The National tribune., 1908-11-26
THE BATTLEFIELD OF FRANKLIN
1t should Be Made National Park.

Editor National Tribune: I have just
returned from another visit to the bat
tlefield of Franklin, Tenn. L found
much there to interest the old boys
who took part in that desperate strug-
gle Nov. 80, 1864, and they would en-
joy visiting the place. The old gin mill
has vanished, but the bullet-marled
Carter House, around which the tide of
battle rolled with varying fortunes that
bloody day, is still extant, and marks
historic spot. The ground over which
the Confederates charged up to the
Union breastworks is in about the same
condition as during the battle, and the
landscape is as lovely as then.
I know of no more historic battle
field in the land than FRANKLIN, with
the quaint Tennessee town for its set
ting. L talked with many soldiers of
both armies who took part in the hat
tie, and they gave me many interesting
facts concerning it. An attempt vas
made some years ago to mark the spot
where Gen. Pat Cleburne fell at the
head of his men, and a small tablet
| tells where Gen. Adams died. The
heroism of both armies at Franklin
was not surpassed in any battle of the
war. The death of six Confederate
Generals there shows the desperatencss
of the fighting. and the resistance of
the Union soldiers is a halo of glory
1 cannot see why the National Gov
ernment has taken no steps toward
marking the battlefield of Franklin.
This is something that should be done,
and done before the last of the gal
liant men who fought there have passed
over to rest ''in the shade of the trees
The cost would not be great. as not
much land would have to be secured.
and 1 understand that the necessary
area could be purchased at no cxorbi-
tant figure. 1t is the desire of every
Franklin participant whom 1 met to
have the field marked
Other battlefields of no more impor-
tance than Franklin have been tablet
ed, and it should not be left unmarked.
understand that movement is on
foot looking to the proper marking of
this place, but it must be pressed before
it is too late. The bravery displayed
there should have a monument to the
soldiers of both armies, not a costly
shaft, but one that would reflect the
heroism of all who were at Franklin.
It was the last desperate battle of the
war, fought when the Confederacy was
without hope and When Appomattox
was in the near distance.
The kindly feeling that has grown up
since the war by the Blue and the Gray
who stood on the firing line calls fer
memorial at Franklin that would for
ever keep green their gallantry. I hope
something will be done in this dire"
ton. Let the Union soldiers take il in
hand, and I am assured that their Old
foemen. now their friends, will meet
them half way and help to carry out
the project. I would suggest that every
Union soldier who fought at Fra nklin
write his views on this matter to s n
Cunningham, of the Confederate Vet
eran, at Nashville, Tenn, and see if
Franklin cannot have its memorial to
American heroism. Mai. Cunningham
was one of the Confederates who
charged the Union works at the Carter
House, and viii do his part toward
seeing that this great battlefield is ap-
propriately marked as it should be-
T. C. Harbaugh. CasstOwn. o.