By Mark Ambrogi

It’s been nearly 150 years since the Battle of Franklin, but it still stands out for its brutality.

“For moments, hours and considering the numbers engaged, it’s the bloodiest battle in American history,” Civil War historian David Fraley said

Fraley will discuss “The Valley of Death: Franklin, Tennessee” at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 19 at the Hamilton County Civil War Roundtable. The event will be held in Conner Prairie’s Lilly Room on the second floor.

Nearly 3,000 died in the five-hour battle with only 45 minutes of daylight on Nov. 30, 1864. Fraley said most died in those 45 minutes.

“It was actually a Confederate victory because the Confederates held the field the next day,” Fraley said. “In the 19th century, whoever held the battlefield the next day were considered the victors. The Confederates took the most losses but held the field.”

Fraley estimated 2,300 of those who died were Confederate soldiers. Fraley was formerly the interim executive director and curator of Carter House museum, which is on the battlefield in Franklin, a suburb of Nashville. Fraley, who worked 12 years at Carter House, also worked four years at the Lotz House Civil War Museum in Franklin. Fraley has since returned to live in Anderson, Ind., where he grew up.

Fraley, 51, is writing a book about the battle flags and the Tennessee Campaign of 1864, including battles in Franklin, Nashville and Spring Hill. Fraley, who has been writing the book for the past 1 1/2 years, said he expects it will land with the publisher in May 2015.

“I’ve been compiling research for years and it’s finally reached critical mass,” said Fraley, who frequently gives speeches around the Midwest.

Jack Shaffer, a Carmel resident, is the treasurer for the Hamilton County Civil War Roundtable, which meets once a month except in December.

“We’re dealing with some awesome history that you are not going to normally pick up in a classroom,” Shaffer said. “Many of our speakers have been authors in the past.”

Conner Prairie is located at 13400 Allisonville Rd., Fishers. Visit connerprairie.org for more information.