FRANKLIN
November 30, 1864

After Sherman took Atlanta, Hood obtained permission to launch what was to be a futile expedition into Tennessee. On 28th-29th Schofield, retreating north, had escaped from a trap, largely due to a mix-up of orders on Hood's side. Hood was absolutely furious and it is possible that this warped his judgement.
He arrived at Franklin to find Schofield dug in and in the process of repairing the bridge across the Harpeth River so that he could continue towards Nashville. Two of Hood's seven divisions were still well to the rear, as well as all but eight of his guns, so he had with him about 30,000 men.
Schofield was entrenched with 34,000 and 60 guns. Furthermore, there was two miles of open plain before the town. Hood's subordinates were aghast when he ordered a general attack but, in the grand tradition of Ambrose E. Burnside, he refused to listen and at 4.00 o'clock, about one hour before sunset, the attack went in. Initially the attack went surprisingly well, due to a mistake on the Union side. Wagner had two of his brigades in a forward position across the turnpike, about half a mile in front of the main defences. As Hood's army started forward Wagner neglected to send a message ordering the two brigades to retreat and the colonels in charge delayed to fire volleys into the approaching enemy.
They left their retreat too late and were swamped and routed by the oncoming charge. As they ran back, Cheatham's and Brown's divisions followed in close pursuit and were thus shielded from hostile fire. They broke into the entrenchments and tried to turn the guns there on the defenders but the horses had bolted with the primers. Suddenly, tired from having run half a mile, they found themselves under fire from about two dozen guns and when the reserve, under Opdycke, charged in, they were forced to fall back and try to find cover outside the works. This was the high point of the attack. French, Walthall and Loring, attacking the Union left, were caught in heavy fire from across the river from Fort Granger and from masked batteries, and in small arms fire from entrenched troops armed with repeating rifles. At 7.00 pm, an hour after full darkness, Hood committed the reserves but although fighting went on until 9.00 o'clock nothing was achieved. Schofield retreated during the night and Hood had wrecked his army. Six generals were killed, including the highly competent Cleburne, one captured and five badly wounded. 6,252 veterans were casualties, including 1,750 dead. Schofield had suffered 2,326 casualties and was falling back on re-inforcements. Hood continued the pursuit to Nashville, to lose heavily in a battle with Thomas on 15th December, but essentially, any hope of a successful campaign ended here at Franklin.