You will spend time in the quaint town of Franklin to shop, eat, and view historic sites on your own. You will begin to understand how the residents of Franklin, the Civil War town of 750 people, emerged from their homes on the morning of December 1, 1864 to find over 9,500 casualties.

Learn how the Battle of Franklin unfolded and how the McGavock family watched as their home became the largest field hospital in the area. After the war, the McGavocks were instrumental in the creation of the Confederate Cemetery where nearly 1,500 soldiers who were killed in the battle are buried.

See where the Battle of Franklin reached its crisis point. The Carter family found their home taken as headquarters for the U. S. Army on November 30, 1864. Heavy fighting erupted around the house as the Confederate attack was shattered by Federal troops. The Carters, along with the Lotz family, sheltered in the cellar of the house as the battle raged around them.

Carter House and Carnton were vividly remembered by survivors of the battle and were visited by formers soldiers for many years after the war. The families remained residents at both places until nearly 1900.

When the Lotz family awakened on the morning of November 30, 1864, in effect the Federal Line had been established in their front yard. Mr. Lotz, fearing that his family would not survive the battle in their “wooden house,” they sought refuge 110 steps across the street in the brick basement of the Carter House.