By the request of many of our viewers, we have added narration to our already existing original set of battle maps. We appreciate your support and hope you enjoy the update! For our more modern animated maps, please visit the top of our Animated Battle Maps playlist kzfaq.info/sun/PLZrhqv_T1O1sdxRNm5SNc6cGSWr7xiWZs.

I've never found anything as easy to understand and as enlightening as these animated battle videos. They really are the best way to show what really happened.

I’m not sure why nobody ever mentions Hood’s charge at Franklin when it comes to pure loss of human life, it was twice as bad as Pickett’s charge at Gettysburg, but Franklin came later in the war and didn’t have that military aura that Gettysburg had.

My great great grandfather fought in Franklin about 10 miles from his home. Our blood line is still here in Williamson county

Hood at Gettysburg: "This assault is ridiculous. PLEASE let me move around them." Hood at Franklin: "I shall die historic on the Fury Road! WITNESS ME BROTHER!!!!!"

Seeing how the South had far fewer men to draw from compared to the North, to lose 7k over their 2.5k is quite the disaster

My g-grandfather Marquis D. L. Price was in the 17th/18th Texas Cavalry (dismounted), Granbury's Brigade, Cleburne's Division. He was one of Cleburne's Sharpshooters and right in the middle of the front line of the Franklin attack, within just a few yards of both Cleburne and Granbury when they fell. He later described to my grandmother how when they were pinned in front of the Union barricades, a couple of fellow soldiers loaded rifles for him and he would quickly stand up and fire across. I can't imagine how he survived.

Very honored to have visited this ground. It's a sobering and hallowed feeling to see the bullet holes in the facade of the Carter House and to stand in the front yard where the great hand to hand clash took place. More people need to know about this horrific battle.

My G-Great Uncle, Charles Rufus Ellis, was a Pvt in the 57th Indiana, Lane's Brigade, Wagner's Division. He survived the war and rests in Yellow Springs, Ohio.

Another show called the Franklin/Nashville campaign the last gasp of the Confederacy. I think that description fits. General Grant had done what multiple Union Commanders had failed to do which was to Take Robert E. Lee and the Army of Northern Virginia out of the war since they were trapped at Petersburg. Hood's army was the last Confederate Army with freedom of movement. His army was wrecked at Franklin.

This battle really shows the difference in man power between the armies 7k Confederate losses to 2.5k union losses was essentially destroying the army of Tennessee and yet in battles like Cold Harbor and Fredericksburg with 13k+ casualties for the union and less than 5k casualties in either battle for the Confederates and the federal army shakes it off gets more reinforcements and continues moving. Its crazy to think how long the Confederates held out against odds like that.

My gg grandfather was at Franklin in the Union Army. He had moved down by riding the train on flat cars. He described to my grandmother sitting on the side of the flat car looking at a river.

This was the only civil war battle where the band advance with the troops. A Confederate soldier later said ""The tooters went in with the shooters.

Truly an overlooked and underrated battle. One of the bloodiest of the "irrepressible conflict."

Greatly enjoy (and appreciate) all of these, but this one is kind of special since I live in Granbury. Seeing Hood, Granbury, and Cleburne all on the map really brings some of the history - quite literally - home.

Since moving to Tennessee, I've been learning a lot more about the Western theater of the Civil War. I'd never even heard of the Battle of Franklin before, and this animation and narration provides a clear and concise overview of a brutal battle.

My Confederate Ancestor Pvt Thomas Lawrence McAbee Co H 16th South Carolina Infantry fought at this battle under Brig. Gen. States Rights Gists at this battle and was joined up with the Army of Tennessee under Gen. John Bell Hood!

"Realizing the futility of attacking an entreched Federal army in Atlanta, Confederate general John Bell Hood..." ...proceeded to attack an entrenched Federal army in another town.

“We were lavish of blood in those days, and it was thought to be a great thing to charge a battery of artillery or an earthwork lined with infantry.” D.H. Hill.

My GGG-uncle died here. He was a 2nd Lieutenant in the 7th Mississippi Battalion Infantry who I believe was ultimately under the control of General A.P. Stewart as mentioned and shown in the video on the right side advance.

The death of Todd Carter reminds me of the death of my great great great granduncle who died at shiloh, where his family had been living

Colonel Opdycke charged into the battle firing his pistol. When he ran out of ammo, he started clubbing Confederates with the grip until it broke. Then he picked up a musket and used that.

I lived in Franklin, TN for a few years. Knew nothing of this epic battle before moving there. Franklin is buying up the land to preserve the battlefield and I hope they succeed. This is too significant a battle to not have a greater collective awareness of.

You guys should just release a full Civil War series....like the 30 most important battles.

I've been to the Carter House and Carnton Plantation. Both were truly amazing experiences.

I searched Franklin the BBQ and this came up. Thumbs up, great video.

Great series!! To notch work, I hope you continue them.

So when my grandmother was a child in Franklin, they would still find items from the battle. This would have been in the 1920’s. So these things weren’t just out in the open. But many were unearthed during her childhood. She would tell me about them finding soldier buttons, some mini balls, a wheel off a Gatling and even a couple of broken guns. She said her brother put on a ragged grey jacket they found and they pretended they were shooting each other with the pieces I guns. She had no idea what happened to these things. Because as young children, they had no idea how important to history they were. And they were probably just careless with them, tossing them wherever. But their parents should’ve known. Guess they just didn’t take them home with them. She also said that in her youth, there were still many people around that were there during the battle. And even some veterans. But for the most part, people didn’t talk about it much. It really took a huge toll on Franklin and most just wanted the memory of the devastation to fade. She went to some kind of a garden party event at Carnton Plantation in her teens. And she said seeing the many graves is when she really understood the devastation of it all. And she also understood that those items they used as toys really meant something. And that they belonged to men who lost their lives brutally. It shook her

This is considered as the Pickett's Charge of the West.

These battle maps are exceptional... there is a real need for them for... Wilson Creek... Pea Ridge ... and Prairie Grove... HINT HINT!!!...

Outstanding job you do and please keep it up

Have reviewed a few of the American Battlefield Trust presentations on the Battle of Franklin and two from History Traveler. I absolutely enjoy any well-done animated battle maps and this view has been an excellent culmination of all viewings on Franklin. Thanks. I surely enjoyed. I believe had Hood won and routed the Union Troops, this could have been a "Game Changer" to affect the final outcome of the war. Possibly, the favorable terms that the South was desiring. Surely, this would have continued the Civil War and played into favoring the South. Some forgotten history that needs to be told and surely preserved. Despite what some may believe today. A history buff from Massachusetts. Again, Thanks.

American Battlefield Trust, could y’all make a map video about Stones River? There is very little videos concerning the battle, and it was a crucial battle in the war.

At 7:35 there is a historical inaccuracy. Arthur McArthur Sr. was grandfather to Douglas McArthur, not father. For Sr to have been his father Douglas would have had to have been 75+ during the Second World War, an âge at which he wouldn’t have been able to trek across the South Pacific.

great video--will watch it again. It really points out how Hood especially and the others that the south is so proud of the statues basically ordered suicide assaults -- cannon fodder. You would think he would be the last to make statues of

Hood had the audacity to say a few years later that he left the Army of Tennessee in better shape than he found it in. I guess I can say the same thing about the people who took over my old neighborhood in the 1970s.

Such an excellent series! Thank you and continue the good work.

I recall recently viewing a program on the battle of Franklin hosted by a local man involved in preservation, and promotion of the history of the battle. He showed a photo of the area after the battle with a building that survived in the background. Then indicated that the building still stood and had been acquired by their local historical society. In making repairs to the building, the plaster was removed from the interior walls to reveal the original sheathing boards. They were perforated like a poka dot design with bullet holes from the battle. They surmised that after the battle the exterior clapboard siding and interior plaster had to be replaced, but the sheathing boards were not replaced as they do as they were. The society put up plexiglass on the exterior instead of clapboard siding so the visitor can see the bullet holes as they were from the battle.

These are wonderful. Thanks.

This is awesome!! Thanks so much!

Great job!

How was i suposed to know id be one of the 100 first to click this video. I wanna see it as soon as it comes out. This channel has singelhandedly made the amarican revolution my biggest interest after the napolionic wars. Thank you for uploading such quality content friends! Cheers from sweden

Excellent overview. Thank You.

Animation really helps tremendously understand the battle whereas the printed page describes but informs little.

Well done! NOW I understand! Thank you!

My great grandfather fought for the union. Tennessee 12 Calvary. He would survive the war and go on to have many grandchildren

I found this to be very helpful, and love the hard work you put into it.

These videos are SOOO GOOD!

Always great hearing about Forest Gumps name sakes role in the War

This a very good representation of what happened at the Battle of Franklin. It is made clear by this animated map that Hood's poor reconnaissance work, impatience, and logistical ineptitude cost the once vaunted Army of Tennessee not only many men but also its fighting spirit. And though the Army of Tennessee did continue to fight on right into 1865, Franklin and Nashville made it quite clear that the Army of Tennessee had been actually destroyed.

Wow it's amazing how the Confederates lost that many generals and officers in such a short time frame. The war was probably decided by this point anyway, but that's gotta hurt losing so many generals and officers.

Good stuff for sure, just riveting!

My maternal great great grandfather was in the 39 Mississippi - I’m glad he made it thru Franklin safe only to be almost killed at Spanish fort by a sharpshooter. Amazing anyone made it out of Franklin. My grandfather was told stories by him about bleeding feet, shaking bones- empty stomachs- but they went on! Deo vindice. And he lost a brother at Gettysburg with the Madison artillery

@6:50 "Brig. Gen. States Rights Gist" the man was a meme

Fantastic and heartbreaking.♥️✝️💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐

Nicely done.

Excellent presentation!!!

Great History …….from across the pond 👏🇮🇲

these clips are such a great birdseye view

Thanks for sharing this so interesting video.

There is a park ranger talk on Forrest and I guess his high water mark of the Civil War, a skirmish in Mississippi with about 500 casualties where he hounded a small union force. It seems they could have used him here, why wasn't he involved where there is real fighting going on. I can see why he survived the war, when things got hot he became an observer.

Welcome back! ;)

Just goes to show - there is a difference between being brave and being fool hearty. No one could ever accuse "The Gallant Hood From Texas" of not being brave! However, he was not a particularly effective commander. One of George Wasshington's greatest strategies was to keep his army intact and not let it be destroyed by the enemy.

Need to do a version of Knoxville and Ft. Sanders attack a year earlier. Subsequently the East Tennessee campaign of Longstreet.

Awesome

Was there 2 years ago, quite impressive

The visuals of this series are great, and I like the narration. The one thing I don't like is the background music, which sounds like stock action movie or TV music, and it's not indicative of the time and place. It's perhaps a nitpicking point, but it's something to consider for future animated battle maps. Even the music of Charles Ives, who was born nine years after the war's conclusion, would have been preferable.

Please recommend a detailed battlefield map for Franklin showing unit dispositions and topography. Thank you.

Just how many chances did the South had, but for them dallying? Major damage could've been dealt at Spring Creek to Schofield's command and their supply trains. What more could the South have asked for?

This was basically the Confederacy's Battle Of The Bulge.

I think this battle was the Confederacy's "cold harbor." Just look at lopsidedness of the casualties

I weep. Hoods army was starving. They had to take the unions supplies to live.

Apparently my great, great, great grandpa was in Co. M of the 8th Michigan Cavalry during this battle. He had been "lucky" enough to be bed ridden with typhoid during the 8th Cavalry's I'll fated raid on Macon earlier in the summer of 1864. But he was back in service during thai battle. Kinda wild to see all this.

Hood had them outnumbered. He should have surrounded the entire town and laid loose siege to it. Instead he stupidly destroys the last of his cohesion and loses the war for Tennessee. ..

Great-great grandfather Oliver was part of the 33rd Mississippi. He survived the battle of Franklin. When asked why he fought in the war he said, “They were down here.”

Hood shouldn’t have played into unions fish hook especially putting troops infront of orchard trees. Should have marched northwest and around Franklin then smash east . But what gets me is how Union marched right past them in middle of night

that hood was mad man sending major generals in at the front of the assault losing that many generals has to have an effect especially top class men like cleburne

Can yall do one for the battle of perryville being as it is the 160th anniversary of the battle of perryville

Whats the name of the song at the end of this episode???

got to level with you Franklin is my literal name and prompted me to watch. A terrible waste of men in a frontal attack.

What a leader the Confederacy had in General John Bell Hood; a one arm one leg morphine using confederate Lt. General. On July 20, 1864 in his first engagement as the AoT commanding general Hood looses to George Thomas at the battle of Peach Tree Creek. Then not quite five months later between December 15-16, 1864, Hood looses again to George Thomas at the battle of Nashville. And THEN Hood, after having his ENTIRE army eliminated as an effective force, asks to be relieved of command on January 23. 1965. Makes you think that Hood was, second only to maybe Leonidas Polk, one of the best Union assets in the entire confederate high command

First time I heard about General Douglas Arthur Pops Arthur MacArthur in 24th Wisconsin Volunteer are interesting fact history don't mention.Thank your sharing this.

Wow this is really good. I used to love the maps in old national geographic mags. But this is much better. By weight of fire and numbers Rebs should have easily won, but attacking fortifications uphill over open ground gives defense the advantage. Even if defence out numbered. You would have thought they would have learned from Picketts charge at Gettysburg. Rebs lost a lot of Generals that day. Fantastic for history buffs.

I have a Great Uncle, Pvt Charles Rufus Ellis of Dayton, Ohio, who served with the 57th Indiana Infantry in Lane's Brigade, under Wagner, at Franklin. From the presentation, the 57th must have broke and retreated to the rear and did not participate further in the battle.

This was towards the end of the struggle. Right as all future chance of slavery is to be outlawed with surrender. Both sides in all theaters were worn out. This was to be the last great charge by either Army.

"Cavalry" is a military unit. "Calvary" is a hill in the Middle East". Not the same. Other than that, this was quite well done; the animated maps make it much easier to understand than simply reading about it.

4 PM on November 30, 1964, does anyone know what time that would correspond to in today’s time?

May I ask which program do you use to make the battle animated maps? Thank you very much ! :)

Still better than History Channel.

A date in the titel(s) would be great, for now I have to manually look it up...

Sacred.

Brig Gen Wm A Quarles (CSA) is my 4x-great-grandfather

Profundity in extremis. Purest art.

Lose the captions they are not needed and are a distraction. We who watch these videos have good hearing.

Also Charles Chon an Asian immigrant who enlisted in the confederate army fought and died there

No mention of Hood's stupidity or his drug addiction.

Was Hood a little “slow”...? How the heck did he think that final assault was a good idea? At least try to flank and pull Union soldiers out of their entrenched positions

It was a horrible war, and I am glad the North won to stop the evil of slavery, but I can't help but feel admiration for the men on both sides, Union and Confederate. If courage were golden they would be richer than kings.

You have the insignificant Battle of Franklin, and not Thomas' masterpiece of Nashville

My ancestor fought here with the 33rd Tennessee infantry CSA.