Carnton Plantation and the "Widow of the South" - The True Story

When Civil War historian and preservationist Robertfirst in 1863, and then in 1864, during the second Battle
Hicks released his book The Widow of the South inof Franklin, the battle that would immortalize the
2005, he fictionalized the story of Carrie McGavock,McGavocks and Carnton as a shrine to the
who turned acres of her family's home, CarntonConfederate dead.
Plantation, into a cemetery for the Confederate deadThe second Battle of Franklin was fought right in the
after the second Battle of Franklin, Tennessee. AMcGavock's backyard - less than a mile from the
best-seller, Hicks' novel brought a long-forgottenhouse - on November 30, 1864. Confederate General
chapter in the story of the Civil War to a newJohn Bell Hood's troops met those of Union General
generation of readers. Hicks' novel is a work of fiction,John McAllister Schofield in a bloody battle that dealt
but the real story of Carnton Plantation, Carriethe Confederates a severe blow; Hood's Confederate
McGavock and the cemetery she helmed is just asArmy of Tennessee counted 7,000 men as casualties,
fascinating.among them 1,700 dead, while Schofield counted 2,300,
Carnton Plantation, located at Franklin, Tennessee, waswith only around 200 dead.
constructed between 1815 and 1826 by formerLike many homes in the area, Carnton was used as a
Nashville mayor Randal McGavock. Presidents Jameshospital after the battle. However, Carnton's size
Polk and Andrew Jackson were both visitors tomeant that the plantation was host to more casualties
Carnton, which McGavock built the plantation on thethan any other home in the area. As the battle wound
site of a Revolutionary War land grant belonging to hisdown, hundreds of wounded men were brought to
father. Carnton originally consisted of around 1,420Carnton.
acres.It has been estimated that at least 300 men were
Following Randal McGavock's death in 1843, Carntoncared for inside the Carnton home, and that countless
was passed to Randal McGavock's son, John. In 1848,many more were cared for on the extensive grounds
John wed his first cousin, Carrie Elizabeth Winder. Theoutside the house, in tents or in slave quarters, and in
couple had five children, but lost three of them inmany cases, on the cold ground.
childhood, leaving only two, Winder and Hattie, toIt was a horrific scene for Carrie McGavock and her
survive into adulthood.children to witness, and to become a part of;
Carnton was the essence of a prosperous antebellumMcGavock and her children assisted in the care of the
plantation; before the Civil War, the net worth of themen brought to their home, a home that is stained
McGavock family was $339,000, which adjusted fortoday with the blood of the men who were brought
inflation, would be several million dollars in today'sthere, blood that was soaked up by the lush carpets,
currency. The plantation produced wheat, oats, corn,only to stain the wood floors beneath. Carrie
hay, potatoes, but was primarily a livestock plantation,McGavock's dresses were reportedly stained with
raising cattle, hogs, and thoroughbred horses.blood at the hem for days to come, and the nursery
When the Civil War began, John McGavock, like manybecame an operating room, with amputated limbs
other planters, was exempted from service in thethrown out the window to stack a story high against
Confederate Army. He, Carrie, their two survivingthe house.
children, and a handful of slaves - the remaining 30-oddSome 150 men died that first night at Carnton, for
slaves having been sent South to family plantations inmonths, the McGavock family cared for others who
Louisiana and Alabama - remained at Carnton. Johnremained in their home. Carrie McGavock nursed the
was given the honorary title of "Colonel."men herself, changing bandages, tending to fevers, and
The war came to Franklin, and near Carnton, twice;writing letters home.