Any damage to the Franklin battlefield?

[Becky Morgan]

Someone from Franklin said things were most unpleasant there at the moment. I understand the Carter House should be fine, but are any of the low-lying parts of the battlefield apt to sustain damage?

As a side note, while I was looking at river stages it's worth noting that two of the Cumberland River's top ten crests were during the period--52.20 feet at Nashville on March 1, 1862 and 52.10 feet on March 10, 1865:

http://water.weather.gov/ahps2/hydrograph.php?wfo=ohx&gage=nast1

[Matt Woodburn]

Re: Any damage to the Franklin battlefield?

Becky,

The Carter House and the property in that area is on a high hill, so no problems there. Fort Granger is up very high and with the new drain that was installed at the low end of the fort at our last big event, it's fine. At Carnton, they had to have some people walk out through water as the water got high over there. It's close to the Harpeth River which was Schofield's impediment that caused the battle in 1864. The old house is on a rise, but the Fleming Visitor's Center is not. It flooded just after opening during a much milder rain. I have not heard how it fared. As for the eastern flank part of the battlefield, it has been flooded but not much of a big deal as it's just land. Many of the roads around here have been closed due to the flooding, and you could only approach Franklin from the south on Columbia Pike as the three other roads were closed for a day and a half. I've not heard much more as I have been pumping water out of my basement.

[Becky Morgan]

Re: Any damage to the Franklin battlefield?

Thanks for the reply, and I hope your basement dries out well. I've read a good bit about the battle, but haven't been on the field, so all I had was that general sense of "Carter house and Carnton up, everything else down".

[PogueMahone]

Re: Any damage to the Franklin battlefield?

The pre-Civil War cemetary, where they recently buried an unknown presumed Union Soldier with great ceremony was under water sufficiently to cover the majority of headstones. It is maybe 100 yards from the Harpeth River. Waters should be receding today.

[Remember1864]

Re: Any damage to the Franklin battlefield?

The Battle of Franklin Trust, (which oversees operations at both Historic Carnton and The Carter House), is operating under the "business as usual" mindset. No damage to the main, historic structures on both sites. The Fleming Center, (Carnton VC), is safe and sound. Guided tours are available 7 days a week.