First Battle of Franklin

Infobox Military Conflict
conflict=First Battle of Franklin
colour_scheme=background:#ffcccc
partof=the American Civil War
date=April 10, 1863
place=Williamson County, Tennessee
result=Union victory
combatant1= flagicon|USA|1861 United States (Union)
combatant2= flagicon|CSA|1861 CSA (Confederacy)
commander1=Gordon Granger
commander2=Earl Van Dorn
strength1=Army of Kentucky
strength2=1st Cavalry Corps Army of Tennessee
casualties1=100
casualties2=137The First Battle of Franklin was a battle of the American Civil War, occurring on April 10, 1863, in Williamson County, Tennessee.

The 1863 engagement at Franklin was a reconnaissance in force by Confederate cavalry leader Maj. Gen. Earl Van Dorn, coupled with an equally inept response by Union Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger. Van Dorn advanced northward from Spring Hill, Tennessee, on May 10, making contact with Federal skirmishers just outside Franklin. Van Dorn's attack was so weak that when Granger received a false report that Brentwood to the north was under attack, he believed it and sent most of his cavalry northward thinking that Van Dorn was undertaking a diversion.

When the truth became known—there was no threat to Brentwood—Granger decided to attack Van Dorn, but was surprised to learn that a subordinate had already done so, without orders. Brig. Gen. David S. Stanley, with a brigade from the 4th U.S. Cavalry, had crossed the Harpeth River at Hughes's Ford, behind the Confederate right rear. Stanley attacked and captured Freeman's Tennessee Battery on the Lewisburg Road, but lost it when Brig. Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest counterattacked. This incident in his rear caused Van Dorn to cancel his operations and withdraw to Spring Hill, leaving the Federals in control of the area.

ee also

* Second Battle of Franklin, 1864

References

* [http://www.cr.nps.gov/hps/abpp/battles/tn016.htm National Park Service battle description]