The Widow of the South
Exploring Franklin, Tennessee
By Sandra Scott
 Robert Hick’s Civil War “New York Times” bestseller
historical novel, “The Widow of the South,” based on the Carrie McGavock and the
Battle of Franklin, TN is powerful. Carrie McGavock, morose over the death of
three of her young children, rises to the occasion when her plantation home
becomes a military hospital. She personally attends to the wounds and after the
war reburies nearly 1500 fallen soldiers in her personal cemetery.
 When my husband, John, and I were in Tennessee Carnton was
a must-stop as it is for all those who have read the book. We were fortunate to
meet the author and have our book autographed. The beauty and serenity of
Carnton of today shows none of the horror that existed on November 30, 1864 in
what the “National Geographic” calls the "most unjustly forgotten" of all the
Civil war's major engagements. It was the bloodiest five hours of the Civil War.
The deaths exceeded those of Picket’s Charge and Battle of Normandy. Instead of
writing a purely non-fiction book, Hick’s explained he was advised to write an
historical novel by author Shelby Foote, noted Civil War historian because it is
“the storytellers who keep history alive.” This story could easily have faded
into the past had it not been for his book.
 The mansion is beautifully restored making it hard to
visualize the time when the porches and all the rooms were packed with the
wounded and drying soldiers. Today the grounds are landscaped with flowers.
Gone are the piles of dead bodies and amputated body parts that were just tossed
out the window of the upstairs room that served as a surgery. Walking through
the cemetery and reading the names – Carrie duly recorded the name of each
soldier and wrote personal letters to their families – is profound. Truly, it is
as the guide says, “Hollowed Ground.”
 It is amazing how one novel, albeit a riveting one, can
benefit an entire region. We stayed at the nearby Brentwood Inn and had
breakfast with a couple from California who made a special trip to Franklin
after reading the book. In the year after the book was
published in 2005 tourism increased 170%. There is a lot to do in the area,
which is only 30 minutes south of Nashville.
Not far from Carnton is the Carter House, which served as
the Federal Command Post.
 Carter House has the distinction of being the most
battle-damaged building from the Civil War with over 1,000 bullet holes still
visible. The family hid in the cellar during the battle. Their son, Tod, was
not with them. He had joined the military three years before and was part of the
Confederate military that advanced on his hometown. He was mortally wounded on
the edge of the property and was carried to the house where he died two days
later.
 Today the center of Franklin is a National Historic
District. On our walking tour, Rene, our guide shared fascinating local stories
that included one about a charming Southern belle who enchanted Union officers
while smuggling contraband under her hoopskirts. Rene explained that, “A really
good petticoat spy could conceal as much as 35 lbs. of food, medicine and
information on her person.”
 The Franklin area is more than a place to learn about the
Civil War, there are a plethora of shops including The Factory filled with
boutique shops with everything from Antiques at the Factory to the Stoveworks.
Ninety-minutes from Franklin is a something that is
strictly Tennessee – Jack Daniel’s Distillery. Overall-clad guides give a witty
tour of the distillery with no sipping because it is in the dry town of
Lynchburg.
 For wine-lovers, Arrington Vineyards recently opened with Kix Brooks
of Brooks and Dunn fame as a partner. Remember “Music City” is only 30 minutes
from Franklin and offers an entirely different Tennessee experience.
If you go:
www.carnton.org
www.carter-house.org
www.brentwoodbandb.com – check out their packages that include Carnton and
walking tours
www.franklinonfoot.com
www.visitwilliamson.com
IMAGES 1 AND 3 COURTESY OF CARNTON (John Chastain)
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