The soldier's friend

30 November 1864

Battle of Franklin (1864)

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which, in all probability, would seal the fate of our nation. Hope and fear ebbed and flowed as day and night passed by. Ere long the news reached us of the terrible battle of Franklin, on the 30th of November, 1864, and the great loss of life. Many brave Tennesseeans, whose hearts throbbed in anxiety at the thought of again throwing off their exile, and meeting wives and little ones, only reached the promised land to shed their life's blood on their own soil, almost at their own threshold, and without being per- mitted to see the faces of loved ones who were waiting and watching for the return of husband, son, brother, or father. Many brave hearts throbbed with pride at the thought of being allowed the privilege of offering their lives on the altar of their own native State, in trying to break the bonds of tyranny which had been woven around them. Many of the best men that an army could boast of fell in the battle of Franklin, Tennessee.' Where is the army, or the country, that can boast of braver men than the much lamented Cleburne, and others who fell at that time? Nothwithstanding Tennessee was only his home by adop- tion, yet his heart was fully enlisted in her cause ; and when a call for volunteers was made, none were more ready to respond than General Pat. Cleburne. His hopes of the success of the South were sanguine to the last hour of life. But, oh, the many hopes so fondly cherished are gone with him, and quenched in the exile hero's grave.

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be enshrined in the hearts of their surviving comrades and all lovers of the Southern cause. They are resting their long sweet rest by the side of the exiled Cleburne, whose name is an honor to the Emerald Isle. Men from all the States had the honor of breathing their last at Franklin with this noble representative of the down-trodden Isle.

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I will now try and interest you for a few moments about our army movements. I suppose you heard of the battle at Franklin, where the enemy was routed and driven from their breastworks, with a supposed loss, as near as we can learn, of four thousand killed and wounded. Prepara- tions have been made here for transporting four thousand prisoners over this road to Corinth. Keports here to-day are that our troops occupy Nashville, the enemy falling back toward Bowling Green. Our loss in- generals has been very heavy — two killed and six wounded. The details of the battle have not yet been received here. Our loss is supposed to be about sixteen hundred in killed and wounded. So you see the work goes bravely on, and if continued, our proud old Tennessee will once more be free. God grant it may ! We now have possession of Huntsville, Decatur, Athens, Columbia, and are running the captured trains on the other side of the river. West Tennessee is clear of Yanks, with the exception of Memphis. My opin- ion, which is not worth much, is, that we will soon have peace.

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Poor Ogle Love was killed at the battle of Franklin, and McHenry was taken prisoner, so I believe that I am the only one of the old rats who is left.