Battle of Franklin Facts, Details, and Timeline

November 30, 1864

Franklin Battle facts, including dates, location, casualties, leaders, who won, and more interesting facts you might not know. This fact sheet provides a quick overview of the battle and is for kids doing research and students preparing for the AP U.S. History (APUSH) exam.

General John Schofield, Photograph

On November 30, 1864, the Army of the Ohio, commanded by Major General John M. Schofield (pictured here) soundly defeated Lieutenant General John Bell Hood’s Army of Tennessee at the Battle of Franklin during the Franklin-Nashville Campaign. Image Source: Library of Congress.

Definition

The Battle of Franklin was fought between the United States of America and the Confederate States of America on November 30, 1864, during the American Civil War.

Quick Facts

  • Also Known As: The Battle of Franklin is also called the “Second Battle of Franklin.”
  • Date Started: The Battle of Franklin started on Wednesday, November 30, 1864.
  • Date Ended: The fighting ended on November 30, 1864.
  • Location: The battle took place in Williamson County, Tennessee, in and near the town of Franklin.
  • Who Won: The United States of America won the Battle of Franklin.
  • Civil War Campaign: The Battle of Franklin was part of the Franklin-Nashville Campaign.

Battle of Franklin, Illustration

This illustration depicts fighting at the Battle of Franklin. Image Source: Library of Congress.

Interesting Facts

  • The Confederate Army of Tennessee lost fourteen generals (six killed, seven wounded and one captured), plus 55 regimental commanders at the Battle of Franklin.
  • One of the Confederate Army’s best officers, Major General Patrick Cleburne, was killed at the Battle of Franklin.
  • The Battle of Franklin was one of the few night battles during the American Civil War.
  • The Battle of Franklin is sometimes called the “Gettysburg of the West” because some historians consider it the turning-point in the Western Theater of the American Civil War.
  • The Battle of Franklin was significant because the federal victory deprived Confederate General John Bell Hood of his last opportunity to prevent Union generals John Schofield and George H. Thomas from uniting their armies during the Franklin-Nashville Campaign.

Commanders and Forces Involved

Principal Union Commanders

Principal Confederate Commanders

Union Forces Engaged

  • Army of the Ohio

Confederate Forces Engaged

  • Army of Tennessee

Casualties and Statistics

Number of Union Soldiers Engaged

  • Roughly 27,000

Number of Confederate Soldiers Engaged

  • Roughly 27,000

Estimated Union Casualties

  • 2,300 (189 killed, 1,033 wounded, and 1,104 missing/captured)

Estimated Confederate Casualties

  • 6,200 (1,750 killed, 3,800 wounded, and 702 missing/captured)

Results of the Battle of Franklin

  • The outcome of the Battle of Franklin was a Union victory.

Timeline of the Battle of Franklin

This list shows the main battles and events that took place before and after the Battle of Franklin, and how it fits into the chronological order of the Frankin-Nashville Campaign.