The Battle of Gettysburg, which took place July 1 to 3, 1863, is well-known as the bloodiest battle of the Civil War. Afterwards, it garnered national notoriety due to President Abraham Lincoln’s short but powerful speech, which he gave after the battle. But there is a bloodier battle.
Tennessee’s Nov. 30, 1864 Battle of Franklin is lesser known than the Battle of Gettysburg. It’s considered the bloodier battle because it was fought in a shorter period of time. Union and Confederate forces fought on farmland in Williamson County and suffered close to 10,000 casualties within five hours. Under Confederate Lt. Gen. John Bell Hood’s attempt to recapture the state’s capital, Nashville, from the Union, Confederates experienced the most casualties. Six of their generals were killed.
