Today marks the 156th anniversary of the Battle of Franklin, November 30, 1864. The history of this battle, perhaps more than any other in the Civil War, is plagued by myth, misinformation, and even outright lies. Much of that is due to the Lost Cause narrative postwar.

So strong was the Lost Cause version of things that modern historians still labor under its shadow in trying to tell the story of Franklin. It permeates the historiography and memory of the battle and seeps into everything.

One reason for this is that the Lost Cause seeks scapegoats to explain defeats. And this was a resounding Confederate defeat, followed by a thorough final defeat at Nashville two weeks later.

One myth that needs to be put to bed forever is that John Bell Hood made his decisions under the influence of laudanum due to his horrific prior injuries. Untrue. The medical records are now out there. No drugs involved.

Another myth is that Hood ordered his assault out of anger, or to teach his timid army a lesson in aggression. Also untrue. There is no evidence to support this. And historians who draw conclusions without evidence are committing malpractice.

This is why historians continue to matter, and always will. History will warp and twist under the weight of cultural demands. We are here to point people to the evidence.

Also, I can’t do math. It’s the 155th, not 156th.