Franklin Civil War Round Table Celebrates its Tenth Year!

Originally published December 2017 · pp. 1–2

FRANKLIN, Tenn.—The Franklin Civil War Round Table (FCWRT) recently hosted a dinner banquet with entertainment provided by period musician and singer Bobby Horton as part of their Ten Year Anniversary celebration. The group began in a Franklin bookstore as a book club in 2006 and, after experiencing rapid growth, moved to a meeting facility in 2007 and started hosting Round Table lectures, tours, and related events. “Our intent was to ‘educate’ folks about the entire Civil War era while taking no positions or endorsing any group,” says founder Gregory Wade. “We want to explore tough issues in a dignified and well largely independently. Cullen Smith, FC board member and an original member of the FCWRT says “the diversity of topics and presentations has ranged from the effect of weather on battles to medicine, and has to be one of the best curriculum’s around.” Wade points out with pride the FCWRT “body of work” noting a faculty made up of at “least twenty one PhD’s, a former U.S. Ambassador, an Under Secretary of State, twenty four published authors, twenty historical site directors and three current National Park Service rangers.” Among the more unusual presentations have been a play called “Scathe” that deals with the life and death researched forum,” he added. Having about one hundred dues paying members, the group joined up with the nonprofit, Franklin’s Charge (FC), in 2009. Franklin’s Charge is largely responsible for the reclamation of over 120 acres of the 1864 Battle of Franklin, once largely lost to development. The FCWRT takes care of FC educational goals and operates of General Earl Van Dorn and a Grammy nominated album of new music known as the “1861 Project.” In 2016 the group hosted a retirement event for Hans Hooker of the American Battlefield Monument Commission. Hooker had been supervisor of several U.S. military cemeteries in Europe including the D-Day facility in Normandy, France, and the memorial site for the Civil War Naval battle between the USS Kearsarge and CSS Alabama off the coast of Cherbourg, France. Other highlights have included the introduction of the “General John Bell Hood” papers by Hood descendant Sam Hood after his discovery of previously unknown letters and other documents relating to the General’s controversial career, several tours of Tennessee battlefields and a tour of unusual flags being restored at the Tennessee State Museum. “We also supported other groups and sites in Franklin by co-sponsoring several 150th anniversary events and have contributed financially to the local battlefield reclamation efforts,” said Wade. Upcoming events include an emphasis on women’s issues during the war and a presentation by former Georgia football coach Vince Dooley about his new book on a University of Georgia graduate who fought with the Georgia cavalry. “With so many options to take people’s time you have to have fresh ideas and unique presentations to stay viable,” Smith said, “and I think we do a pretty good job at it. To top off their ten year celebration, city of Franklin Mayor Ken Moore recently proclaimed a Franklin Civil War Round Table Day with the proclamation shared at the Tenth Anniversary Banquet. After a dinner and review of the past ten years, Horton delighted the crowd with his humor, instrumental talent, and sometimes poignant music. To see some of the Franklin Civil War Round Table presentations go to: Franklinscharge. org and click on “Round Table.

For additional information please contact: Gregwade55@yahoo.