PHOTOS BY ANDREW COLLIGNON
154 years after the single-most traumatic event in the history of Franklin, the names of the men who died during or after the fighting on Nov. 30, 1864, were read aloud and candles representing the casualties in the battle were lighted inside and outside the Carnton mansion.
Due to a forecast of possible heavy rain, organizers of the annual memorial were ready to move the ceremonies inside the mansion, which was one of many buildings in Franklin used to treat the wounded in the bloody battle. This was the first time ever that the illumination happened inside the house.
In addition to paper sack luminaries arrayed on the lawn of Carnton, hundreds of battery-operated “tea lights” decorated the interior of the historic home.
A company of reenactors fired a cannon salute, and some spent the night on site.
A reenactor carries the tea lights in his hat as he helps with set-up.
Luminaries line the balcony railings of Carnton.
