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Could someone inform me of a way - or pass on to someone who can act on this - how to impress the importance of a 77 acre tract of land along Columbia Pike in Franklin that is and has been for sale.
As you know - last year a purchase of the 110 acre golf course was made - a great stride toward preservation at Franklin. This tract was important as it was the ground across which Bell's dismounted Cav. and Stewart's Corps advanced to the attack at Franklin. It primarily served as an attack position - from which the divisions stepped off for the attack. Only the northern most edges received enemy fire - yet some casualties were definitely inflicted there. Later, with Carnton Mansion only yards away - the area served as a field hospital and even later the Confederate dead were interred at the McGavock Confederate cemetery adjacent to this property. Its significance is great but the land I refer to is as significant if not moreso.
Approximately one mile south of the center of the Federal breastworks - about equi-distant with the recently saved property from the eastern edge of the field - Brown's and Cleburne's divisions of Cheatham's Corps deployed into line of battle in a defilade position. True - they had marched from the vicinity of Winstead Hill to this point - but in column. They actually formed in this vital position - as did Stewart on the east - for preparations for the actual assault. It was from this point that Cleburne rode atop Merrill Hill and borrowed the scope of one of Brown's sharpshooter to observe the condition of the Federal defenses. Upon this property also sat the Merrill House which served as the Headquarters for both Cheatham and Lee during the battle - it was also used as a hospital at which Gen. Brown was taken to after being wounded.
As the battle wore on, men limped or were carried back to the southern slope of this rise - upon which dozens of operating tables were established in the open air with surgeons working feverishly to save the soldiers. And in the days following the battle many Arkansas boys whom had been carried to this point were buried in long slit trenchs fom which they were reinterred in 1866.
The creek that borders the southern egde of the property was the nearest water source for those fighting in the center, and many dead were found along this creek having quelled their last thirst before expiring.
I sent an e-mail to the CWPT but didn't even get a response - about eight months ago. The way I see it - so much is already gone, yet this historically undisturbed land - still pristine though surrounded by development is still historically important - and so much is gone already, can't someone do something?
Someone please take the ball and run with it!!
Jamie Gillum
As you know - last year a purchase of the 110 acre golf course was made - a great stride toward preservation at Franklin. This tract was important as it was the ground across which Bell's dismounted Cav. and Stewart's Corps advanced to the attack at Franklin. It primarily served as an attack position - from which the divisions stepped off for the attack. Only the northern most edges received enemy fire - yet some casualties were definitely inflicted there. Later, with Carnton Mansion only yards away - the area served as a field hospital and even later the Confederate dead were interred at the McGavock Confederate cemetery adjacent to this property. Its significance is great but the land I refer to is as significant if not moreso.
Approximately one mile south of the center of the Federal breastworks - about equi-distant with the recently saved property from the eastern edge of the field - Brown's and Cleburne's divisions of Cheatham's Corps deployed into line of battle in a defilade position. True - they had marched from the vicinity of Winstead Hill to this point - but in column. They actually formed in this vital position - as did Stewart on the east - for preparations for the actual assault. It was from this point that Cleburne rode atop Merrill Hill and borrowed the scope of one of Brown's sharpshooter to observe the condition of the Federal defenses. Upon this property also sat the Merrill House which served as the Headquarters for both Cheatham and Lee during the battle - it was also used as a hospital at which Gen. Brown was taken to after being wounded.
As the battle wore on, men limped or were carried back to the southern slope of this rise - upon which dozens of operating tables were established in the open air with surgeons working feverishly to save the soldiers. And in the days following the battle many Arkansas boys whom had been carried to this point were buried in long slit trenchs fom which they were reinterred in 1866.
The creek that borders the southern egde of the property was the nearest water source for those fighting in the center, and many dead were found along this creek having quelled their last thirst before expiring.
I sent an e-mail to the CWPT but didn't even get a response - about eight months ago. The way I see it - so much is already gone, yet this historically undisturbed land - still pristine though surrounded by development is still historically important - and so much is gone already, can't someone do something?
Someone please take the ball and run with it!!
Jamie Gillum
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