Epic Struggle in the Carter Garden

Before the Civil War, this area formed about a two-acre Carter family garden where crops such as potatoes, okra, raspberries, apples, and peaches were grown. On November 30, 1864, the garden was destroyed when Federal troops dug part of their main defensive line through it and vicious fighting swept across it. The 72nd Illinois Infantry held the main line here, and those troops, together with the rest of Brig. Gen. Thomas H. Ruger’s Division, were assaulted by elements of Maj. Gen. John C. Brown’s Confederate Division. This part of the line collapsed under the attack and fell back to a reserve line manned by the 44th Missouri Infantry. From sunset well into the night, the fighting was desperate and often hand-to-hand until the Confederates finally withdrew.

Franklin, Tennessee · United States