Battle of Franklin (1863) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The First Battle of Franklin (1863) |
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| Part of the American Civil War | |||||||
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| Belligerents | |||||||
 United States (Union) |
 Confederate States (Confederacy) |
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| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Gordon Granger | Earl Van Dorn | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| Army of Kentucky | 1st Cavalry Corps, Army of Tennessee | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| 100 | 137 | ||||||
The First Battle of Franklin took place on April 10, 1863. It was fought in Williamson County, Tennessee, during the American Civil War. This was a smaller fight in the same area as the much more famous Battle of Franklin in 1864.
Contents
What Happened at Franklin?
This battle in 1863 was a quick look-around by Confederate cavalry. Their leader was Earl Van Dorn. The Union side, led by Gordon Granger, didn't react very well.
Van Dorn's Attack and Granger's Mistake
On April 10, Van Dorn moved his troops north from Spring Hill, Tennessee. They soon met some Union soldiers, called skirmishers, just outside Franklin. Skirmishers are small groups of soldiers sent ahead to find the enemy.
Van Dorn's attack was not very strong. Because of this, when General Granger heard a false report that Brentwood was under attack, he believed it. He thought Van Dorn was just trying to distract him. So, Granger sent most of his cavalry north to Brentwood.
A Surprise Attack and Retreat
Soon, Granger learned that the report about Brentwood was wrong. There was no real threat there. Granger then decided to attack Van Dorn. But he was surprised to find that one of his officers had already attacked without orders!
This officer was David S. Stanley. He led a group from the 4th U.S. Cavalry. Stanley had crossed the Harpeth River behind the Confederates. He attacked and captured a Confederate cannon unit. But then, another Confederate general, Nathan Bedford Forrest, quickly fought back. Forrest's counterattack made Stanley lose the cannons he had just captured.
Because of this unexpected fight behind his lines, Van Dorn decided to stop his plans. He pulled his troops back to Spring Hill. This left the Union forces in control of the area around Franklin.
Battlefield Today
Today, you can visit Fort Granger in Franklin. It is named after General Gordon Granger. The fort is located in Pinkerton Park on Murfreesboro Road.
