In the 1850s, Carter built a cotton gin on his property that became a much-remembered landmark during the Second Battle of Franklin in 1864.

[2] Though the cotton gin no longer stands, the house and the other three buildings are still intact and illustrate the horror of the Civil War battle with over a thousand bullet holes still visible.

Prior to the fight, the house was taken over as the headquarters of the Twenty-Third Army Corps commanded by Brigadier General Jacob D.

[3] Federal breastworks were erected just south of the home extending to both the east and west of Columbia Pike.

Tod Carter died of his wounds December 2, 1864, and was buried in Rest Haven Cemetery just north of town.