Colonel Opdycke was part of Wagner's Division which formed the rear guard for the troops marching to Franklin.They had been fighting for four days and nights with little or no sleep.Upon arriving at Franklin Wagner ordered Opdycke's men to the front lines ahead of the main entrenchments.Opdycke refused and took his men behind the main line of works ,where they took up a position in reserve about two hundred yards behind the Carter House for some rest. When the Confedrates charged Wagners front lines the men retreated into the main entrenchments with the Confederates follwing.This created a gap near the Columbia Pike,the Confederates taking control of the lines and the guns enplaced there.Opdycke's men seeing the what was going on instinctivly picked up their weapons and began a counter charge,everyone thinking that Opdycke had given the order.Opdycke seeing his men charging rallied the rest of the troops to follow.Hand to hand combat now began with the men using anything from their guns to sticks and axes and anything else they could find.Opdycke charged forward on his horse and quickly dismounted firing his revolver into the charging Confederates.With his revolver empty he used it as a club.The fight lasted for several minutes but was some of fiercest fighting to take place. Opdycke's men retook the lines and closing the gap. They recaptured the guns and turned them back onto the Confederates.