BGuthrie Photos: TN -- Franklin -- Winstead Hill

TN -- Franklin -- Winstead Hill:

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Specific picture descriptions: Photos above with "i" icons next to the bracketed sequence numbers (e.g. "[1] ") are described as follows:
1. WIN_140526_013.JPG: Welcome to Winstead Hill Park Winstead Park History Winstead Hill Park is located approximately two miles south of downtown Franklin. The hill's name comes from an early inhabitant of Williamson County, Samuel Winstead, who owned the land. Some 19 years before the Civil War, he executed a handwritten will that provided for the freedom of each of his 70 slaves after the death of he and his wife. The will called for the sale of his property in Franklin and Spring Hill to pay for the safe passage of his slaves to Liberia for their freedom. Following the death of the Winsteads, the State Supreme Court twice upheld the will insuring that remaining funds were distributed to the freed slaves. Mr. Winstead was laid to rest on this property along with several of his slaves. Winstead Hill is part of the Winstead-Breezy Hill range made of high ridges formed along the southern border of the plain of Franklin. The crest of Winstead Hill is 840 feet above mean sea level and approximately 200 feet above the City of Franklin. The landscape consists of open meadows, wildflowers and large stands of trees including Eastern Red cedar growing on thin soils that in many areas expose the Ordovician limestone bedrock. The park's landform is characteristic of that identified in the greater Nashville Basin. Only minor changes have occurred to the site since the Battle of Franklin on Nov. 30, 1864. In 1948, Walter A. Robers deeded 9.75 acres on Winstead Hill to the United Daughters of the Confederacy as a memorial to the Confederate soldiers. In 1954, a stone wall quarried on site was erected with steps and handrails constructed by the United Daughters of the Confederacy. The steps lead to a lookout shelter at the 825 [foot] elevation housing a bronze relief map depicting troop movements during the Battle of Franklin. This lookout shelter, sitting on the adjacent land owned by the Sons of the Confederate Veterans, is still accessible today to the public. The city park property offers a large parking area, multi-use trails, trailhead shelters with interpretive signage, restroom facilities and rest areas. Additional site features include a woodland loop multi-use trail, an amphitheater, and a second small parking facility as future construction.
2. WIN_140526_030.JPG: Winstead Hill Fateful Decision -- Hood's Campaign -- (Preface): In September 1864, after Union Gen. William T. Sherman defeated Confederate Gen. John Bell Hood at Atlant, Hood let the Army of Tennessee northwest against Sherman's supply lines. Rather than contest Sherman's "March to the Sea," Hood moved north into Tennessee. Gen. John M. Schofield, detached from Sherman's army, delayed Hood at Columbia and Spring Hill before falling back to Franklin. The bloodbath here on November 30 crippled the Confederates, but they followed Schofield to the outskirts of Nashville and Union Gen. George N. Thomas's strong defenses. Hood's campaign ended when Thomas crushes his army on December 15-6. On November 30, 1864, in the waning light of a beautiful Indian summer afternoon, Confederate Gen. John Bell Hood stood here and studied Union Gen. John M. Schofield's strong defensive position two miles in front of you. The night before, Schofield's troops had slipped past Hood's army near Spring Hill. Hood decided that he had one final chance here at Franklin to destroy the Federal army before it escaped to Nashville, and he ordered a massive frontal assault. Gen. Benjamin F. "Frank" Cheatham, Patrick R. Cleburne, and Nathan Bedford Forrest - Hood's subordinates - advised against it, with Forrest advocating a flank attack. Hood countered that 5,000-man-strong Federal cavalry could impede any flanking movement to the east. Concerned that daylight was running out and fearing another Federal escape, Hood ordered his general to drive the enemy "in to the river at all hazards." Almost 19,000 Confederate troops formed into line of battle. Cheatham's Coorps extended along both sides of Columbia Pike east and west of here. Farther east, nearly to the Harpeth River, was Gen. A.P. Stewart's Corps. The Southern line was two miles long with 100 regiments, 18 brigades, and 6 divisions. At 4 P.M., a signal flag here on Winstead Hill launched the single largest attack made during the American Civil War. The Federal soldiers never forgot the sheer spectacle of the Confederates sweeping across the fields before you with their bands playing "Dixie" and "The Bonnie Blue Flag." One Union observer later wrote that we were spellbound with admiration, although they were our hated foes."
3. WIN_140526_060.JPG: Tennessee, a Grave or a Free Home No words can describe the courage, endurance, and gallantry of the Army of Tennessee. They marched, fought, bled, or died for a Cause they knew was right. On that Indian Summer afternoon of November 30, 1864, the courageous Army of Tennessee deployed into line of battle and marched over these open fields into immortality. The memory of these heroic souls is as enduring as time. Their legacy is assured; it is only that of everlasting glory. "A life given for one's country is never lost." -- Sam Watkins, 1st Tennessee Infantry, CSA
4. WIN_140526_065.JPG: This plot of 9 acres was donated to the Franklin Chapter No. 14, United Daughters of the Confederacy by the late Walter A. Roberts May 7, 1948
5. WIN_140526_080.JPG: 3" Ordnance Gun Made by and presented to Confederate Memorial Park by Harold Winstead in honor of his ancestor, Samuel Winstead, in whose honor this hill was named and who is buried 200 yds. NW of this location.
6. WIN_140526_089.JPG: Mississippi Twas November Thirtieth, Eighteen Sixty-Four. Mississippi's sons and fathers into battle again were poured. The young and the old, the brave and the bold, their mission all to plain – to charge across what would become Franklin's bloody plain. At Four O'Clock, eighteen brigades that formed the ranks of gray moved against the Yankee foe. Flags flying in grand array, the sight swells the heart with pride for the victory they might gain then breaks it with sorrow for those lost on Franklin's Bloody Plain.
7. WIN_140526_092.JPG: Tennessee On a November afternoon in 1864, brave Confederate Sons of Tennessee moved forward into battle against federal lines entrenched two miles north. Winstead Hill served as the place of assembly and was an observation point during the battle. Courage and sacrifice became the order of the day as nearly 7,000 Confederate Soldiers failed to leave the field of battle. This battle at Franklin was the most brutal of the decisive Tennessee Campaign of the winter of 1864. The Army of Tennessee would fight on until war's end in 1865.
8. WIN_140526_098.JPG: Hood and Schofield Nov. 30, 1864 Schofield, slipping his army past Hood's at Spring Hill, entrenched in the southern edge of Franklin, 2 mi. N. Here Hood attacked him frontally about 4 p.m., sustaining heavy losses. Schofield withdrew to Nashville, Hood followed. Hood's command post during the battle was on the slope 50 yds west.
9. WIN_140526_110.JPG: Brigadier's Walk The sense of pride, honor and integrity of the everyday fighting man of the Army of Tennessee made the brilliant careers of these five Brigadier Generals possible. Largely non-slave owning, these brave men of the Army of Tennessee followed Adams, Carter, Strahl, Gist and Granbury across the fields to your right into certain death that November afternoon. Please pause for a moment of respect to their memory!
10. WIN_140526_119.JPG: John Adams Tennessee born John Adams was a West Point graduate. He was commissioned Brigadier to rank from December 29, 1862, after assuming command of Maryland born Lloyd Tilghman's Brigade. Joining the Army of Tennessee at Resaca in May of 1864, the Brigade served gallantly throughout the Atlanta Campaign. At Franklin the Brigade consisted of all Mississippi Regiments; 6th, 14th, 15th, 20th, 23rd, & 43rd. Having been forced to angle toward the center due to the osage hedges, the Brigade made one of the most spectacular assaults of the day! Despite taking a severe wound in the arm, Adams remained mounted and drove straight for the colors of the 65th Illinois. Less than 30 feet from the parapet Adams spurred his beloved "Old Charley" to jump the ditch and parapet. He fell and was pinned beneath his horse, as the Union Colonel of the 65th looked on, and died shortly thereafter. Adams is buried in Pulaski, Tennessee.
11. WIN_140526_122.JPG: John C. Carter Commissioned Brigadier to rank from July 7, 1864, Carter had worked his way up from the rank of Captain by distinguishing himself with The Army of Tennessee at Shiloh, Perryville, Murfreesboro & Chickamauga. Taking part in the Atlanta Camapaign, Carter was in temporary command of Cheatham's Division at The Battle of Jonesboro. Attacking to the left of Gist's Brigade at Franklin, Carter's Regiments; the 1st, 4th Provisional, 6th, 8th, 9th, 16th, 27th,28th and 50th Tennessee were "torn by canister and musketry before they reached the locust abatis". Carter rode recklessly in front of his Brigade espousing the "Lead by Example" credo that had come to be the norm in The Army of Tennessee. Less than 150 yards from the works, Carter tumbled from his horse, shot through the body. Shortly thereafter "His Boys" of the 1st Tennessee penetrated the Federal Works. He died on December 10, 1864 at The Harrison House and was laid to rest at Rose Hill Cemetery in Columbia, Tennessee.
12. WIN_140526_127.JPG: States Rights Gist The tragedy of Franklin quite possibly may have been averted had this scholarly South Carolina Blue Blood been given the promotion to division command that his service record warranted. Completely reorganizing the state of South Carolina's Militia, this South Carolina College graduate made sure his home state was ready when Lincoln was elected. Taking command of Barnard Bee's Brigade after Bee's death at First Manassas, Gist was promoted to Brigadier General on March 20, 1862. He fought gallantly at Chickamauga, Chattanooga, and in the Atlanta Camapign. As the Brigade assembled in front of Franklin on November 30, 1864, it was still smarting (the 24th SC in particular) from the lack of initiative that had deprived it of victory the night before at Spring Hill. The Brigade, made up of the 46th, 65th & 2nd Battalion Georgia Sharpshooters, and the 16th and Crack 24th South Carolina slammed into the 72nd Illinois & 111th Ohio causing the 72nd to "Break and Run". Having his horse shot from under him, Gist sprinted for the locust abatis in his front. Advancing to within a few yards of the abatis, Gist went down with a bullet in the chest. He died the next morning at The Harrison House. He was buried, first in a private cemetery in Franklin, then and finally, at the Trinity Episcopal Church in Columbia, South Carolina.
13. WIN_140526_132.JPG: Brigadier General Hiram B. Granbury Confederate States of America Commander, Texas Brigade Army of Tennessee Born March 1, 1831 Died on this field November 30, 1864 A moment before he fell, he urged his Texans on: "Forward, men, forward! Never let it be said that Texans lag in a fight!" They never did, and neither did he. God rest his soul. This monument erected through the dedication of Austin Civil War Roundtable - Austin, Texas Society of the Order of the Southern Cross Stasswender Memorials - Austin, Texas City of Granbury, Texas A.S. Johnston Chapter, No. 105, U.D.C. - Austin , Texas & other friends who also ** fresh undaunted courage.
14. WIN_140526_164.JPG: Repair of these steps and east wall of the overlook completed by Commander Richard Rust and the officers and men of the Sam Davis Camp 1293, Sons of Confederate Veterans. Funding provided by Sam Hood of Ashland, Kentucky. Mr. Hood is a direct descendent of Lt. Gen. John Bell "Sam" Hood CSA who used Winstead Hill as his observation post during the battle of Franklin on 30 November 1864.
15. WIN_140526_167.JPG: With gratitude for his unselfish contributions to Winstead Hill in both labor and personal funds, this area is dedicated to Mr. Robert N. Herbert
16. WIN_140526_191.JPG: Battle of Franklin (left side) Here occurred one of the most desperately fought battles of the entire War Between the States, between (USA) forces under Maj. Gen. John M. Schofield, and the attacking (CSA) Army of Tennessee, under Gen. John B. Hood. Maj. Gen. George H. Thomas, commanding (USA) Tennessee Dept. had placed forces of Schofield in the area around Pulaski, Tenn. (50 miles south), to contest Hood's (CSA) advance north into Tennessee. Hood's intent was to move on Nashville there to defeat (USA) forces under Thomas, thus cutting rail and other supply lines to Sherman and other (USA) in the Atlanta - Chattanooga areas. As Hood drove northward, Schofield retreated until overtaken by Hood (CSA) at Columbia (23 miles south). Crossing Duck River east of Columbia, Hood almost succeeded in getting in Schofield's rear at Spring Hill (10 miles south) but due to miscarriage of (CSA) orders, Schofield escaped northward when within gunshot of the Confederate forces. Enraged and frustrated, Hood threw most of his army, but with very little artillery present, against the strongest part of Schofield's (USA) forces.
17. WIN_140526_194.JPG: Battle of Franklin (right side) About 16,000 Confederates were in action, the Corps of Stephen D. Lee and most of the (CSA) artillery having been left at Columbia to detain Schofield. The attack was brief but bloody: the (CSA) made furious charges between 3:30 and 9:00 P.M. with severe losses. In two (CSA) brigades, all general and field officers were killed or wounded: a major commanded Brown's entire division at the end of the action. In the two (CSA) assaulting corps, a major general, five brigadiers and 13 regimental commanders were killed: a major general, 4 brigadiers, and 33 regimental commanders wounded, with one brigadier general captured: 8 regimental commanders were missing. Total (CSA) casualties were over 6,300 in killed, wounded and missing. (USA) forces numbered about 22,000, most of whom were in the action. Killed, wounded and missing numbered over 2,300. One general officer was wounded. By midnight, November 30, Schofield withdrew to Nashville: Hood followed closely the next day and invested the city. The decisive Battle of Nashville followed Dec. 15-16.
18. WIN_140526_276.JPG: Winstead Hill Observation Post Battle of Franklin Wed. November 30, 1864 "The line advanced at 4pm with orders to drive the enemy into or across the Big Harpeth River... Never did troops fight more gallantly." Gen. John Bell Hood Army of Tennessee Confederate States of America
19. WIN_140526_294.JPG: Future amphitheater
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Description of Subject Matter: Winstead Hill was used by John Bell Hood to watch the Battle of Franklin on November 30, 1864. The battle was a horrible defeat for the Confederates and is one of the battles mentioned in the movie "Gone with the Wind." The hill is now a local park which features a relief of the battle as well as commemorative markers to the Confederate generals who died in the battle. The markers include the following quotes:
- Maj Gen Patrick R Cleburne: "Well, Govan, if we are to die, let us die like men"
- Brig Gen Hiram B Granbury: a moment before he fell, he urged his Texans on -- "Forward men, forward! Never let it be said that Texans lag in a fight!"
- States Rights Gist
- John C Carter
- Otho F. Strahl
- John Adams
  
  Hood and Schofield, November 30, 1864:
  Schofield, slipping his army past Hood's at Spring Hill, entrenched in the southern edge of Franklin, 2 mile north. Here Hood attacked him frontally about 4pm, sustaining heavy losses. Schofield withdrew to Nashville. Hood followed. Hood's command post during the battle was on the slope 50 yards west.
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- Directly Related Pages: Other pages with content (TN -- Franklin -- Winstead Hill) directly related to this one: [Display ALL photos on one page]:
  - 2006_TN_Winstead: TN -- Franklin -- Winstead Hill (22 photos from 2006)
  - 2000_TN_Winstead: TN -- Franklin -- Winstead Hill (23 photos from 2000)
  - 1998_TN_Winstead: TN -- Franklin -- Winstead Hill (19 photos from 1998)
  - 1997_TN_Winstead: TN -- Franklin -- Winstead Hill (5 photos from 1997)
- Same Subject: Click on this link to see coverage of items having the same subject: [Civil War] [Park (Local)] [Vistas]
- 2014 photos: Trips this year: three Civil War Trust conferences (Winchester, VA, Nashville, TN, and Atlanta, GA), Michigan to visit mom in the hospice before she died and then a return trip after she died, and my 9th consecutive San Diego Comic-Con trip (including Las Vegas, Reno, Carson City, Sacramento, Oakland, and Los Angeles). Ego strokes: Paul Dickson used one of my photos as the author photo in his book "Aphorisms: Words Wrought by Writers". Equipment this year: I mostly used my Fuji XS-1 camera but, depending on the event, I also used a Nikon D7000. Number of photos taken this year: just over 470,000.
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