TENNESSEE.
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A Severe Battle at Franklin, Tenn.
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HOOD DEFEATED BY THOMAS.
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The Rebels Desperately Assault Our Works.
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They are Repulsed with Fearful Carnage.
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Six Thousand Rebels Killed and Wounded.
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TWELVE HUNDRED PRISONERS CAPTURED
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Our Loss Less Than One Thousand.
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MAGNIFICENT BEHAVIOR OF OUR TROOPS
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Full and Graphic Account from Our Special Correspondent.
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OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT.
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Washington, Thursday, Dec.1.

The following official dispatch concerning the report of the victory in Tennessee, has been received at headquarters:

FRANKLIN, Tenn., Wednesday, Nov.30.

Major-Gen. Thomas:

The enemy made a heavy and persistent attack with two corps, commencing at 4 P.M., and lasting till after dark. He was repulsed at all points with heavy loss — probably of five or six thousand men. Our loss is probably not more than one-fourth of that number. We have captured about one thousand prisoners, including one Brigadier-General.

(Signed,) JOHN SCHOFIELD
Major-General.

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OUR SPECIAL ACCOUNT.
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Special Dispatch to the New-York Times.
FOUR MILES SOUTH OF NASHVILLE.
Thursday, Dec.1.

Gen. SCHOFIELD yesterday fought one of the prettiest fights of the war, resulting most disastrously to the rebels, with little loss to ourselves. After three days’ skirmishing, the rebels crowded our first line of works yesterday afternoon, and at 4 P.M. made a most desperate attack on our right and centre, forcing our lines to our breastworks, which were thrown up from river to river in an open field on the Cumberland Pike, which ran through the centre of the field.

At least half the rebel force engaged endeavored to pierce our centre, and come down viciously on WAGNER’S Division, which, after desperate fighting, fell back, and MANY’S rebel division, of FRANK CHEATAM’S corps, got inside our works and captured two guns. Our centre was not broken, however, and, better still, Gen. WAGNER successfully rallied our troops, who charged on the enemy, recaptured the two guns, and drove the division over the breastworks, capturing one entire brigade and its commander.

At 4:30 o’clock the battle was waged with unabating vigor, the enemy having made during a half hour several attempts to break our centre.

The Federal position was a magnificent one, and the result of these four days’ work were magnificently grand.

All this while the rebels had appeared in front of our right. The plan was to pierce our centre and crush our right wing before dark. A portion of our infantry were engaged three-quarters of an hour firing on the rebel columns who stood their ground like madmen. During the every charge made on our right and centre, volleys of grape and canister were hurled into their lines, and only darkness prevented their sacrifice being more awful. It is said that no canister shot was used by the rebels during the day, but fired shot and shell.

After the first break of WAGNER’S division and its recovery, our line never budged a step. All was quiet after 10 P.M. It was not only one of the prettiest but cleanest battles of the war. The excessive slaughter of the enemy was owing to our wholesale use of canister and grape, and our selection of ground. The battle was fought in an open field, with no trees or undergrowth, or other interruption. The enemy’s loss in killed and wounded approximates 7,000, and we have over 1,200 prisoners, and one general officer and several field officers. The Colonel of the Fifteenth Mississippi, a Northern man, of Illinois, was wounded and taken prisoner. Four-fifths of his regiment were killed, wounded or captured. Our loss does not reach a thousand, hors du cambat. Gen. Bradley, of Illinois, while gallantly leading his troops, was severely wounded in the shoulder. Our loss in field officers is very small. Our troops behaved handsomely. SCHOFIELD commanded on the field, STANLEY on the right, and Cox on the left. Gen. Stanley was wounded slightly in the neck, but remained on the field and is all right to-day.

I have told you all along the programme of Gen. Thomas would electrify you, and this is but the epilogue of the battle to come off.

After our dead, wounded and prisoners were cared for, our army fell back to this point, and are in line of battle while I write. Up to this time, 3 P.M., the enemy has not made his appearance. The Third Corps of Veterans are in readiness, and a battle is expected before daylight to-morrow. All Government work is suspended, and all are under arms, from Gen. DONALDSON down to the unscientific laborers.

The falling back of our troops was accomplished at 8 o’clock this morning, and bridges burned across Harpeth River to retard the transportation of rebel supplies. The cavalry was handled prettily by Gen. WILSON, between Spring Hill and Triune.

A.J. SMITH’s corps is in line of battle, and the situation is particularly grand. Forts Negley, Morton, Cairo and Houston are alive, and the infantry movement perfectly satisfactory. Something must immediately transpire, as Gen. THOMAS is ready to strike no matter how the rebels move.

BENJ. C. TRUMAN

Today’s Tennssean ran two articles related to relic hunting for Civil War artifacts. They are worth reading.

• County’s hallowed ground becomes swallowed ground, Nov 29th, 2009.
• Archaeologists, relic hunters don’t see eye-to-eye, Nov 29th, 2009

I side more with supporting archaeological discovery of relics and artifacts as opposed to relic hunting through metal detecting. Archaeological discovery should be supported by the State, County or Town in an official capacity, not limited to public funding within reason, especially if the ground being explored is owned by the State or City.

If people want to relic hunt on private property then I think that is fine, so long as permission is granted by the owners. I think it is wrong of relic hunters who sneak on private or State property – without permission – and look for artifacts.

If human bones or remains are found – on private or public grounds – the City or State officials should be contacted so that proper care, recovery and commemoration can be afforded the person. I’d also encourage relic hunters on private property to volunteer to work closely with State archaeological officials so that the community can learn the most possible from important finds.

Important knowledge about the Civil War- and battles – can be gained from official archaeological projects. For example, when the H.L. Hunley submarine was discovered in 2000 in Charleston Harbor, it was a professionally sponsored archaeological project. One of the most important finds – one that might have been neglected by private relic hunters – was the exact location of the human remains inside the submarine.

The eight crewmen’s remains were in the exact position they had while working at their station as death took place.  This allowed scientists to better understand what happened on that ill-faited cruise in February 1864.  Had several of the crew members’ bones been piled in one spot – under the hatch – it would have been evidence that the crew fought for air in the last few seconds as they clamored to escape the chamber of death.

Because so much personal relic hunting for Civil War artifacts takes place outside public scrutiny, we will never know what important facts are lost forever about how a battle was won-lost, the nature of casualties, the original lay of the topography, etc.

Private relic hunters are interested in private benefits, whether they be financial or for personal ego. Publicly-sponsored archaeological projects insure the entire community will benefit from the knowledge we can gain from uncovering priceless Civil War artifacts that have remained hidden for over 140+ years. They might rarely be priceless in terms of monetary value, but they are priceless in terms of what we can better understand why and what happened on these hallowed grounds.

Where do you stand?  Relic hunting or archaeology?

I launched the Battle of Franklin Facebook group – www.FranklinMatters.com – in mid-October. Honestly, I thought if I got a couple hundred “fans” by January 1st we’d be doing well.  We are coming upon our 1,000th registered fan for the Facebook group.

How does that compare to other Civil War battle Facebook groups? Incredibly, no other battle, including Gettysburg, even has 50 fans.  In fact, the Battle of Franklin Facebook group is in the top five of ALL Civil War related Facebook groups period.

I integrate content from my Battle of Franklin blog into the Facebook group.  Come join the fun at – www.FranklinMatters.com.

There were about 100 Civil War reenactors who participated in the 145th anniversary of the Battle of Franklin today at Carnton Plantation. Here is a small selection of a few pictures during the reenactment. A full photo gallery of the event is here. Also check out my videos on my YouTube folder.

It was a glorious evening in Franklin tonight as hundreds – perhaps even thousands – came out to Carnton Plantation to attend the 145th commemoration of the Battle of Franklin.  10,000 candles were illuminated and placed in scores of rows on the Eastern Flank at Carnton to honor the 10,000 estimated casualties that occurred at Franklin (November 30, 1864).

A full photo gallery of the event is here. Also check out my videos on my YouTube folder.

Two batteries of Confederate artillery displayed their thunder in a reenactment of the Battle of Franklin today, on the Carnton Plantation grounds during the 2009 Blue and Gray Days.

A photo gallery of the event is here.

Also check out my videos on my YouTube folder.

Historian and author Thomas Flagel spoke for several minutes tonight. He was his usual passionate-self as he talked about how Hood’s charge at Franklin is often compared to Pickett’s Charge at Gettysburg, but the Franklin-charge was bigger in many ways.

A photo gallery of the event is here.

Also check out my videos on my YouTube folder.

Mais uma feira de minerais de Coimbra numa  visita  curta porque o tempo escasseia.  A feira continua fraquita… está a custar recuperar a força de outrora. O melhor é mesmo matar saudades daquela casa e rever o Museu! Para começar aqui ficam dois espécimes de Rodonite de Franklin, New Jersey, EUA. Obtidos através da casa Foote de Filadélfia e com dimensões a rondarem os 15 cm. Clássicos a apreciar!

Rodonite, Franklin, NJ, EUA, colecção do MMG do Departamento de Ciências da Terra da FCTUC.

It was a glorious evening in Franklin tonight as hundreds – perhaps even thousands – came out to Carnton Plantation to attend the 145th commemoration of the Battle of Franklin.  10,000 candles were illuminated and placed in scores of rows on the Eastern Flank at Carnton. Historian-authors Eric Jacobson and Thomas Flagel shared a few appropriate words.

A photo gallery of the event is here.

Also check out my videos on my YouTube folder.

Thomas Flagel spoke at tonight's illumination.

Ellie, Ella and Gracie are ready for Thanksgiving and we are thankful for them.

Spencer is ready and we are thankful for him.

The children’s table and they ate a good meal and were exceptionally well behaved and are intelligent beyond their years and so beautiful that they shine inwardly and outwardly and bring joy to all they encounter and we are thankful for that! (They are, of course, our grandchildren and the children of friends.)

After dinner, Grandma and Spencer did some Christmas “wishing.” Never hurts.

We were sitting in the family room at C and J’s waiting for Chris to open birthday presents when Gracie jumped up and said, “Daddy, the sofa is black!!”

Becky questioned her – “What color was it?”

Gracie said, “It was white!!”

The white couch had been moved to the living room and the black (brown) couch had been moved back to the family room. Gracie evidently was not in on the move. She was genuinely surprised!!

Chris was ready with lots of presents and lots of help.

There were hugs all around.

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