The Cotton Gin Assault

On November 30, 1864, elements of four Confederate divisions rushed into this area as they assaulted the Federal lines near the Carter cotton gin. The area was crossed largely by troops from Maj. Gen. Patrick Cleburne’s Division, flooded by men from Maj. Gen. Samuel French’s Division, and entered by some from Maj. Gen. John Brown’s and Maj. Gen. Edward Walthall’s division. The Southern troops charged into the section of the Federal line between Columbia Pike and the gin held by Brig. Gen. James Reilly’s Brigade. Two pieces of Ohio artillery just north near the cotton gin inflicted horrific Confederate losses, yet the assault led by Cleburne’s troops broke the Federal line and vicious hand-to-hand fighting erupted. Southern troops from Tennessee, Mississippi, Texas, Arkansas, Missouri, and Alabama poured through this area to fight Federal opponents from Ohio, Kentucky, Illinois, and Tennessee. The power of the Southern assault caused the 100th Ohio and some of the 104th Ohio to abandon their positions, and four pieces of Kentucky artillery were captured by the Confederates. However, a countercharge by the 12th Kentucky, 16th Kentucky, 175th Ohio, 8th Tennessee, 44th Illinois, and 74th/88th Illinois retook the artillery and forced the Confederates back. When the Battle of Franklin ended, perhaps as many as 9,500 men were killed, wounded, missing, or captured.

Franklin, Tennessee · United States