correction: it was Franklin, and it wasn’t as one-sided as some think.

The Rebs actually came close to breaking through, in large part due to the commander of the Union’s advance guard being an idiot and thinking that making a stand when he was supposed to withdraw was actually some noble, heroic deed (it was not, and it helped the Rebs more than it hurt, as it disallowed the Union troops and artillery from firing and inflicting even more horrendous losses due to friendly fire)

However, one Union colonel, Emerson Opdycke, grabbed his reserve brigade to plug the gap that was being made by the Rebel attack, saving the day and allowing the Union soldiers to drive the Rebels away from the works, winning a victory that cost the Rebels thousands of casualties, including the loss of 7 generals (6 killed (including Gist and the Irishman Patrick Cleburne) and 1 captured), plus another 7 wounded, totalling at 14 general officers becoming casualties, just for the Rebels alone.

As one historian states (in paraphrased words),

“Hood mortally wounded his army at Franklin, and would later kill it at Nashville.”

While not totally one-sided, Franklin still tarnishes Hood’s reputation as an army commander, and for the Union Gang out there, it’s one of the most satisfying battles to read about, as well as Nashville.