The Battle of Franklin Trust

06/19/2026

On June 19, 1865, Gen. Gordon Granger delivered General Orders No. 3 in Galveston, TX. “The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of personal rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves…”

Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation issued January 1, 1863, had declared all enslaved people in the states that were in rebellion to be “then, thenceforward, and forever free,” but only those who made it behind Union lines experienced freedom before war’s end. Then, on January 31, 1865, Congress approved the Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution – legally abolishing slavery in the U.S. – and sent it out to the states for ratification.

News of emancipation travelled slowly in some areas, though, with many enslavers hoping to retain their unpaid labor force until harvest was completed. Granger’s announcement in Galveston, therefore, occasioned great rejoicing. The following year, “Jubilee Day” celebrations were held in Texas on June 19. These celebrations eventually spread to other parts of the country. Texas recognized Juneteenth as an official holiday in 1979, and in 2021, Congress made it a national holiday.

06/18/2026

Five years ago today a new street in Franklin was dedicated to a beloved local trailblazer. Allen Nevils Crutcher Williams was born into slavery in Spring Hill, TN, in 1844. When he was six, he was sold to D.R. Crutcher and moved to Franklin. As a child, he taught himself to read and write by tracing scraps of paper. His last owner, Capt. Andrew Jackson Williams (CSA), taught him to read and write formally. This enabled him to study the Bible and even to teach school in the 1870s.

In 1863, Williams opened a shoe repair business in downtown Franklin. This shop was severely damaged during the Battle of Franklin in 1864. He then purchased prime real estate on Main Street, constructed a building, and opened a general merchandise store which he operated for sixty-four years - the longest continually operating business on Main Street to this day. His building still stands. Williams contributed to the settlement and development of the Natchez Street neighborhood, making it possible for fellow African Americans to acquire property. This area formed a nucleus of the African American community in Franklin. He helped establish the African Methodist Episcopal Church and a school for African American children.

When A.N.C. Williams died in 1930, his obituary was printed on the Franklin Review-Appeal’s front page, an uncommon tribute in the Depression-era South. His funeral was held in the predominantly white Fourth Avenue Church because Cummins Street Christian Church could not accommodate the great volume of mourners, black and white. A.N.C. Williams was laid to rest in Toussaint L’Overture Cemetery, less than a block from the street which today bears his name.

06/18/2026

Visitors to Carter House never forget the farm office. Every time we open the door, there are gasps, tears, groans. The response is visceral. Learn more, take a step inside this poignant piece of American History in the newest video from BOFT films.

Join BOFT CEO Eric Jacobson at the Carter House as he discusses why...

06/17/2026

Herman Hilbert was born in Indiana on Sept. 14, 1845. His parents, John and Adelaide, were German immigrants, and his father worked as a farmer in Franklin County, IN. By 1860 Herman was working as a farm hand for his father. Almost a month after his 19th birthday Herman enlisted in the U.S. Army as a substitute for Michael Gies on Oct. 13, 1864. He mustered into Co. B, 35th Indiana Infantry as a private and was sent to Tennessee where they made contact with the Confederate Army near Columbia.

When the Confederates crossed the Duck River and attempted to cut off the U.S. Army’s line of retreat at Spring Hill, Herman and his unit were forced to march almost 25 miles in the dark to Franklin where they arrived in the morning of Nov. 30, 1864. The troops of Kimball’s Division were ordered to entrench the northwest side of town, and before sunset the Confederates followed them up and launched a massive attack. Herman and his comrades of Whitaker’s Brigade were north of the heaviest fighting and lost only 5 wounded and 4 missing. After holding off the attacks the U.S. Army withdrew to Nashville where Herman was engaged in hard fighting on Dec. 15 near Redoubt No. 1. The following day they routed the rebels and drove them out of Tennessee.

Herman mustered out of the Army on Sept. 30, 1865, and returned to Indiana where he was married to Mary Strasburger in 1867. He continued work as a farmer in Franklin County where they raised their daughter Katy. In 1888 Herman applied for and was granted a pension for his military service. He was the last surviving Civil War veteran in Franklin County, IN, when he died on Apr. 4, 1937 at 91 years old.

06/15/2026

They are here!!! Pick up your copy of The Cheairs Family & Rippa Villa in our shops today!! If you pre-ordered, it’s in the mail.

06/15/2026

Nebraska, the only state to enter the Union over a presidential veto, voted to ratify the 14th amendment to the Constitution on this day in 1867.

The first state considered for admission after the American Covil War, Nebraska, like many others before her, allowed voting rights to white men only. Congress removed the white only qualification. President Andrew Johnson believed that action to be unconstitutional and vetoed the bill that outlined Nebraska’s admission. Congress overrode the veto, and Nebraska was admitted to the Union as the 37th state on March 1, 1867.

06/15/2026

If you were unable to join us today for the Franklin Civil War Roundtable, you can listen to Gene Schmiel's talk about Gen. Jacob Cox and his bride Helen on our Youtube page. Find it here:

The mission of the Battle of Franklin Trust is to preserve, underst...

06/12/2026

Juneteenth is right around the corner! Join Eric and special guest Alexis Perry as they talk about its importance as a national holiday.

Join Eric and Alexis as they discuss the importance of Juneteenth b...

06/12/2026

06/11/2026

On June 11, 1776, a committee of five was formed to draft a Declaration of Independence. It represented quite a cross-section of the colonies.

John Adams was a hot-headed, erudite advocate of liberty from Massachusetts whose speeches were wonderfully persuasive, but whose bluntness rubbed some people the wrong way.

Robert Livingston served for 24 years as the highest judicial officer in the crucial colony of New York, later administered the presidential oath of office to George Washington in 1789, and in 1803 negotiated the Louisiana Purchase which doubled the size of the U.S.

Thomas Jefferson, a 33-year-old gentleman farmer and polymath from Virginia, was the only slaveholder in the group, yet he penned some of the most memorable and compelling words about equality in the English language.

Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania was the senior statesman. The inventor, scientist, and abolitionist brought wisdom and balance to the group and made some of the more essential edits to Jefferson's first draft.

Roger Sherman from Connecticut was described by Thomas Jefferson as “a man who never said a foolish thing in his life.” John Adams called him “one of the most sensible men in the world." He provided an important voice of reason.

Jefferson was the principal scribe, borrowing liberally from other writings, like the Virginia Declaration of Rights, and integrating ideals of the Enlightenment. The committee then offered edits before presenting the document to the Congress who made their own edits before approving it on July 4.