The Battle of Franklin, Tennessee, November 30, 1864: A statement of the erroneous claims made by General Schofield, and an exposition of the blunder which opened the battle

"The Battle of Franklin, Tennessee, November 30, 1864" by John K. Shellenberger is a historical account written in the early 20th century. This book delves into one of the most significant battles of the American Civil War, focusing specifically on the events surrounding the confrontation in Franklin, Tennessee. The author offers a critical examination of the military blunders that led to the Union army's heavy losses, attributing fault to the command decisions made by General Schofield and others. In this meticulous recounting, Shellenberger, who served in the battle as a captain, provides a firsthand narrative of the chaotic events, detailing the positioning of troops, the decisions made by commanders, and the actual combat experience of soldiers on the ground. He specifically argues that General Schofield's miscalculations and inattention played a major role in the catastrophic impact on Union casualties during the battle. Through detailed descriptions of troop movements and the harrowing experiences of the soldiers, Shellenberger aims to shed light on what he perceives as a grievous mishandling of the situation, positing that the unnecessary sacrifices made by the Union forces were largely due to poor leadership. His work serves both as a personal testament and a critical analysis of military strategy during a pivotal moment in the Civil War.