Carnton Plantation

Today's sightseeing trip was to Carnton Plantation in Franklin, Tennessee.  This is one of the main reasons for my summer adventure, second only to the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg which occurs next month.  Carnton was beautifully portrayed in Robert Hicks' book, Widow of the South in which he explained how the plantation became a field hospital after the Battle of Franklin on November 30, 1864 (see previous post).  I read the book several years ago and promptly added Carnton Plantation to my Bucket List.  The home is restored and includes many items belonging to the McGavocks, owners of the plantation at the time.  The clock in the parlor, which belonged to Carrie McGavock, still works and chimed the hour during our tour.  There are collections of Civil War-era medical kits, including a bone saw and an early intubation device.  Many Confederate soldiers stayed in the home for months recuperating from their wounds.  A greater number did not survive and are today interred on the grounds of the plantation, each of the 1,481 graves now marked with stone markers replacing the original wooden head and foot boards.