
Carnton Plantation
Posted by:
LSUMonica
N 35° 54.214 W 086° 51.506
16S E 512774 N 3973261
Carnton Plantation, built circa 1815, served a major role in the Battle of Franklin, TN in 1864.
Waymark Code: WMA00
Location: Tennessee, United States
Date Posted: 04/06/2006
Views: 75
Carnton Plantation
Carnton was built ca. 1815 by Randal McGavock (1768 - 1843), planter, political leader and mayor of Nashville. Named after the McGavock home in Northern Ireland, the house was greatly enlarged by Randal ca. 1826. His son, John, later added the Greek revival porches, one of which served as an observation post for General Nathan B. Forrest during the Battle of Franklin, Nov. 30, 1864. After the Battle, Carnton served as a hospital. The bodies of Generals Adams, Cleburne, Granbury and Strahl rested on the back porch the next morning. Carnton was acquired by the Carnton Association in 1978.
Possibly the bloodiest five hours of the Civil War took place at the Battle of Franklin. On November 30, 1864 Carton was engulfed by Confederate troops moving towards well-entrenched Federal troops and a devastating battle. Later the mansion housed hundreds of the more than 6,000 Confederate casualties leaving the floors permanently blood stained. Adjoining the property is the McGavock Confederate Cemetery.