Franklin 142nd Program's Controversies Are Settled

By Gregory L. Wade

FRANKLIN, Tenn. — Plans for a special ceremony to honor the 1864 Battle of Franklin's 142nd anniversary on Nov. 30, quickly became a controversy about the Confederate battle flag, traffic tie-ups and reenactors with guns.

The planned town square ceremony, complete with 8,000 candles to represent casualties, ran into trouble when Mayor Tom Miller urged the Battlefield Task Force, sponsor of the event, to restrict the flag’s use.

"There is just so much emotion on both sides regarding the battle flag," Miller said during a radio interview. "I don't want anything that could be a rallying point for or against it. And by its presence in downtown it could very well become that rallying point."

A firestorm of e-mail and phone calls soon hit city hall. "Not so fast," reenactor Ronny Mangrum said. "You can't change history, it’s better to educate."

Pearl Bransford, herself an African American preservationist, told the Nashville Tennessean she supported the ceremony’s plan because it presented both sides and was a reminder of the horror of war.

"Don't be afraid to talk about the Civil War," she said. Noting the historical reality of the battle she added, "The mayor will do a speech and I hope included in his speech would be a big part about slavery."

Miller was widely praised for his role in the city's efforts to save large tracts of battleground including 112 acres purchased in 2005 known as the Eastern Flank, which will become a battlefield park.

Longtime resident Gene Wilson noted, "That’s what happens when you go down the politically correct path. Then no one is happy. The flag is part of the battle fought here. Of course it should be part of a anniversary ceremony." And local period civilian impressionist Kim Hoover said the entire controversy is "foolish."

City Administrator Jay Johnson and Alderman Dodson Randolph voiced concerns with the street closures and questioned why the event could not be held on the new battlefield property. 
Franklin preservation leader Joe Smyth countered, "Having this event on the square, with the church bells, the solemn display of the candles, and the respectful ceremony reflects on the soul of this town. This will be a special event."

Franklin Police Chief Jackie Moore expressed concern about reenactors with firearms, but Alderman Dana McClendon, referring to the reenactors’ fundraising march that day, asked, "We're going to allow them (reenactors) to walk from Winstead Hill to the Carter House and then take their guns away? I think people who are hobbyists or enthusiasts are fairly responsible people and don't want to have an incident on their watch."

Aldermen voted 7-1 against having reenactors stack arms outside the town square and banning arms in the ceremony area.

Since the firestorm Mayor Miller "clarified" his position by releasing a statement in the Williamson Herald saying the Tennessean published a "poorly written headline." According to Miller, when he told event planners during a budget meeting "in the strongest possible way I want you to reconsider the use of the flag" he was not suggesting the flag be banned but, "I wanted them to reconsider lowering the flag to half staff."

Mark Cook, editor and general manager of The Tennessean's Williamson County publications, joined the fray. Acknowledging the mayor had a good point that "strongly suggest" is not the same as "not allowed," he wrote that the mayor's words at the meeting were "clear, direct and accurately reported."

Event planners hope to have two reenactor bands playing period music that will come together as one with the Confederate flag being retired and the Union flag flying.

“It will be respectful and in good taste,” said Smyth. “It will be a great event. I am glad nothing historic is being banned. Banning things puts us on a slippery slope. You just don't know where it will end up. Our city officials need to go to other anniversary ceremonies such as Gettysburg to see how powerful these events can be."