Trace Adkins Stands where his Civil War Ancestor Fought

[@AmericanBattlefieldTrust]

In March, we asked for your help to restore a viewshed at the Franklin Battlefield that has not been seen since the early-1900s. In partnership with The Battle of Franklin Trust, we are thrilled to announce VICTORY for the 160th anniversary of the battle! Learn more about the continued "miracle" at Franklin: www.battlefields.org/news/american-battlefield-trust-lauds-long-awaited-preservation-achievement-advance-battle-franklin

[@vmimid09]

In my opinion, there is no stranger and more cathartic feeling than standing where your ancestors stood and fought. I had ten relatives serve in company B of the 2nd North Carolina Infantry and have done extensive research on all of them. They were part of the brigade commanded by G.B. Anderson/ S.D. Ramseur/ W.R. Cox and fought in some well known locations including the bloody lane at Sharpsburg, Jackson’s flank attack, Oak Hill, the Overland, 1864 Shenandoah campaign, and conducted the last attack/fired the last volley of the Army of Northern Virginia at Appomattox. I have stood in many spots where my ancestors fought and sometimes died. It never gets old and I will never stop doing it. The feeling is the same the tenth time as it was the first. My hats off to Trace for his interest in his ancestor and his honor to him.

[@davidhenryhudson3102]

"Trace Adkins, preservationist. He also sings too." Nice Gary.

[@BillCuddy]

Also spokesman for the Wounded Warrior Project.

[@markadkins9290]

My great grandfather Ezra Adkins fought for Arkansas in the Civil War, been to his grave in Clarksville AR. My other great great great grandfather Capt Drury Adkins fought in the war of 1812 from Tennessee

[@charlierichardson613]

Trace has such a great voice; singing and speaking. I'm glad he's part of the club! And I love his voice overs for the Trust.

[@jimmer1047]

My great grandfather John Allen Wilkerson, born in 1838, fought with the 3rd Arkansas Infantry. A member of Hood's Brigade, Longstreet's corps, Army of Northern Virgina. Severely wounded July 3 1863 during the battle at Gettysburg. He was paroled from Baltimore in late 1863 when he returned to Arkansas. He praised the "Yankee" nurses and doctor that saved his leg. He died in 1919 at age 81.

[@lit549]

@@jimmer1047 Salute

[@JulieDavis-f2c]

Trace is one great singer & he has a strong love for life

[@History_dude1989]

I had the honor of working at a battlefield with the NPS. I had a visitor whose ancestor fought not to far from where I was talking to him and got to take him within a 100 yards of where his ancestor fought. To this day still one of my favorite experiences. Dude was speechless and really greatful.

[@BillCuddy]

Ya get some pretty cool side items talking to the rangers. Back in the late 90s I talked to a woman ranger at the Shiloh Battlefield, and she told me a lot of things I didn't know. Then, just in passing, I asked her that isn't the county we are in - McNairy County the one where Buford Pusser enacted his frontier justice in Walking Tall. She said her brother had been friends with Pusser.

[@traciemack6168]

​@@BillCuddyStupid new phone, yeah I'm old, lol. Thank you for showing us Buford Pusser was a real person. I think some folks forgot about that.

[@REVNUMANEWBERN]

SALUTE a southerner who isn't ashamed of his heritage!

[@traciemack6168]

Thank you, I could go on & on about this subject. I come from a plethora of defeated people. My ancestors were beggars and thieves from England, Ireland, & Scotland, sent here on indentured servant ships. I have Cherokee Indian ancestors, a defeated people who were so far ahead of the 'white man.' The Cherokees were teaching their children to read and write when our young country was mostly illiterate. They sent a delegation to Washington to treat with our white government, yet were tortured and run out of their homes on the Trail of Tears. Sherman burned a lot of Georgia, but he did not burn Paulding county. Thousands lost their lives here, so much so that neither side would claim victory, but Sherman didn't take it. He went around us, and at least as the story goes, when Atlanta saw the fires at New Hope Church, they knew time was short. I am not a racist, I love everyone, but it would be nice to be free to be proud of my ancestors. At least we won the Revolutionary War, and while I don't know the exact lineage, my Daddy's last name and my mother's maiden name is on the Declaration of Independence! Sorry about the soapbox. Please don't take offense, I truly mean no disrespect.

[@buckysimmons5164]

Who thinks Trace would make the perfect spokesman for Civil War Trust 🙋‍♂️. That big booming voice would be fantastic !!

[@exposethenwo6491]

He would be a great addition to the organization.

[@rollinwiththedavises1938]

My great great grandfather, Michael Bebber (55th NC), was captured at the 1st battle at Gettysburg in or near the railroad cut. My husband's great great grandfather, Henderson Goad (24th VA), was captured during Pickett's Charge. I get the goosebumps Trace. We visited Gettysburg a few weeks ago and walked in their footsteps.

[@Hugh_jasshole1980]

Mine were with the 4th NC. Wounded in town on the 1st day and captured 2 days later

[@Regularjoesmhoe]

Wow. To make it over the wall in pickets charge and not get shot or die is incredible

[@justinmays9680]

I have tried to follow all my family that fought in the civil war at all the different battlefields

[@leedhamsportspics8569]

Y’all should make this a series! Bring some famous people to where their ancestors fought. Would be super interesting.

[@exposethenwo6491]

That is a good idea. But I would also like to see just average people tell their stories of ancestors in the war. Two of my ancestors from Grainger County, Tennessee were on Union side. Mostly particular in actions in East Tennessee in 1862-63 such as Battle of Mills Spring, Knoxville and Atlanta Campaign.

[@Kenneth-c4j]

My great great grandfather Dennis Leary and his brothers served in the Union Army of the Potomac. Dennis survived Antietam, Gettysburg,and many other horrific battles. But he didn't survive the war.. May He and all of those Heroes of the North and South R.I P .👍🇺🇸🙏

[@BillCuddy]

Then he had a second career as a comedian and as a detective on Law and Order.

[@terryeustice5399]

Thank you Garry and Trace having a relative in that battle in Franklin. Was unreal. Thanks for sharing. 💯❤️👊👍

[@BellesDreams]

Trace, I like you get goosebumps just thinking that you are standing where your grandfather stood, fought, ran, dodged, took cover….God Bless your grandfather…..I am sorry that my ancestors (4 brothers , oldest being my grandfather) fought against your grandfather 😢 war is hell !

[@GLITTERandSKULLZ]

My great great uncle William A Payton's drums are on display at Kennesaw mountain Georgia.

[@exposethenwo6491]

My ancestor Elihu Clevenger was at Kennesaw Mountain. 1st Infantry Regiment Union Volunteers of East Tennessee.

[@carolmartin7502]

Trace has a hvery strong voice and smooth i love to hear his songs there very down to earth and his ongs do the same thing he a great singer keepnit up trace

[@The_PaleHorseman]

I stood where my ancestors fought at Shiloh. Theodore C Altman, Company H of the 59th OVI, day two, he was my great great grandfather and was 18 at the time. His brother, my great great uncle Gregory Altman was killed the same day in that spot, was in the same company. Theodore was wounded, recovered in Louisville and came back during the Chattanooga campaign. Was at Kennesaw Mountain as well, mustered out in Atlanta in late 1864. Came back to Bethel Ohio and had a farm. Every generation has served in my family from the revolution to now. I did two branches navy and Army, OIF/OEF was a aviation machinist mate on a flight deck then when I went army was a combat engineer. Deployed. My nephew comes home December 13th this year from Germany, he’s with the 173rd airborne, attached to the 91st cavalry Regiment. Haven’t seen him since 2019 and can’t wait to see him! Also love you Trace Adkins!!!! Love your music and your support of us troops! Mean it!

[@michaelriley3734]

Mine at Antietam…

[@JacobSutton-bh6km]

My ancestor was also in the 59th. Perry Robb, Sergeant, company F I believe. Wounded at Chicamauga and died at Chattanooga

[@JacobSutton-bh6km]

Sorry. Company G actually. Wounded by a shell that broke his arm and left leg. Captured by the enemy and returned a week later. Died in hospital. Left my third great grandmother at the age of 6 , and her brother not born yet.

[@The_PaleHorseman]

@ I’m sorry that happened but that’s wild we found each other! Also from Claremont county Ohio? Most of them were from around Bethel. I know they mustered into service in September of 1861 at Maysville Kentucky. The thing that blew my mind was my great great grandfather was hit in the right “hip” it says but a 57 caliber round hitting the hip without shattering the entire hip and coming back from it is crazy. I always wondered if it grazed him and was flesh wound, had to of been in my mind. But he came back for Chattanooga. I heard there was a group on Facebook dedicated to the 59th OVI.

[@exposethenwo6491]

I have been to Shiloh several times.

[@carolmartin7502]

Trace has a great voice he sing just as strong with his voice and he so down to earth with his songs and he sing smooth also i like to hear his voice on the radio madwoman ❤❤❤

[@TermiteUSA]

So cool.

[@delnunley7026]

One of my favorite battlefields

[@larrydemaar409]

This was so interesting, thanks for sharing.

[@ToddP]

This is awesome Tracey. I have got to visit that site. I'm proud of the work all of you are doing to preserve American History.

[@ThreeZeroOne]

This was a treat. Was so elated when i started hearing his voice with the ABT logo in the background. Well played, smart move. And great vid. 👍

[@jasonwilliamson8416]

Several years ago during a visit to Gettysburg I got to stand on the grounds of the Lutheran Theological Seminary. It was there that my great great uncle Thomas Daugherty lost his life. He was a Sergeant in Company K, 19th Indiana Infantry of the Iron Brigade. He was killed in action on July 1st 1863 as the Men Of Iron made their desperate last stand against overwhelming odds. It was incredibly surreal to stand on the same ground. He was originally buried where he fell by Confederate soldiers but shortly after the battle his body was identified and reburied on Cemetery Hill where he still rests today.

[@BellesDreams]

I am so sorry💔 war is hell.

[@Regularjoesmhoe]

Not trying to tell you anything i could completely wrong. But I believe your ancestor more liekly would have fallen in the woods in front of the seminary. Unless he got sniped or artillery hit him.

[@BillCuddy]

Must have been near the spot where Gen. Reynolds was killed.

[@michaelpatterson2955]

Excellent video! Please make more such videos honoring the sons of the South and their sacrifice for liberty. Well done.

[@RhetroRP]

All of them must be really tall lol. My band opened for Trace last month in Louisville, KY…and took a picture with him backstage after the show,,, I’m 5’8”, and looked like a little kid next to Trace

[@jacobmasters438]

Thomas Cartwright has to be thrilled about this preservation. When I think of Franklin Tennessee I think immediately of the stories told by him. I hear he's still alive. I would love to visit someday.

[@josephstevens9888]

Wonderful video! I'm pleased Trace Adkins got to visit the place where his ancestor fought. My great-great grandfather served in an Ohio Regiment. I need to do some research to find out what unit, and where he served.

[@jalbertking5170]

I love this channel

[@nathanfranco7846]

Wow so proud of you sweetheart

[@James-3]

Same here. Mine was in the 29th Pennsylvania, company b. Fought in Gettysburg near Spangler’s spring

[@ct9361]

Mine was your ancestor 's acting division commander. BG Ruger 3rd Brigade, 1st Division XII Corps during Gettysburg.

[@Snuffy03]

I did not know Trace Adkins had Confederate ancestors. Most celebrities would deny such a fine heritage. I had 2 ancestors on my Mother's side of the family at the Battles of Franklin and Nashville. They were with the 63rd Virginia Infantry from its formation in May, 1862 until its surrender at Durham Station NC, on April 26, 1865. The 63rd fought in 10 states and was in 70 engagements during its 3 years of service. My good friend and author, the late Jeffrey Weaver wrote an excellent history of the 63rd.

[@scoggins07]

My great great uncle served in Company D 2nd Tennessee Calvary on the union side.

[@exposethenwo6491]

Two ancestors on paternal grandmother's side (Clevenger) were in 1st Infantry Regiment and another in 9th Calvary Regiment Union Volunteers of East Tennessee.

[@crewmax4240]

I moved to NC and discovered I live about 15 miles from where my Great Grandfather (Alabama) was captured on 13 April 1864. I can’t get on the exact spot because it has a water treatment facility on it.

[@BellesDreams]

😢 maybe a special permission? If you ask a mayor, maybe?

[@ruthhilsdorf3210]

My great grandfather was from Illinois, we don’t have a huge amount of info but do know he was involved in the Atlanta campaign & fought at Lookout Mountain. I visited that battlefield in 1969, just a year out of high school. To know I could have been walking the same ground he fought over was extremely emotional. I can appreciate Trace Adkins’ goosebumps.

[@beckypeters5449]

My dad's family is from Southern Illinois Murphysboro Grand Tower area. My Great Great Uncle is Gen John Logan

[@twotavernstodd]

Fantastic

[@grthillbilly]

My GGG Grandfather Sgt. Samuel G. Dawson was in the 21st Virginia Infantry Co. E. Fought at Gettysburg and wounded there. I walk that battlefield every year.

[@JohnLaRue-zp2uj]

What a great posting. I remember that there was a carrier called the U.S.S. Franklin. Folks back in WWII, thought it was for Benjamin Franklin, but it was for the Battle of Franklin during the Civil War. Hey, here's an idea but it's probably been thought of. Why not raffle/select for a chance to be a part of one of these video's? Give folks a chance to take part of history, while learning more about it?....Well done and thank you Mr. Adkins!

[@JohnLaRue-zp2uj]

Not sure if this could be done, but with the earnings going towards battlefield preservation??

[@silverstar4289]

To walk on the grounds that an ancestor bled upon does give an emotional response.

[@WayneJordan-r4k]

So glad all of this was saved

[@calebjames7444]

I visit Maj. Gen. Walthall's and Gen. Featherston's graves often on my lunch break in Holly Springs, MS. Samuel Benton is also buried there. So it's always awesome to hear stories about them. Featherston lost his wife, son and daughter to a yellow fever outbreak in Holly Springs within the timeframe of 14 days in 1878. I can't imagine his pain and heartbreak.

[@Ghostgray]

15th Mississippi. Strong Regiment.

[@drewprice8468]

Respect.

[@drivergj1972]

Semper Fi from a 23 yr Veteran and my 3rd great grandfather Harrison Bryant was killed in action at Franklin 30 Nov 1864 with the 7th Regiment Mississippi Infantry

[@grayyoung6109]

I’m related to Rufus Dawes of the Iron Brigade. I’ve been to Gettysburg. Have yet to follow his tracks thoroughly.

[@tumbleweed2240]

Wow! ❤get cracking!

[@kyledunn6853]

Hurrah for the Iron Brigade

[@jacobmasters438]

I worked with a Ryan Dawes at McDonald's in Cambridge City, Indiana more than a decade ago. He was a descendant of either Rufus or his brother.

[@grayyoung6109]

@ my grandfather, Robert Dawes was a destroyer captain in the pacific in WW2. I’m definitely under achieving:).

[@celticnorthman3615]

My favorite civil war soldier, real leader!!

[@lit549]

I took the Carnton and Carter house tour last summer, realized in the middle of it that my 2nd great grandad and his brother fought there. And apparently right next to Traces family! My gg-dad was in the 29th Alabama/Walthall, Shelly brigade in the battle.

[@bradkarlzahn-bp6jx]

Awesome, Trace!! Couldn't be happier to see your interest...can you believe some people don't even care much about Genealogy, or History in general?!? Absolutely captivating stuff!! Best Regards from New Hampshah!! SUVCW, Pvt. Lawrence D Cooley, Co. F, 10th NH VOL INF REG "The Irish Regiment" wounded at Cold Harbor 3 JUN 1864 🇺🇸🗽🇺🇸🎗️🇺🇸⚖️🇺🇸💪👊💣💥🇺🇸 Its a beautiful Country, isn't it, brother?!? 😎🇺🇸🙏

[@dennisguttrich7442]

My GGrandfather was there, 129th Indiana Volunteer infantry .Co.E.

[@ct9361]

My ancestor commanded the division that included the 129th Indiana, BG Ruger commander, 2nd Division XXIII Corps at Franklin.

[@BillMeyer-fs6wq]

The Howell family my ancestors fought on both sides of the Civil War

[@jeffadams9807]

My Ancestor Was Gen. John Adams, He Led The Charge On The Right Flank & Was Killed At Franklin, Tenn On Nov 30th, 1864...

[@AmericanBattlefieldTrust]

😢

[@borowland5744]

I think my GG Grandfather fought there with the 7th Mississippi Company I.

[@forexed8948]

Trace is descended of one of the lucky ones who survived the Gettysburg of the west, the battle of Franklin, the spirit of death was there to claim his last bloody harvest before the war mercifully ended half a year later

[@michaelkaminsky9914]

Many of my ancestors fought in the civil war. Many of them were present at Gettysburg, one of them being captured ( George Washington Abel 4th VA Calvary..... Held at Ft Delaware then transferred to Point Lookout. He managed to survive his internment there. Ended up passing away of old age in Robert E Lee camp and now rests in Hollywood Cemetery.) Others were in the 8th VA Infantry ( John and Robert Abel brothers Pickett's Div Garnett's Brigade. ) Some were on Culps hill there names escape me at the moment ( Abels again ).

[@RuralLifeAndFamily]

I like how he says… Trace Adkins- preservationist and he sings some too 😂😂. Good one

[@terryelrod5008]

I stood at Chickamauga where my 18 year old gg grandfather was with Gists brigade. Bucket list is to walk a ggg grandfathers path at Franklin. He was with Scott's brigade.

[@richiephillips1541]

I hope to visit the Virginia battlefields and see where my great-great-grandfather and his two brothers fought with Company C of the 8th Louisiana Infantry.

[@jamesshepherd5246]

May God bless our brave Confederate ancestors!

[@josephnason8770]

Last fall a friend and l walked down Baltimore Street in Gettysburg where, according to my friends great great grandfather's journal had his horse blasted out from under him by Union shrapnel from artillery on the first day of the battle. He was a Confederate cavalry Sargent under Jubal Early. They entered Gettysburg from the East. It was a moving experience for us as this video explains. We also saw my friend' great great great grandmother's grave at the cemetary North of Spencer, West Virginia named Hodam Cemetary. She was the mother of this cavalry sargent. I love history even though l have lived in Sacramento, California for 68 years. I didn't take the jab and guess who l voted for three times.

[@tumbleweed2240]

Talk about being in the vortex of hell! Great vignette 👍🫡

[@thomaschew2191]

I started reading about the civil war when I was 18, I'm now 66. Living in NJ from birth to 46 then for the last 20 years in PA I have been to most battlefields in the east, some of them many many times, Antietam and Gettysburg 25+ times. I've only however been to western theatre sites a few times, Atlanta, Chickamauga, Kennesaw, that's really about it. I want to change all that and thinking about Shiloh and Franklin in particular as I can integrate that into a trip to Nashville and so those CW sites as well. Currently reading a book on the Battle of Belmont, a battle I knew absolutely nothing about a month ago.

[@ChuckG92]

I need to go again. My direct ancestor--and his brothers, cousins fought with the 56th GA under Stevenson and another relative was States Rights Gist who did not survive the battle.

[@josephstevens9888]

I take it your ancestor fought in the Battle of Franklin; what a meat-grinder of a battle. It ranks right up there with Fredericksburg and Cold Harbor on needless waste of life.

[@ChuckG92]

⁠​​⁠Yes. Surrendered at Vicksburg, patrolled, exchanged, fought at Atlanta, Franklin, Nashville and surrendered with Johnston in NC May, 1865

[@davealfveby5418]

Thank you Eric, Joe, Trace, and Garry! Where exactly is that field & marker? (Getting down to Franklin from MN is on my list)

[@AmericanBattlefieldTrust]

maps.apple.com/?ll=35.913209,-86.868456&q=Marked%20Location&t=h

[@kyleUT]

Sadly, Trace knows what it feels like to be shot.

[@AJJohnson164]

I’m a direct descendant of Bushrod Rust Johnson, he was a Lt General at Shiloh where he was hurt, and later promoted to Major General later on in the war. I’ve been to Shiloh and stood where he was hurt.

[@johnportanova2583]

I stood where my ancestor fought at battle of 1st Bull Run Co H 69th NYSM

[@PeggyMiller-kv6el]

That's great

[@kyledunn6853]

Say a prayer for peace For every fallen son Sweet mother of Mary we're so tired But we can't come home till the last shot's fired

[@higgme1ster]

My Great Grand Father fought with the 29th Alabama Infantry Regiment in The Battle of Peachtree Creek in Atlanta. It is 22 minutes drive south-south-east down I-75 from where I live in Marietta. Also I found out a few years ago that my Maternal Great Great Grand Father was also in the 29th Alabama Infantry Regiment but in a different Company.

[@MorganOtt-ne1qj]

Cavalry, 4th Va, Co H descendant. I still live on land that was owned by the family. I have searched for his service records, but haven't had any luck, yet. I'm sure that I have trod the same ground though.

[@freegw1]

My ancestor Peg leg Freeman was a confederate war hero and is buried in Tennessee .

[@MichaelWallace-qc7ct]

ABT Gary ya'll the best ❤❤❤❤

[@sandywhite4042]

I had relatives on both sides fighting each other . My uncle Found out we had a family member who was a General in it too

[@DrBible-ThD-HarvardLaw]

Make a good song, “I love that when I get that feeling.” 5:54

[@drewprice8468]

I think Trace Adkins should narrate a re-issue of Shelby Foote’s Civil War Trilogy…nothing like a deep southern voice for storytelling.

[@SandraParker-dw2bf]

Hey trace that's alright. I've got um to in the civ war. ❤ I want to stand where my ancestors did too.

[@kevinhart8339]

Wake up, Babe. A new Gary Adelman just dropped...

[@AmericanBattlefieldTrust]

@@kevinhart8339 😂

[@kituwahband]

My GG g/p was 3rd Indian Home Guards out of Ft Gibson, OK (i still have his old papers dated early 1860s)...i would say do a vid on them, but it would be a boring video!! 😂 Edit: spelling & clarity

[@The_Joker_420]

His ancestors faught for the Confederacy

[@brendaables1031]

Isn't another scam to

[@DixieForeverRJ]

Does Trace Akins realize that Eric Jacobson has done more to besmirch and smear the legacy of his ancestor than perhaps any other? I'm a member of the American Battlefield Trust and really appreciate these videos, but Eric A Jacobson, the CEO of Battle of Franklin Trust has lost credibility. He is recognized as more of a Yankee revisionist propagandist than an honest historian. The Carnton and Carter house sites he controls are now only presented in a shallow, biased, twisted Yankee perspective and anyone with a contrary position are censored, shunned and banned from their social media sites. It's unfortunate such a man is so hostile to those who seek truth, perspective, and historical reality.

[@nockreel1190]

Stop calling them ancestors it hasn't been 500 years yet😂 there family members. Greats and triple greats.