The Carter House Plantation Office and Smoke House

    The two buildings most shot up during the Civil War and still standing today.
    The Carter House, built in 1830 by Fountain Branch Carter, witnessed one of the bloodiest battles during the Civil War on November 30, 1864.
    The modest brick home was commandeered to be used as the Federal Command Post while the Carter family, and two neighboring families, took refuge in the basement. At 4 PM on November 30, 1864, General John Bell Hood gave the order for the Confederate Army of Tennessee CSA to attack the breastworks held by the Federal troops in Franklin. The battle that ensued is now being called "the Gettysburg of the West". The evidence of this battle remains with over 1,000 bullet holes remaining on site, which includes the farm office - known as the most bullet-damaged building that remains standing from the entire Civil War.
    The head of the family, Fountain Branch Carter, a 67-year old widower, had seen 3 of his sons fight for the Confederacy. One son, Theodrick (Tod), was serving as an aid for General T.B. Smith on the battlefield and saw his home for the first time in 3.5 years. Crying out, "Follow me boys, I'm almost home," Captain Tod Carter was mortally wounded and died 2 days later at the Carter House.
    After the battle, like so many homes in Franklin, the parlor of the Carter House was converted into a Confederate field hospital and witnessed many surgeries and amputations.
    Confederate Casualties - 7,200 men, Of the Union forces, 2,326 soldiers were killed.
    More than 2,000 men were killed outright or died of mortal wounds, 5,000 seriously wounded and 702 captured (not including cavalry casualties). 15 out of 28 Confederate Generals were casualties. 69 field grade officers were lost. Also among the casualties that day were 3 doctors and 3 chaplains. Some infantry regiments lost 92 % of their strength at Franklin. There were more men killed in the Confederate Army of Tennessee in the 5- hour battle than in the 2-day Battle of Shiloh and the 3-day Battle of Stones River.

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