# The Battle of Franklin—The Battle of Nashville explained — Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant

> Chapter companion for Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant by Ulysses S. Grant.

## What happens

Grant recounts Hood's crossing of the Tennessee River and the subsequent battles of Franklin and Nashville. He describes Schofield's retreat, the fierce fighting at Franklin, and his own frustration with General Thomas's slow preparations at Nashville. Grant ultimately threatened to relieve Thomas, but Thomas finally attacked on December 15-16, routing Hood's army. The pursuit was hampered by a pontoon bridge mishap, allowing Hood to escape.

## Themes in this chapter

### The Horrors and Cost of War

The chapter details the desperate and sanguinary fighting at Franklin, with high casualties on both sides and vivid descriptions of the carnage.

### Leadership and Humility

Grant's struggle with Thomas's deliberate command style and his own decision to travel to Washington rather than immediately relieve Thomas illustrates the challenges of military leadership.

### Personal Integrity and Self-Reliance

Thomas's steadfastness in preparing his forces despite Grant's pressure, and Grant's eventual restraint in not replacing him, highlight themes of integrity and trust.

## Character check-ins

### John B. Hood

Led Confederate forces across the Tennessee River and attacked at Franklin and Nashville.

### John M. Schofield

Commanded Union forces retreating from Pulaski to Franklin, then to Nashville.

### George H. Thomas

Union commander at Nashville; criticized by Grant for his slow movements but ultimately won the battle.

### Stephen D. Lee

Commanded one of Hood's infantry corps.

### Alexander P. Stewart

Commanded one of Hood's infantry corps.

### John A. Logan

Sent by Grant to relieve Thomas but halted when Thomas finally moved.

### Ulysses S. Grant

Author and commander-in-chief; urged Thomas to attack and considered relieving him.

## Key lines

> The fight was very desperate and sanguinary. The Confederate generals led their men in the repeated charges, and the loss among them was of unusual proportions.

The battle was extremely fierce and bloody, with Confederate officers personally leading assaults and suffering unusually high casualties.

_Describes the intensity of the Battle of Franklin._

> To me his delay was unaccountable—sitting there and permitting himself to be invested, so that, in the end, to raise the siege he would have to fight the enemy strongly posted behind fortifications.

I found Thomas's hesitation inexplicable; by allowing himself to be besieged, he would eventually have to attack a well-entrenched enemy.

_Grant's frustration with Thomas's inaction at Nashville._

> At last I had to say to General Thomas that I should be obliged to remove him unless he acted promptly.

Finally, I told Thomas I would have to relieve him of command if he did not move quickly.

_Grant's ultimatum to Thomas._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/chapters/lx
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/chapters