Personal Portraits of Franklin

ast week we brought you insights into Union Private Arthur MacArthur and Confederate Corporal Sam Watkins. Today Bill Potter gives you a glimpse into the men who commanded the armies that bloody November afternoon in Franklin — General John Bell Hood and General John McAllister Schofield.

General John Bell Hood

The commander of the Confederate army at the Battle of Franklin brought to that engagement more than three years of combat leadership, crippling wounds and serious interpersonal animosities toward subordinate generals. Neither his men nor most historians of the War have forgiven him for sending the Army of Tennessee to its destruction along the Harpeth River in 1864. General Hood began the war as the regimental commander of the 4th Texas Infantry. His fighting qualities and example brought quick promotion to Brigadier General of the Texas Brigade. That unit fought so hard and with such success they forever adopted his name even after he left for higher command. General Lee called them his “Grenadier Guard.” At the battle of Gettysburg, Hood commanding a division as a Major General suffered a wound by an artillery shell burst early in the attack on Devil’s Den and Little Round Top. He lost the use of his arm and suffered constant pain, alleviated only by strong drugs.

Read the entire article by Bill Potter ››

General John McAllister Schofield

Western New Yorker and son and grandson of Baptist ministers, Schofield grew up in Illinois where he taught school briefly before attending the military academy at West Point. As providence would have it, his roommate was John Bell Hood. He served as a military instructor in Florida before the war and as a mustering officer in St. Louis when the war began. He served on the staff of General Nathaniel Lyons in the battle of Wilson’s Creek, Missouri, where Lyons was killed in action and Schofield was commended for “conspicuous gallantry,” and for which he would eventually receive the Medal of Honor, due to political connections. His entire military career would be filled with controversy over his decisions and leadership. In his following service in Missouri, pro-Union citizens criticized him in Washington, D.C. and begged President Lincoln to sack him for not being tough enough on pro-Confederate citizens. His polished social skills and useful political connections in Illinois brought him only promotion.

Read the entire article by Bill Potter ››

Next Week’s Portraits

Join us March 18 and 19 on location to hear all the accounts and understand how their lives fit into the remarkable tapestry of God’s providence in Franklin and Nashville.

Mr. Potter speaks at the Teach Them Diligently Homeschool Conference in Nashville March 19-21. Stop by our booth (#230) and say hello!

Philadelphia Cradle of Liberty Tour Hotel Selected

We have secured a block of rooms at a very friendly rate at the Spring Hill Suites in Philadelphia for our Cradle of Liberty Tour this summer. The hotel is conveniently located just North of downtown with Whole Foods Market and Starbucks within easy walking distance.

Learn More and Register for the Cradle of Liberty Tour