Fort Granger

Located along Figuers Bluff overlooking the Harpeth River, Fort Granger, named for Union Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger, was well situated to control transportation in and out of Franklin. U.S. Corps of Engineers Capt. William E. Merrill supervised its construction beginning early in 1863, during the second year of the Federal occupation of Middle Tennessee, after numerous small engagements had already taken place in and around Truine, Franklin, Brentwood, Nolensville, Thompson’s Station, and Spring Hill. In February, Union Gen. William S. Rosecrans ordered Granger to build the fort to protect the railroad and garrison the town, and in March Granger reported that the fortifications would be done in about one week, that about 10 days’ rations and one hundred and fifty to each man were on hand, and that no infantry was coming in. The fort took ten weeks to complete and housed 7,900 Federal soldiers and 2,700 cavalrymen. Multiple campsites, drill fields, sentry posts, and storage facilities dotted once open fields northeast and west of the fort, including barracks in the town, and a contraband camp for escaped slaves stood near the fort. Battery crews drilled at least once a week, firing the cannons for practice. On April 10, 1863, the battery used the cannons in combat during a Franklin reconnaissance raid by Confederate Gens. Nathan B. Forrest and Earl Van Dorn. By May, Fort Granger contained 6 large siege guns, including two 24-pounder howitzers, and 24 smaller field cannon. On June 4-5 the guns defended against Confederate cavalry on the outskirts of town. By mid-1863, Rosecrans had moved much of his army to Tullahoma, but detached regiments continued to man the fort from June 1863 to May 1865. During the Battle of Franklin on November 30, 1864, Union Gen. John M. Schofield observed the fighting from Fort Granger.

Franklin, Tennessee · United States