assisted IN the
nrue The battle lasted until not an el-
ncout man was left between MS ana the
Columbia Pike. about nifty yards TO our
right aud hardly enough behind us 10
mama up llc Aul-. Ne could NOT mold OUT
much ionee'. for indeed but few OF nos
were then left alive. 1t seemed as If
u. .ri. Odd. ,IoI.t tut Go suTrrIqrr or try
20 get away. and when 7 asked the Gene
rli for counsel. De- simply answered, Keep
nfiu-.' But just as the man 10 my righ.
was shot and fell against me with TERRI
blc grOlus Gen. Strahl WIS shot. lie
threw up his hands, falling on his face,
aIa Thought ham dead. bul in asking tie
diving man. who still lay against M
shoulder as DE So MS forever, how he was
wounded. tho GeLcfal. who dad not been
killed. thinking my question was 20 him,
raised no saying that he was shot IN
the neck. and called for Col stafford 10
turn oyer bus command. He cIaNiru over
the dead. the ditch being three deep. about
twenty feet 10 where Col. stafford was
ills staff officers started 10 carry him
90 the rear but De received another shot,
and directly the third. which killed him
Instantly Col stafford was dead IN the
pile as the morning light disclosed, with
hi. feet Wedgod iu al the bottom, with
other dead across and under him after
Doc fell. leaving his body half standing
as Dr. ready TO give command % the doudi
1857 that time but a handful Of MS were
left ON that part Of the line. and as
was sure that our condition was no.
known. j ran 10 the rear 10 report To-
Gen. john G. Brown, commanding the
division. mHf Major hampton, .I NlS
staff. who told me that Gen. Brown was
wounded. and that Gen. Strahl was IN
command. This assured me that those
in command did not know the real situa-
ton. so / went ON the hunt for Genera,
Cneatlum. Ey and hy relief was sent
% the front. This done. nature gave way.
Ny shoulder was black with bruises from
firing and IN seemed that no moisture
was left in my system Utterly exhaust
ed. / sank upon the ground and tried 70
sleep. The battle was over and ! could
do no more. bat animated still with con-
Germ for the fate OF comrades / re-
turned TO the awful spectacle I'm search
CI some WuD. year after year. u1n uefu
m my side. An. the loyalty Of faithful
comrades in such a struggle.
These personal recollcctions are all
that ] can give. as the greater part OF
the battle was fought after nightfall. and
once in the midst n d. with but the
light OF the flashing guns. / could SEQ
only what pas. cd directly under my own
eyes. True. the moon was shining. but
the dense smoke and dust so filled the
air as 10 weaken its benefits. like a heavy
fog before tho rising sun. only there was
no promise o. the fog disappearing. Our
spirits were crushed. Ii was indeed the
Valley Of Death.
. ------
Captive.
When IN the dark OF some despairing