Battle of Franklin Trust board member and New York Times bestselling author Robert Hicks has been tapped by The New York Times to write an editorial on “Why the Civil War Matters” for the July 3 edition commemorating the 150th Anniversary of Pickett’s Charge.
“I’ve contributed to The New York Times in the past, but in so many ways, it really was an honor to be asked to put the Civil War into context of our lives today, both as individuals and as a nation,” said Hicks.
Pickett’s Charge was held on the third day of the Battle of Gettysburg on July 3, 1863. Pickett’s Charge momentarily pierced the Union line but was driven back with severe casualties during the Battle of Gettysburg, July 1-July 3, 1863. Stuart’s cavalry attempted to gain the Union rear but was repulsed. Lee began withdrawing his army toward Williamsport on the Potomac River July 4, concluding the Battle of Gettysburg; his train of wounded stretched more than fourteen miles.
Gettysburg was the bloodiest battle of the Civil War with at least 46,000 casualties in three days, while Franklin was considered the bloodiest with 10,000 casualties in five hours.
“It’s rewarding to see The New York Times editorialize the significance of the Civil War in today’s world,” said Susan Whitaker, the Tennessee Tourism Commissioner and co-chair of the Governor’s Sesquicentennial Committee. “Franklin is often referred to as ‘the Gettysburg of the western theatre’ and no one can capture that story and bring light to the commemoration better than Franklin’s nationally-known author Robert Hicks.”
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