Franklin's Charge: A Vision for Reclaiming America's Battlefield
Saving the Landscapes of America’s Civil War at Franklin
One Hundred Fifty Years Later – An Opportunity.
What happened in Franklin 150 years ago was almost unthinkable – nearly 10,000 casualties in five bloody hours. The town had less than one thousand residents. The largest full frontal assault in American history, with 25,000 Confederate troops charging across a mile of open field into the well-fortified Federal line. A savage, hand-to-hand night battle. Sixteen Confederate generals killed or wounded, 53 regimental commanders. A fatal blow to the Army of Tennessee and a decisive Union victory for America occurred in Franklin, Tennessee.
In 2004, Franklin topped the Civil War Trust’s list of Most Endangered American Battlefields. Just eight years later, Franklin is known nationally as a community that has come together to reclaim battlefield covered by commercial development to offer one of the most comprehensive and compelling Civil War stories in the country. Now, we have an opportunity to add the final piece of the puzzle in time for the Sesquicentennial of the Battle of Franklin in November 2014.
It’s an opportunity to:
• Immerse visitors in the story of what happened here, from the forming lines to the fateful charge, from interpretive breastworks to the Federal fort, from the epicenter to the aftermath.
• Better illustrate the significance of the incredible human stories – Capt. Tod Carter, who fought all over the South only to fall in his own yard; Carrie McGavock, who took up the cause of caring for the wounded, and honoring the dead.
• Demonstrate the bravery and the loss, on ground where 11 medals of honor were won, and where the leadership of an army was decimated.
• Better understand the role of Black Americans before, during and after the war.
· • Tell the story of Reconstruction, and reconciliation, from the view of America at the Sesquicentennial.
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Unprecedented Success in Reclaiming Civil War Battlefield
Franklin’s Charge was born out of necessity in 2005 – protecting a 112-acre piece of battlefield property that had served as a country club golf course but was slated to be developed. Urgently, Franklin’s Charge worked with the City of Franklin to save the 112 acres, which has since been incorporated into the City's park system. This effort has been described by Jim Lighthizer, CEO of the Civil War Trust, as "the largest public-private cooperative effort in the history of Civil War Preservation."
The Campaign for the Cotton Gin
In 2008, Franklin’s Charge rose to another challenge – preserving a piece of hallowed ground across the street from the Carter House. With the support of individuals and critical grants, several key parcels have been acquired and a vision cast for the five-acre Carter Cotton Gin Park, which will include a replicated cotton gin, interpretive earthworks and other features that will greatly enhance the Civil War visitor experience.
How You Can Help.
The critical piece of the puzzle is a strip mall, anchored by a Domino’s Pizza. Franklin’s Charge received word in December that the Civil War Trust has offered a matching grant of $500,000 to complete the purchase of that property. The only catch is that the matching funds are to be raised by May 1, 2012.
Every gift made between now and May 1, 2012 has a dollar-for-dollar match, and it is urgently important that we take advantage of this opportunity.
The Carter Cotton Gin Interpretive Park is a $3.5 million project. The Heritage Foundation purchased the first parcel in the 1990s to preserve the original site of the Carter cotton gin. Franklin’s Charge purchased the second parcel for the Park in 2008 for $950,000. This debt was retired in December of 2011. The Civil War Trust has purchased a third Park parcel for $200,000, which will be conveyed to Franklin’s Charge within the next two months.
The fourth parcel, the Domino’s strip center, has a price tag of $1.85 million. Franklin’s Charge applied for and been awarded a $960,000 grant from the Tennessee Department of Transportation. The CWT's matching grant would cover the remaining cost of the property, and all contributions will go directly toward this parcel.
Gifts can be made check, credit card, PayPal or pledge. Franklin’s Charge, Inc., is located at 604 West Main Street, Franklin, TN 37064. Reach us by phone at 615.595.0636 or by email at info@franklinscharge.com.
Battle of Franklin Animated Map
Thanks to the Civil War Preservation Trust, a new animated map of the Tennessee campaign and the Battle of Franklin has been released. Click to view the map. Help lead the charge as continued efforts are made to save the very significant Franklin battlefield.
Recent News:
Franklin's Charge Must Raise Cash to Make Domino's Fall
Encore Presentation of Heading Back Home Film Includes Panel Discussion with Noted Historians
State Helps Fund Battlefield Road
State of Tennessee Awards $500,000 Grant for Eastern Flank Battlefield Loop Road
June Civil War Roundtable Coming Up.
Candids! Check out our latest photos.
Robert Hicks Discusses the Importance of the American Civil War on CBS Sunday Morning.
2011 Marks the Official Start of the Civil War Sesquicentennial
