The Lotz House: The Battle of Franklin unfolds
Published: Oct 6, 2009
The Lotz House, located in the heart of downtown historic Franklin, Tenn., tells compelling stories of the Civil War era. Using the house as the central location of the story, the museum recounts the Battle of Franklin, which was a pivotal battle of the Civil War.
The home belonged to German immigrant Johann Albert Lotz who purchased the five acres of land in 1855. Lotz renovated the home adding to it complex designs including three fireplace mantles, hand-carved acorn finials, millwork and cartouches.
On the night of November 29, 1864, approximately 20,000 Union soldiers retreated from Spring Hill, Tenn. to Franklin. The troops dug protective trenches and barricades 100 yards south of the Lotz home. The Lotz family awakened the next morning to find the troops and sought refuge in a neighbor’s brick basement. The whole family survived, but hundreds of soldiers lay dead in front of the home.
The Lotz home served as a hospital for the wounded soldiers on both sides until the following summer. To this day, those who visit the large mansion-turned-museum can see the numerous blood stains in all of the rooms. The house itself suffered severe battle damage and though many were repaired, some still remain. Visitors can even see where a cannonball crashed through the roof and plummeted to the first floor, burning the floor as it rolled.
Personalized “Battlefield Tours” are led by Thomas Y. Cartwright, one of the nation’s leading authorities on the Battle of Franklin. With him, visitors will walk over the battlefield and hear the stories of the soldiers involved the battle.
The tours are held on Thursdays and Saturdays or by making a reservation. For reservations call (615) 790-7190.
- by Leah Caudle , Nashville Reporter for HelloMetro
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