Kraig W. McNutt, Director | The Center for the Study of the American Civil War Page 1

An Interview with Williamson County Historian Rick Warwick

about Civil War Franklin and Williamson County, 2010

Interviewed by Kraig W. McNutt

What was the size of Franklin during the Civil War?

Franklin had a population of 2,000 in 1860, while

Williamson County’s was 23,467, with 11,315

white and 12,152 slaves. Williamson County was

also one of the few counties in Tennessee that

had a majority of slaves. There were a couple

more in West Tennessee.

Franklin was smaller than Columbia or

Murfreesboro in 1860. The population of

Rutherford County in 1860 was 27,918. There

were 14, 934 whites, 12, 984 slaves, and 190

freed blacks.

Prominent homes in Franklin and Williamson County in 1864?

I count 28 or 29 in downtown Franklin and add two more if you include the

Truett House and Jasmine Grove; then you could add Wyatt hall and

Creekside inside the Mack Hatcher.

Rick Warwick

Kraig W. McNutt, Director | The Center for the Study of the American Civil War Page 2

Your favorite antebellum home in Franklin or Williamson County: no longer

standing? Still standing?

Everbright , Westview and the McNutt House are no longer standing.

Clouston Hall and Carter House (see below) in Franklin.

The Carter House on Columbia Ave in Franklin

Who were some of the prominent family names in Franklin (c. 1864)?

McEwen, Ewing, Clouston, Wooldridge, Figures, Marshall, Carter,

McGavock, Bostick, McNutt, Perkins, Park, Hanner

Kraig W. McNutt, Director | The Center for the Study of the American Civil War Page 3

Who was the mayor of Franklin in 1864?

Probably John B. McEwen. He was in 1861, ’62 , ’63.

Kraig W. McNutt, Director | The Center for the Study of the American Civil War Page 4

What kind of businesses or industries did Franklin have in 1860?

The largest would have been the Spencer & McCoy Cotton & Flour Mill at

the end of East Main St. along with the Pugh Iron Works on 1st. Both were

destroyed by Buell’s men in 1862. All the goods were taken from the

Factory Store (Landmark Books), especially a wagon load of whiskey.

Eelbeck, Priest, Wells had carriage shops.

Present-day Landmark Booksellers

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Which 2-3 businesses were most successful then?

The cotton & flour mill were the largest. The columns at the courthouse

were by Pugh on First Ave. in 1858.

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How many newspapers did Franklin have in 1864? Their names? Political slant?

None. The Franklin Weekly Review didn't start until 1865. Papers were

closed during occupation. A few Federal regimental newspaper were

printed in Franklin.

What percent of Williamson-Franklin was CSA leaning? Pro-Union?

Probably like the American Revolution. 1/3, 1/3, 1/3. Before Lincoln called

for troops, the community was largely Union. It voted two to one against

the convention to succeed. The young men got caught up in regional

patriotism and join local regiments in droves, lead by their teachers and

prominent men. The older men, many veterans of the Mexican War,

remained loyal. With Federal occupation, the taste for secession faded.

Franklin mayor and historian Park Marshall estimated that 1,600 men from

Wm. Co. served in the southern army at one time during the war. If you

check the 2007 journal on reunions, you will notice only one Federal

company, W.O. Rickman's Co H 5th Tenn US was raised in the county.

Locations in Williamson County that were Union strongholds?

Rickman's neighborhood in the Cove and Cross Keys, located between

Bethesda and College Grove was the center for Union support. This came

primary because of the killing of Bill Biggers by Van Dorn's men. The close-

knit community made up of White, Creswell, Hartley, Anderson, Gillespie,

Crafton, Hargrove and Biggers families. Check page 92 of Reunion journal.

Any Civil War-era "little known facts" about our community that people should

know about?

Check the Female during the CW 2008 journal page 151. The fact that local

ladies took in the Federal wounded for two weeks with little help is

Kraig W. McNutt, Director | The Center for the Study of the American Civil War Page 7

remarkable. Mrs. Cliffe, Mrs. Courtney and Fanny, Mrs. Huffman, Mrs.

Priest are notables.

How many bridges were near downtown Franklin; what were they called then;

and where were they?

The Nashville Pike bridge and the Murfreesboro Rd bridge were destroyed

early in the war. Pontoon bridges and the fords were used. The bridge over

the Harpeth between Carnton and Riverside was out as well. The bridge on

Cotton Lane was out as well.

Does the historical society (or the County archives) have copies of letters, diaries

or journals that from this period that can be accessed; either already reprinted, or

originals that can be accessed?

I think I have printed all available sources. Check the old WCHS journals.

The Society published the diary of Capt W.J. Robinson in the early 1970s. I

reprinted those parts that were related to Franklin and Wm. Co. again in

the WCHS journal on letters& diaries in 2006.