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During the Weekend of October 9-11, 1998, a reunion of descendents of those that fought in the Battle of Franklin gathered in Franklin. The 125th Ohio was well represented at the gathering although Union descendents were outnumbered by those from the Confederacy. Regardless of the make-up of the participants, there was no anomosity shown. We were all there for the same purpose - to honour our ancestors.

On Friday evening, a dinner was held and presentations were made on various aspects of the battle. The room was decorated with both US flags and the Battle Flag of the Confederacy.

We all gathered at the Carter House on Saturday morning and boarded school busses and traveled south to Spring Hill, for it was the action at Spring Hill that resulted in the battle at Franklin the following day. The busses drove us up to the top of the hill where the Confederate force assembled. It is through the efforts of The Association for the Preservation of Civil War Battlefields that this hill was saved from development. Our guides, pointed out the movement of the various units during the day and night of Nov. 29, 1864. On return to the Carter House, various landmarks were pointed out. Lunch was held on the grounds of the Carter House and following that, trees were planted in the names of our ancestors. Boarding the busses again, the group was taken to the Harrison House and given a tour of the facilities. Returning towards Franklin, a stop was made at Winstead Hill, where John Bell Hood had his headquarters during the battle. There was a spectacular view across the "Valley of Death" to the location of the Union Lines, two miles to the north.

That evening, a dinner was held followed by a "living history" presentation by William and Clara Coleman, of Woodburn, OR. The presentation was opened with William playing the guitar and singing "Marching Through Georga". Without a pause, he then played, "The Bonny Blue Flag". At the conclusion of the presentation he again picked up the guitar and the strains of "Dixie" spread through the room. But to show the spirit of unity, he blended it into the strains of "The Battle Hymn of the Republic". All participants, both Union and Confederate, rose to their feet at the sounds of the stirring melodies. The lights were dimmed and each person lit a candle and rose to name their ancestor.

I was unable to stay for Sunday's activities but a tour of the Confederate Cemetary and Fort Granger was planned.

Below is a photo of the 125th contingent taken in the backyard of the Carter House, where the 125th fought during the battle.

Left to right:

Bert and Anne Chapman, Mike and Rose Bash, Wayne and Alice McElfresh, George and Ginny Opdycke, and Nelson Haldane

On a beautiful October weekend, descendant of men who fought in the Battle of Franklin and their friends and famlies, gathered in Franklin, to honour those that fought so bravely for what they belived. They came from 21 states and two foreign countries. The 125th was well represented by 17 attendees. Many wearing 125th "Tiger" shirts and hats. So taken with them that Thomas Cartright, of the Carter Housesaid he would like one. At the Saturday evening dinner, George Opdyck presented him with one and declared him an honouary member of the "Opdycke Tigers" For the 125th group, the highlight of the weekend was the dedication of a plaque to the 125th OVI. The ceremony opened with special music by the Franklin High School Choir. This was followd by a welcome by Gene McNeil of the Carter House. Heath Mathews, also of the Carter House, spoke on "All for the Union: What the 125th O.V.I. fought for", followed by a short history of the regiment by Nelson Haldane. The plaque was unveiled by Nelson haldane and Wayne McElfresh. A colour guard made up of Federal and Confederate reenactors (including Dennis Carter, a descendant of Cpl. James Carter, Co. K, 125th OVI) fired a salute. The next reunion will be held in 2002.

Those attending, representing the 125th were:

George and Ginny Opdycke (Col. Emerson Opdycke)
Wayne and Alice McElfresh (Pvt. Ira Ellis Wooley, Co. K)
Bert and Anne Chapman (Pvt. Cassius Birch, Co. H)
Dennis and Linda Carter  (Cpl. James M. Carter, Co. K)
Robert and  Ruby Carter (Cpl. James M. Carter, Co. K)
Teri Carter (Cpl. James M. Carter, Co. K)
Mike and Rose Bash (Pvt. Ira Ellis Wooley, Co. K)
Dale Fishel (Pvt. Warren C. Fishel, Co. B)
Nelson Haldane (Capt. Charles T. Clark, Co. F)
James “Tom” and Linda Addicot (Pvt. David S. Phillips, CO. I)

Special thanks to Bill Wilson and Bruce McDonald, Reenactors from the 125th Ohio Group of Atlanta, GA.
 
 

Colours of the 125th	Another Shot of the Colours	125th group at lunch at the Carter House
Nelson Haldane giving talk on history of 125th OVI	Colour Guard	Salute to the 125th
125th Group after unveiling ceremony	Bruce McDonald and Bill Wilson, 233"> Presentation of 125th "Tiger" shirt to Thomas Cartright by George Opdycke

Presentation of 125th "Tiger" shirt to Thomas Cartright by George Opdycke