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U. S. CIVIL WAR
PHOTOGRAPHS
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MURFREESBORO
(STONES RIVER)
PAGE 6 OF 6 PAGES
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JANUARY 2, 1863
January 2, 1863
On January 2, 1863, Bragg was surprised that the Federals had not left the field
but were occupying a hill on the east side of Stones River which threatened his
right flank . Bragg told
Breckinridge to seize the high ground and drive the enemy back across the river.
While the Southerners were forming for their attack, Union General Crittenden
ordered his chief of artillery, Capt. John E. Mendenhall, to provide support for
the Union troops across the river. Within half an hour, Mendenhall assembled
58 guns and had them trained on the ground over which the Confederates would
have to travel.
Battle of Stone River, Near Murfreesborough, Tenn.
Dec. 31, 62. Jan. 2-3, 1863
Union (Gen. Rosecrans), Confederate (Gen. Bragg).
When the Confederates attacked, they overwhelmed the outnumbered Union soldiers
on the hill, who fled in headlong retreat down the back slope to a shallow river
crossing known as McFadden's Ford. As the Confederate soldiers came into range,
the Federal gunners opened fire. In minutes, 1,800 Confederates were killed or
wounded. The rest withdrew.
Artillery Monument (B)
THE PLAQUE ON THE MONUMENT READS:
ON JANUARY 2ND, 1863, AT 3:00 P.M.,
THERE WERE STATIONED ON THIS HILL,
FIFTY-EIGHT CANNON, COMMANDING THE FIELD
ACROSS THE RIVER, AND AS THE CONFEDERATES
ADVANCED OVER THIS FIELD, THE SHOT AND SHELL
FROM THESE GUNS, RESULTED IN A LOSS OF
EIGHTEEN-HUNDRED, KILLED AND WOUNDED,
IN LESS THAN AN HOUR.
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AFTERMATH
Bragg left the field on January 4-5, retreating to Shelbyville and Tullahoma,
Tennessee. Rosecrans did not pursue, but as the Confederates retired, he claimed
the victory. Stones River boosted Union morale. The Confederates had been thrown
back in the east, west, and in the Trans-Mississippi.
(Text Source, among others: U.S. Gov't, National Park Service)
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NATIONAL CEMETERY
(K)
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IN MEMORY
THE OFFICERS and ENLISTED MEN
15th, 16th, 18th, & 19th U.S. INFANTRY AND
BATTERY H, 5th U.S. ARTILLERY, WHO
WERE KILLED or DIED of WOUNDS
RECEIVED AT
THE BATTLE of STONE RIVER
TENNESSEE
DECEMBER 31st 1862 TO JANUARY 3rd 1863
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