Our first stop on the Tennessee trip was at the Ellington Agricultural Center and Brentwood Hall. This antebellum mansion is the home of the Tennessee Department of Agriculture. I was fortunate to know someone who works on the grounds and was able to give us a personal tour. It pays to know someone :)
This "someone" is Carmen who I met a couple times in Ohio and just last week saw her at the Woolkeepers hook in. I sort of invited us to her house and she was the hostess with the mostess, giving us a tour and feeding us a yummy dinner. She is a cross stitcher extraordinaire, excellent hooker, quilts and who knows what else. Oh, she also designs cross stitch patterns. Carmen, Wink and I thank you and hubby for your hospitality!
I'm embarrassed to admit how little I know about the Civil War, but this trip has inspired me to learn more. The Battle of Franklin was fought there on November 30, 1864. In just five hours, there were nearly 10,000 casualties in its wake; 2,000 dead, 7,000 wounded, and 1,000 missing. You can read more about it here.
The Confederate Monument, also know as Ship, or our Confederate Soldiers, is located on the grounds of the Williamson County Courthouse in the County Seat - Franklin Tennessee. Installed in 1899, it is an Italian marble statue portraying a single Confederate soldier atop a tall column and base, intended to commemorate contributions of the Confederate States Army.
On August 17, 2017, a petition was circulated calling for its removal. Another petition to keep the monument was also started. Both petitions had thousands of signatures by late August. Franklin's city administrator said the Tennessee Heritage Protection Act prevented the city from removing the monument without the consent of the Tennessee Historical Commission. As of December 2018, the issue was in litigation. I personally am against removing the statue. History should not be erased.
Carnton, seen below, was used as a Civil War Field Hospital. You can read more here.
On the grounds, the family cemetery houses two distinct sections. In one are the graves of McGavock family members and friends.
The other portion has many crudely marked graves. It is believed this is the burial place for some of the McGavock slaves and later laborers.
Throughout the cemetery stone columns marked how many from each Confederate state were killed.
The Rest Haven Cemetery is located in Franklin.
Also at Rest Haven Cemetery.
Thanks for coming along on the first days of our trip. More to follow.
Thanks so much for stopping by.
Pug hugs :)
Lauren
