Back Roads on a Cloudy Day

   Went out for a solo drive on the back roads of Middle Tennessee last Saturday. I do more scouting for places I want to come back and photograph when I'm out solo for a few hours than I do actual stopping. I am usually too afraid to get out alone or can't find a safe place to pull over. Still got a few interesting pictures.

Christmas Lights

This was at the late great George Jones' home in Williamson County, Tennessee, a few years ago. George's home had some of the best Christmas displays and it was a family tradition to go out and see them each year. George- and his lights- are both greatly missed.

Dec 2, 1864 Captain Theodrick Carter of Franklin

   Captain Theodrick (Tod) Carter

 20th Tennessee Volunteer Infantry Smith's Brigade

Bate's Division Cheatham's Corps, 

Army of Tennessee C.S.A.

   Born at the Carter House March 24, 1840 and educated at Harpeth Academy. He was an attorney-at-law and a Master Mason. Tod enlisted in Co H, 20th Tenn. Infantry May 1, 1862. Appointed Assistant Quarter Master on Oct 24, 1862 and served as a war correspondent for the Chattanooga "Daily Rebel" using the name "Mint Julep".

Aftermath of the Battle of Franklin

   Six Confederate generals were dead. The Union army had left Franklin and were headed to join the regiments who were already situated in Nashville, about 20 miles north. The Federals had not lost as many men, but those wounded were left behind. Confederate General John Bell Hood would foolishly pursue them to Nashville where his Army of Tennessee would be devastated on December 15th and 16th.

November 30, 1864 Battle of Franklin

   After the Union troops slipped past General John Bell Hood's Confederate forces camped at Spring Hill, Tennessee the night before, they began building entrenchments at Franklin. Their main line of defense was built across the Columbia Pike and at the home of Fountain Branch Carter. As Hood watched from Winstead Hill south of Franklin, he ordered his men at nearly dusk to charge into the Federal earthworks repeatedly.

Nov 29, 1864 Battle of Spring Hill

   On November 29, 1864, Union and Confederate forces skirmished at the small town of Spring Hill, Tennessee. Spring Hill is located on the border of Maury and Williamson Counties, about halfway between Columbia and Franklin. Confederate General John Bell Hood set up his forces to attempt to stop the Federals as they left Columbia, heading north. There were minor skirmishes along the Columbia Pike, and the Federals lined up west of the pike in order to protect the railroad. Casualties numbered only in the few hundred.