Haunted Carnton Plantation...

For this blog, let's talk about Carnton Plantation in Franklin Tennessee. This mansion has a few things in common with the fictional “Starling Plantation,” featured in “Spirit of the Rebellion.”

Randal McGavock built this antebellum home in the year 1826. Like Starling plantation, Carnton served as a hospital for those wounded in battle during the Civil War. In this case, the Battle of Franklin which took place in November of 1864. The injured as well as the dead filled every bed, nook, crook, and cranny of the main structure and exterior buildings on the property. Laid out on the back porch were the bodies of Confederate Generals Adams, Granbury, Stahl, and Cleburne, covered with a Confederate flag, as they awaited the dignity of burial.

Carrie McGavock, wife of John McGavock, earned the name “Angel of Mercy” during this tumultuous time. She willingly opened her home to the wounded and assisted in every possible way, even giving away her linens and clothes for the desperate need of bandages. In a letter penned by a wounded soldier, he states that she “walked though our midst with blood on her skirts.” To this day, bloodstains mar the floors throughout the house.

Is it any wonder then, that the spirits of confederate soldiers haunt the place? One commonly hears the thundering sounds of horses charging across the grounds. Some have witnessed Carrie McGavock wandering through the cemetery she and her husband lovingly founded for those who fell in battle, or sitting on the porch, gazing out at the same. We have reports of small hands touching or shoving guests, as well. Could this ghostly phenomenon be one of the three young children that Carrie lost to prolonged illnesses or something altogether different?

You’ll have to be the judge should you decide to visit Oak Alley or Carnton Plantation yourself.  However, you just might want to take a companion along with you... 

I want to thank all those who have stopped by. I have so enjoyed sharing part of my Halloween celebrations with you and reading all of your comments...

And now... down to business...

I have extracted the name of each person who has left a comment

for the HOWLOWEEN BLOG HOP...

Tossed them gently into our Witches hat...

Stirred gently...

A small little hand reaches in, and pulls out...

Congratulations Rae M! You are the lucky winner of this gorgeous hemalyke necklace, created by Shandra Kay Designs!

View Larger.  Hemalyke Necklace by Shandra Kay.

Leaving a comment for the Howloween Blog Hop makes you eligible to win This gorgeous "one-of-a kind" 20" hemalyke necklace with onyx accents, created by Shandra Kay! As with the first blog hop, the winner's name will be drawn from our Witches hat and posted on this blog Wednesday morning, October 31st.  So don't forget to check back! The winner will need to contact me...