When: July 11
Where: Otterbein University Chapel. Corner of Grove Street and Cochran Alley, Westerville Ohio 43081
New Location: Please go to the “About the COCWRT” tab for further information
Time: 7pm
Speaker: Eric Jacobson
Topic: Baptism of fire at the battle of Franklin
In the fall of 1864, the American Civil War was three and a half years old. Over half a million soldiers were already dead, 
and the war dragged on with cruel impunity. That autumn the beautiful hills and valleys of Middle Tennessee bore witness to the last great campaign of the war, one that ultimately helped to decide its outcome. At Franklin a fateful and vicious battle would be fought, one that remained seared in the minds of those who managed to survive it. In the midst of its awful fury were three regiments of United States soldiers who had never before been in combat. These men from Missouri and Ohio played key roles in helping to decide the conclusion of the battle, and never before has their story been fully understood or explained. Baptism of Fire is a detailed and compelling look at these long forgotten regiments, with much emphasis on the men who composed them. Much more than a battle history, this book relates the individual stories of the soldiers who left their homes to fight for what they believed to be right and how they ended up at a place called Franklin.
Eric Jacobson has been studying the American Civil War for nearly 25 years. A Minnesota native, Eric lived in Arizona for over a decade before relocating to Middle 
Tennessee in 2005. He is the author of For Cause & For Country: A Study of the Affair at Spring Hill and the Battle of Franklin, a project which encompassed nearly 10 years. Published in March 2006 the book is considered by some to be one of the most important books ever written about the 1864 Tennessee Campaign. Eric’s second book, The McGavock Confederate Cemetery, was published in April 2007. He is currently the Chief Operating Officer and Historian for the Battle of Franklin Trust, which manages the Carter House and Carnton. His third book, entitled Baptism of Fire, which details the roles of three Federal regiments at the Battle of Franklin, was released in September 2011. Eric lives in Spring Hill, Tennessee, with his wife, Nancy, and their two daughters.
