You don’t have to be an American Civil War expert to appreciate the stories of Civil War survivors. I’m certainly no expert. I don’t know a brigade from a battalion, my adjutant from a hole in the ground. But I gravitate to the perspectives. The stories of the ones who fought and the ones who didn’t. The ones who lived long after the last body was buried. The ones who saw it all. Those stories were exactly what I heard and saw at Rippa Villa, Carnton, and Carter House in Spring Hill and Franklin, Tennessee. Stories over 160 years old.

Rippa Villa, Carnton, and Carter House are American Civil War-era estates managed and preserved by the 501(c)(3) Battle of Franklin Trust.

Locations of These 3 Civil War Survivors

You’ll find Rippa Villa, Carnton, and Carter House in the cities of Spring Hill and Franklin, Tennessee at the sites of two key American Civil War battles- the Battle of Spring Hill and the Battle of Franklin. Just outside the windows of these three historic homes, the Confederates were outwitted, outfought, and utterly defeated by the Union Army leaving the families with thousands of bodies spread across their fields. Imagine that.

I toured all three homes and got far more than my imagination bargained for.

Speaking of bargains…

Tour Tickets

Tickets for classic tours of the homes are $22 per adult for a total cost of $66 if you want to tour all three. However, I found a way to see Rippa Villa, Carnton, and Carter House for a grand total of $30!

When I researched the homes on the Battle of Franklin Trust website in early February, a popup link invited visitors to tour Rippa Villa for $5 and Carnton for $10. This was a limited time offer that I hope Battle of Franklin Trust makes available in the future. I also found a link to purchase a combination ticket for Carnton and Carter House tours between March 1st and June 30th for $25 (online sales only).

The tour prices I quote are for classic tours only. All three of these Civil War survivors have special tours focusing on specific subjects. Those tours are typically not discounted. See the Battle of Franklin Trust website for current tour schedules and ticket prices.

Rippa Villa

5700 Main St., Spring Hill, TN 37174

Nat Cheairs, III built the first home after acquiring the property in 1811. His son, Nat Cheairs, IV built the Greek Revival home known as Rippa Villa in 1850. That is the home you see here today. In 1920, the Cheairs family sold Rippa Villa. The property changed hands many times until the City of Spring Hill finally purchased it in 2017.

Rippa Villa’s most notable contemporary resident was General Motors. The company leased the property to use as part of its Saturn Corporation headquarters during the 1990’s, I’m not sure General Motors was the best steward. You’ll see what I mean on the tour.

Rippa Villa’s Civil War Story

The house and Cheairs family inside were witnesses to the 1864 Battle of Spring Hill. I won’t get into General Hood this and Schofield that. I already told you my brain doesn’t comprehend all that military-talk. What I know is that on November 29, 1864, under the cover of darkness from the new moon, the whole Union Army is said to have marched straight up the Columbia Turnpike eluding thousands of Confederate troops encamped in Rippa Villa’s fields. They marched straight on to triumph at the Battle of Franklin.

Are We Really Supposed to Believe That?

I don’t. An army carrying artillery and supplies doesn’t shuffle down a dirt road during the night totally undetected by their enemy lying in the adjacent fields. Somebody saw or heard something. Had to. I can barely make it from my bed to the bathroom in the dark without banging up a shin.

But to be honest, if I had been a Confederate soldier camped out in a cold, dark field in 1864 after fighting a three-year war, maybe I would have kept my mouth shut, too. Maybe I would have said, “Forget this horse crap. I just want to go home,” and pretended to be in deep sleep.

Anyway, just do the tour. There’s a lot more to learn about the history of the Cheairs family and the slaves who lived there. Docents will tell you all about the architecture (splendid) and interior design of the home as well as clue you in on some future plans for the grand old dame. Before or after your tour, take a drive around the property to see the battlefield, cemetery and slave cabins.

Carnton

1345 Eastern Flank Circle, Franklin, TN 37064

A few years ago, I picked up a book titled The Widow of the South at the Stones River National Battlefield visitor center in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. It is the story of Carrie McGavock and how she turned Carnton, her beloved home, into a field hospital for hundreds of wounded Confederate soldiers after the Battle of Franklin. The story was riveting and ended with me knowing I had to see Carnton for myself. After 28 years of living within an hour from this American Civil War survivor, I finally did.

Carnton’s Civil War Story

The Carnton story is a continuation of Rippa Villa’s story. After the troops left Rippa Villa, they marched to Carnton and for the next five hours fought one of the bloodiest battles of the American Civil War. And the McGavock family watched, heard, and prepared for the aftermath.

After the battle, injured soldiers stumbled or were carried to Carnton to be treated by doctors on standby. Carnton became amputation central making it one of the bloodiest homes of the Civil War. It’s estimated 150 soldiers died at Carnton that night.

Are We Really Supposed to Believe That?

Yes. Blood stains don’t lie and neither do over a thousand graves. Although macabre, the blood stains are what left the greatest impression on me. They make Carnton’s story very, very real.

But You Won’t Believe This

I did an internet search for additional information about Carnton after I got home and realized I didn’t even see the front of the house! The tour began at the entrance in the photo above. You’d assume this is the front of the house, right? Wrong! This is the back porch. I returned to Carnton three weeks later for a second tour just to see the front of the house for myself.

Make sure you walk around the entire home and notice how different the front facade looks from the back.

Carter House

1140 Columbia Ave., Franklin, TN 37064

The Carter House has lots of holes in its story. Bullet holes. In fact, you won’t find another structure in America that bears more Civil War battle scars than Carter House (according to the docent). Those scars tell an intense story and are often what visitors remember most about their Carter House tour.

Carter House’s Civil War Story

After leaving Carnton, the soldiers continued their march toward downtown Franklin. A makeshift headquarters was set up in the Carter House living room, where the Union troops were being directed by General Jacob Cox. Where was the family? Huddled in the basement. You’ll see that basement on the tour.

Are We Really Supposed to Believe That?

The bullet holes don’t lie. Neither do some of the artifacts that have been shockingly preserved for over 160 years.

Like the blood stains at Carnton, the bullet holes in the walls of Carter House gave me goosebumps. I tried to put myself in the shoes of the Carters. I smelled the smoke, tasted the metallic twang of fear, heard the sound of gunfire, felt the shaking of the ground. The tour was a sobering experience.

Which American Civil War Survivor Was My Favorite?

You can probably guess. I am a bookworm, after all. You may have a different favorite.

Treat Yourself at The Fainting Goat

Stop in The Fainting Goat coffee shop across the street from Carter House before or after your tour. Along with its modern vibe and amusing artwork, The Fainting Goat has breakfast and lunch fare, a unique drink menu, and an unbeatable view of Carter House. This was the perfect spot to indulge in The Fainting Goat’s signature iced Queen Caramel Latte.

Other Local American Civil War Sites of Interest

Tennessee is ripe with American Civil War history. The sites listed below are just a few you can see in Middle Tennessee. If you are a national park addict like me, the Stones River National Battlefield in Murfreesboro is one you don’t want to miss. (You can get your National Park Passport stamped there.)

Lotz House– 1111 Columbia Ave., Franklin, TN 37064

Travellers Rest Historic House and Museum– 636 Farrell Parkway, Nashville, TN 37220

Stones River National Battlefield– 1563 N. Thompson Lane, Murfreesboro, TN 37129

Oaklands Mansion– 900 N. Maney Ave., Murfreesboro, TN 37130

Belmont Mansion– 1907 Belmont Blvd., Nashville, TN 37212

Belle Meade Historic Site & Winery– 5025 Harding Pike, Nashville, TN 37205 (My favorite time to visit Belle Meade is during the Christmas season.)

Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage (home of former U.S. President Andrew Jackson)- 4580 Rachels Lane, Hermitage, TN 37076

If you are interested in homes with ties to the American Civil War, make plans to visit the Lincoln Home National Historic Site in Springfield, Illinois. You can read all about our visit in my article, Springfield’s Lincoln- 3 Places You Need to See.

From the Library