Retreat Action at Franklin

On Dec 17, 1864, perhaps the largest cavalry engagement on American soil took place along Franklin Pike and the Nashville & Decatur RR, sweeping across what is now Harlinsdale farm. Maj Gen James H. Wilson’s US Cavalry Corps pursued Hood’s retreating rear guard of Brig Gen Abraham Buford’s CSA Cavalry Div. Their retreat was covered by CSA Brig Gen Randall Gibson’s 13th, 16th and 19th Louisiana Infantry, E.W. Pettus’ Brigade, and, posted along Franklin’s Front Street, H.M. Bledsoe’s Artillery Battery. On the eastern flank, Fed. Brig Gen John H. Hammond's 1st Brigade US Cavalry, of Brig Gen Joseph Knipe’s 7th US Div, advanced under heavy fire across Liberty Pike near the railroad. Capt Volney Hobson, Co E, 9th Indiana Cavalry, was reportedly killed at the Liberty Pike railroad underpass.

Franklin, Tennessee · United States