Battle of Franklin 145 years reenactment

On Saturday, November 28th, we attended the Blue and Gray Days and Carnton Plantation in Franklin, Tennessee. As a part of this day, they had a small reenactment. I wasn't certain if this was supposed to be a show of what happened in this area at the time of the Battle(somehow that didn't seem right), or just a small show for the people who came to pay their respects. Unfortunately, we happened to be standing next a group of teenagers who had very little respect. Shame to think of how many of those who died that day were the same age as these punks. And yet one hundred and forty years ago, the boys of this age fought bravely and had respect.

I hate to compare this small reenactment to the one five years ago that took place at a plantation home in Spring Hill. It was massive and quite impressive. Today there were only about 20-30 soldiers on each side, and two cannons each. Their dedication to recreating and keeping alive the memory of those who fought and those who died so many years ago does not go unnoticed by me. It is the closest those of us now can get to feeling as if we were there. And for someone like me, who reads and researches so much about this period of time, it is truly thought provoking.

I'm not much of a photographer I think, but I imagine myself as a Matthew Brady or Alexander Gardner when I watch reenactments, or visit the reenactors in their camps. I've posted just a few of my photos from Saturday here. A few of them I've done a little playing in Photoshop to see about getting a more historical look and feel to the photos.

And a big Thank You to these reenactors, for all you do.