American Civil War: Hood Bled at Franklin

November 30, 1864 - General John Bell Hood (left) is repulsed at the Battle of Franklin. Moving towards Nashville with two corps to rejoin with Maj. Gen. George Thomas, Maj. Gen. John Schofield was forced to make a stand at Franklin, TN while bridges over the Harpeth River were repaired. Pursued by Gen. John Bell Hood's larger Army of Tennessee, which had engaged Schofield the day before at Spring Hill, Union troops constructed a series of fortifications south of the town. Arriving at Franklin on the afternoon of November 30, Hood, against the wishes of his officers, prepared to assault Schofield's position. Attacking all along the Union line, Confederate forces were repulsed with heavy casualties. In the fighting, fifteen Confederate generals were either killed or wounded. Though he had won a victory, Schofield withdrew that night and pressed on to Nashville.

Photograph Courtesy of National Archives & Records Administration