Soldier burial in Franklin

[Mcguire]

I just receieved the front page of the Franklin Review Appeal from a friend who lives there. The reburial of the soldier that was found is covered. The article was written before the ceremony took place. I was wondering if anybody who frequents the forum was invoved in the ceremony or if they had a chance to at least view it. My friend wrote of neighbors remarking that "...downtown Franklin traffic was a mess because of the ceremony." Was it because of the ceremony itself that traffic was affected or was it due to significant turnout and interest? I would like to here from anyone who attended.

[MissAnnaMae]

Re: Soldier burial in Franklin

David-
Several people on the forum were in attendance. Trish H. and I were only at the burial, and in street clothes, as we literally sped from the Race for the Cure that morning in Brentwood in order to make the burial. We found the crowd to be orderly and the service poignant and respectful. Others may have more elaborate experiences to share but we are glad to say we were there.

[Craig L Barry]

Re: Soldier burial in Franklin

Todd Watts and I were in the honor guard, plus a couple other odd jobs (guard duty, usher). Others there from the AC Forum...Russel Dykes, Brian Hicks, Jon Harris and Landrum. It was very well attended by the public, the two elderly gentlemen whose fathers fought at Franklin were a highlight for me. I wrote a guest editorial on it for The Watchdog column in Civil War News with more of the details.

[BrianHicks]

Re: Soldier burial in Franklin

Estimates are about three thousand people lining the street from the Church to the cemetery. The public square in front of the courthouse, as well as the road from the church, through the square and down to the cemetery were all closed to traffic for about six hours that day. This is why traffic was so disrupted.

[Jon The Beloved]

Re: Soldier burial in Franklin

I'd say there were around 30-40 represented from our forum's roster.. just saying. It was QUITE a day to be remembered.

[biggumbo]

Re: Soldier burial in Franklin

Echoing Jon's comments, that seems about right regarding participation of folks who may frequent this forum. There was a great amount of enthusiasm and attendance from the town for the entire service, as well as attendance. I had spoken with some of the coordinators after standing guard over the remains in the church, and they said that they had over 1000 folks sign the guest book during the time he lay in state in the church prior to the service on Saturday.

The city of Franklin should be commended for the buy-in to the service, especially the coordination/permission to allow the funeral procession from the church to the cemetery. The route was lined with attendees from both the town and all reaches of the country. After the ceremony I spoke with many people who had driven in from surrouding cities and states just that morning, bringing their children so they could experience this unique and moving event. I think that was especially nice, seeing parents instilling the sense of respect and appreciation for something that we here all feel so vehemently.

One other great thing was that there were two actual sons of ACW veterans there -- not grandsons, or any other 'g' prefix, but sons! Think of that, in 2009! And those two were pretty damn spunky for being 90 years old! The gent who was the son of the CS soldier, James Brown, was even sporting a Shell Jacket with wooden buttons [although I didn't get a chance to ask him who made it ]

All in all, it was an honor to be able to participate in an event like this that was real, that paid the proper respect to one of the thousands who live and died during this conflict.


Travis

[Craig L Barry]

Re: Soldier burial in Franklin

Travis
I know we corresponded apriori, did you make it up for the event?

[biggumbo]

Re: Soldier burial in Franklin

Yes, sorry I didn't get a chance to formally introduce myself when there, I was up with the 37th TN and had volunteered for the dust ceremony. It was certainly an experience that I'll always cherish. It was also my first opportunity to see not only the Franklin battelfield but also that of Stone's River the day before, two "must-see's" on my list I was very happy to get to experience.


Travis

[coastaltrash]

Re: Soldier burial in Franklin

David,
Yup I was there. Met up with Jon Harris and Russ Dykes at the Carter House, headed to downtown for breakfast. It was pretty neat to walk down Main Street in Franklin, stop at the pub, stack arms outside of it and eat! And that wasn't even the great part of the day!

Sure, there were some REALLY bad impressions etc, but the ceremony wasn't about that. Now granted I did get some chuckles at some of the variety walking about, but I really thought the ceremony was well done and something I will always fondly remember. It also further drove me in debt with Craig. I, oddly enough, rarely talk to people unless I know them, but I must say, the guys in the 37th Tennessee have great kits, great attitudes and were very kind.

[37thtenn]

Re: Soldier burial in Franklin

Thanks Patrick,
We put pride in our impressions.

[Mcguire]

Re: Soldier burial in Franklin

David,
Yup I was there. Met up with Jon Harris and Russ Dykes at the Carter House, headed to downtown for breakfast. It was pretty neat to walk down Main Street in Franklin, stop at the pub, stack arms outside of it and eat! And that wasn't even the great part of the day!

Sure, there were some REALLY bad impressions etc, but the ceremony wasn't about that. Now granted I did get some chuckles at some of the variety walking about, but I really thought the ceremony was well done and something I will always fondly remember. It also further drove me in debt with Craig. I, oddly enough, rarely talk to people unless I know them, but I must say, the guys in the 37th Tennessee have great kits, great attitudes and were very kind.

Stack arms outside a pub in downtown Franklin, DAMN!! Anybody want to buy a house in Michigan! If I could rid myself I would relocate to Tenn. so fast it would'nt be funny. I would have loved to have taken part in this ceremony too. It sounds like the type of experience that gives one goosebumps. It would have been an honor and a privledge to have finally laid to rest, in a dignified manner, one of the boys of 61.

Patrick, you talked to me at Duck River and I enjoyed the chat as well as meeting tou personally years after you first encouraged me to make my first plunge at LBL. Thanks for the feedback on this event.

In fact, thanks to everyone who has responded. Keep "those cards and letters" coming! I am very interested in hearing from others perspectives from this once in a lifetime experience.

[Todd Watts]

Re: Soldier burial in Franklin

It was indeed a honor to not only be in the procession, but be among the firing-salute detail at the cemetery. Franklin as a town has finally awakened to the importance of its own Civil War heritage and is trying to save and restrore what it has left. Finding that man and doing such a good job re-burying him will help the town see the value even more.

[BrianHicks]

Re: Soldier burial in Franklin

Below is a link to a site with about 104 pictures of the funeral procession in Franklin.

Be forewarned.... some of the images will not be pleasant, some will make you sick... and others will just make you roll your eyes.

http://cmd.shutterfly.com/commands/p...ralpr&album=26

[Philo]

Re: Soldier burial in Franklin

Somber occasion with honor shown.....but amongst other things I could not help but notice the backwards Hardee hat on the "General" outside of the church.

:wink_smil

[Todd Watts]

Re: Soldier burial in Franklin

Quite a few of the people in the ceremony are not living historians / re-enactors at all. For a few weeks prior, The Blockade Runner was getting big Franklin muckity-mucks coming in buying dresses and uniforms from them to use probably just this once. The CS officer leading the procession for instance I am quite sure has never heard of Hardee's Tactics as he was giving those of us in the firing salute detail some of the strangest commands I ever heard. "Present-arms-load" comes immediately to mind. There was one CS general I saw that had a really sharp gray leisure-suit with creases you could cut yourself on with black wing-tips walking down the road in front of Craig and me after it was all over. And I am not sure how many "greiving widows" that soldier really deserved, but judging by the throngs all wearing nearly identical Blockade Runner dresses following the casket he must have had a rather homely harem in life.:D