Cozzens, pp. Rosecrans ordered his men to be ready to attack after breakfast, but Bragg ordered an attack at dawn. Street, p. 159; Esposito, text for map 83; Welcher, p. 818; Connelly, p. 67. Created / Published c1900. The left wing of 14,500 men under Maj. Gen. Thomas L. Crittenden (divisions of Brig. Bragg attempted to continue the assault with the division of Maj. Gen. John C. Breckinridge, but the troops were slow in arriving and their multiple piecemeal attacks failed. [21], By 11 a.m., Sheridan's ammunition ran low, and his division pulled back, which opened a gap that Hardee exploited. The Battle ofStones River (Murfreesboro) December 31 - January 2, 1863. The Stones River National Battlefield is a national park which memorializes the Battle of Stones River, which took place during the American Civil War during December 31, 1862, to January 3, 1863. Jefferson C. Davis, Richard W. Johnson, and Philip H. Sheridan) marched south along the Nolensville Turnpike to Nolensville, south to Triune, and then eastward to Murfreesboro. Like a snowball, the Union would pick up strength from the debris of battle if they retreated in good order. Breckinridge, on the east side of the river, did not realize that Crittenden's early morning attack had been withdrawn. For the dates of the battle, see, for instance, the. 118–20; Welcher, p. 813. [34] Four brigadier generals were killed or mortally wounded: Confederate James E. Rains and Roger W. Hanson; Union Edward N. Kirk and Joshua W. Murfreesboro, TN 305–307; Cozzens, p. A72-73; Lamers, pp. Since both plans were the same, the victory would probably go to the side that was able to attack first. Then Cheatham, with his reserve division, hit Sheridan's front as Cleburne struck his flank. Near Murfreesborough, Tenn." Seems to have been partially hand colored. Fought from December 31, 1862 to January 2, 1863, Union General William S. Rosecrans' Army of the Cumberland forced Confederate General Braxton Bragg's to Army of Tennessee to withdraw to Tullahoma, Tennessee, 26 … Cozzens, pp. Westholme Publishing, 2011. 45–46, 219–26. The Battle of Stones River was fought December 31, 1862, to January 2, 1863, during the American Civil War (1861-1865). As 1862 drew to a close, President Abraham Lincoln was desperate for a military victory. McDonough, pp. The separation of the wings was designed to conduct a turning movement against Hardee at Triune, but when the U.S. march began, Bragg moved Hardee back to Murfreesboro to avoid a confrontation. [31] Rosecrans was quoted after the battle as saying, "Bragg's a good dog, but Hold Fast's a better."[32]. Cozzens, pp. All through the war it was a center for strong Confederate sentiment, and Bragg and his men were warmly welcomed and entertained during the month of December. The Union line was stabilized by the strong leadership of Rosecrans and by the rallying of the divisions under Johnson and Davis. The bands anecdote is not mentioned by Cozzens's battle history. His principal subordinates advised him to retreat. Gens. [13], On December 30, the Union force moved into line two miles (three km) northwest of Murfreesboro. Gen. John A. Wharton deep into the Union rear. 199–207; McWhiney, pp. 41,400 Union according to Eicher, p. 428. His armies were stalled, and the terrible defeat at Fredericksburg spread a pall of defeat across the nation. Polk launched two probes of the Union line, one against Thomas, the other against Sheridan, to little effect. The Confederate army began digging in, facing the Union line. General Braxton Bragg chose this area in order to position himself to stop any Union advances towards Chattanooga and to protect the rich farms of Middle Tennessee that were feeding his men. They captured four wagon trains and 1,000 Union prisoners. The Union troops were pushed back across McFadden Ford, but the Confederate charge ran into heavy fire from massed Union artillery across the river, commanded by Crittenden's artillery chief, Capt. Esposito, text for map 83; McDonough, p. 308; Daniel, p. 219. and the others on both sides joined in. He did not begin his march in pursuit of Bragg until December 26. Stones River, he warned, could be easily forded by an enemy flanking party, and the rugged ground west of the river was decidedly unsuitable for maneuvering large bodies of infantry. 172–76; Eicher, p. 427; McDonough, p. 307; Street, p. 133; Foote, pp. The nation needed a victory to bolster morale and support the proclamation when it went into effect on January 1, 1863. Sill. Cheatham's assault was sluggish and piecemeal; observers claimed he had been drinking heavily and was unable to command his units effectively. The game uses a fairly standard system reminiscent of SPI (Simulations Publications, Inc.) quads of the period. 2004 Stones River National Battlefield, Historic Resource Study. Cozzens, pp. 114–17; McDonough, pp. Wood, John M. Palmer, and Horatio P. Van Cleve) took a route that was parallel to the Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad, passing through La Vergne and south of Smyrna. 320–21; Cozzens, pp. It was located in a rich agricultural region from which Bragg planned to provision his army and a position that he intended to use to block a potential U.S. advance on Chattanooga. 422–23; Foote, p. 88. McCook, anticipating the next day would begin with a major attack by Crittenden, planted numerous campfires in his area, hoping to deceive the Confederates as to his strength on that flank, and to disguise the fact that his flank was not anchored on an obstacle (the nearby Overall Creek). Gen. Braxton Bragg's Army of Tennessee fielded approximately 35,000 men and included two infantry army corps: The First Corps, under LTG Leonidas Polk, consisted of the divisions: The Second Corps, under LTG William J. Hardee, consisted of the divisions: The Cavalry Corps, (BG Joseph Wheeler), consisted of brigades under Wheeler, BG Abraham Buford, BG John Pegram and BG John A. Wharton. The Battle of Stones River (also known as the Second Battle of Murfreesboro) was a battle fought from December 31, 1862, to January 2, 1863, in Middle Tennessee, as the culmination of the Stones River Campaign in the Western Theater of the American Civil War. The Confederate order of battle is listed separately. Full title is: "Battle of Stone River. Thousands of Northern and Southern soldiers sang the sentimental song together across the lines. Until January 5, Carter's men destroyed railroad bridges and fought a few skirmishes, including a serious one on December 28 at Perkins's Mill (also known as Elk Fort). The Battle of Stones River began on the last day of 1862 and was one of the bloodiest conflicts of the Civil War. [11], Murfreesboro was a small town in the Stones River Valley, a former state capital named for a colonel in the American Revolutionary War, Hardy Murfree. 159–61; Cozzens, pp. The massive earthenworks "Fort Rosecrans" was built there and served as a supply depot for the remainder of the war. Cozzens, pp. By 4 p.m., Breckinridge's first two brigades assaulted Hazen in piecemeal attacks and suffered heavy repulses. Union cavalry under Brig. This page was last edited on 21 March 2021, at 20:07. Bragg's biographer, Grady McWhiney, observed: Unless the Union army collapsed at the first onslaught, it would be pushed back into a tighter and stronger defensive position as the battle continued, while the Confederate forces would gradually lose momentum, become disorganized, and grow weaker. [39] The Civil War Trust (a division of the American Battlefield Trust) and its partners have acquired and preserved 26 acres (0.11 km2) of the battlefield, all of which has been sold to the National Park Service and incorporated into the national battlefield. Davis refused to relieve either Bragg or the rebellious generals. On December 26, the day Rosecrans marched from Nashville, a small force under Brig. Lebanon, TN Oct 2021 [20], Two Confederate blunders aided Rosecrans. The following Confederate States Army units and commanders fought in the Battle of Stones River of the American Civil War.The Union order of battle is listed separately. "Dead of Winter: The Battle of Stones River" is a very detailed tactical wargame simulation of the Battle of Stones River, December 31, 1862--January 2, 1863. There was also the Emancipation Proclamation to consider. Jones M. Withers and Benjamin F. Cheatham. Thomas J. "Battle of Stones River." 197–203. Northern musicians played "Yankee Doodle" and "Hail, Columbia" and were answered by "Dixie" and "The Bonnie Blue Flag." Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the U.S. Confederate States presidential election of 1861, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Battle_of_Stones_River&oldid=1013471468, Battles of the American Civil War in Tennessee, Battles of the Western Theater of the American Civil War, Union victories of the American Civil War, Articles with dead external links from October 2016, Articles with permanently dead external links, Articles with dead external links from July 2017, Pages using Sister project links with hidden wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, Crittenden, Thomas L. "The Union Left at Stone's River." After Gen. Braxton Bragg's defeat at Perryville, Kentucky,October 8, 1862, he and his Confederate Army of the Mississippi retreated, reorganized,and were redesignated as the Army of Tennessee. Battle of Stones River | | Published by Kurz & Allison at 76 & 78 Wabash Avenue in Chicago. (Part of Rosecrans's reluctance to move from Nashville was the inexperience of his cavalry forces in comparison to their Confederate counterparts.) 63 talking about this. What saved the Union from total destruction that morning was the foresight of Brig. Cozzens, pp. Street, pp. Although he had suffered 9,000 casualties, he was convinced that the large number of captured Union soldiers meant that Rosecrans had lost considerably more. 235–37; Foote, p. 194. Union General-In-Chief Henry Halleck telegraphed Rosecrans telling him that, “… the Government demands action, and if you cannot respond to that demand some one else will be tried.”. Rosecrans occupied Murfreesboro on January 5, but made no attempt to pursue Bragg. The only troops available for such an assault were Breckinridge's, and Bragg ordered him to cross the river, but Breckinridge moved slowly. At dawn on December 31, about 6 a.m., Confederate William J. Hardee struck first, attacking the Union's right flank with the division of Maj. Gen. John P. McCown, before many in Union Brig. Hardee noted afterward that "The field of battle offered no particular advantages for defense." The Union also engaged in a strategic cavalry raid. Title: The Battle of Stones River. [9], While Rosecrans was preparing in Nashville, Bragg ordered Col. John Hunt Morgan to move north with his cavalry and operate along Rosecrans's lines of communications, to prevent him from foraging for supplies north of Nashville. Johnson's division, on the right, suffered over 50% casualties. Duffield surrendered to CSA’s Nathan Bedford Forrest after Duffield’s 9th Michigan Infantry was hit by a surprise attack. This left Breckinridge's division in reserve on the east side of the river on the high ground. For the earlier conflict, see, Articles relating to the Battle of Stones River. Why Stones River? 417–19. Gen. Horatio P. Van Cleve's division crossing the river at 7 a.m., and instead rushed reinforcements to his own right flank. "[29], On the morning of January 3, a large supply train and reinforced infantry brigade led by Brig. The next major operation, the Tullahoma Campaign, did not come until June, when Rosecrans finally moved his army against Bragg. 93–94. 215–16; McDonough, pp. The battle was very important to Union morale, as evidenced by Abraham Lincoln's letter to General Rosecrans: "You gave us a hard-earned victory, which had there been a defeat instead, the nation could scarcely have lived over." The First Battle of Murfreesboro was on July 13, 1862. 145–55; Cozzens, pp. After the Battle of Perryville, Kentucky in October 1862, Confederate General Braxton Bragg retreated with his Confederate soldiers back into Tennessee, eventually making his headquarters at the town of Murfreesboro, south of Nashville. The Union was able to hold off a Confederate assault, although both sides saw very high percentages of casualties. McDonough, pp. Street, pp. Buoyed by his sense that he had won the battle, Bragg was content to wait for Rosecrans to retreat. As he rode among the survivors, he cried out repeatedly, "My poor Orphans! The Battle of Hartsville, at a crossing point on the Cumberland River about 40 miles (64 km) upstream from Nashville (north of Murfreesboro) was an incident in Morgan's raid to the north, before Rosecrans had the bulk of his infantry forces on the move. Breckinridge initially protested that the assault would be suicidal but eventually agreed and attacked with determination. 29–30; Eicher, p. 371; Connelly, pp. [27], In the rear, Wheeler's cavalry continued to harass the Union line of communication on the turnpike back to Nashville. Union Maj. Gen. William S. Rosecrans's Army of the Cumberland marched from Nashville, Tennessee, on December 26, 1862, to challenge General Braxton Bragg's Army of Tennessee at Murfreesboro. This was the beginning of the Stones River Campaign. He had, of course, sound reasons for withdrawing from Murfreesboro. Gen. Philip Sheridan in the right center of the line prevented a total collapse, and the Union assumed a tight defensive position backing up to the Nashville Turnpike. The Battle of Stones River was the Second Battle of Murfreesboro. Hazen's brigade was the only part of the original Union line to hold. But the Confederates would inevitably unwind like a ball of string as they advanced. In. McDonough, pp. But none of the cavalry raids, Confederate or Union, had any significant effect on the Stones River Campaign. A grand battle game and several smaller scenarios are provided. The Battle of Stones River or Second Battle of Murfreesboro (in the South, simply the Battle of Murfreesboro), was fought from December 31, 1862, to January 2, 1863, in Middle Tennessee, as the culmination of the Stones River Campaign in the Western Theater of the American Civil War. Thomas, in the center, was ordered to make a limited attack and act as the pivot for Crittenden's wheel. 177–98. He declared that it had to be held, "even if it cost the last man we had." During the First Battle, Union Col. Wm. 191–92; Street, pp. But his decision to retreat allowed his enemies to charge that once again Bragg had lost his nerve. Despite this, Bragg was reluctant to move farther south, say to the arguably more defensible Duck River Valley, or farther north, to Stewart's Creek, where Rosecrans thought Bragg would defend. His armies were stalled, and the terrible defeat at Fredericksburg spread a pall of defeat across the nation. Battle of Stones River Reenactment Lebanon, TN Oct 2021 ATLANTA CAMPAIGN, INC Of the major battles of the war, Stones River had the highest percentage of casualties on both sides. 159–61; Street, p. 123; McDoinough, pp. Gens. However, Crittenden—facing Breckinridge on the Union left—failed to notify McCook (on the Union right) of these troop movements. 295–96; Cozzens, pp. The attack failed a second time. Connelly, pp. 96–97; Hess, p. 198. They had captured 28 guns and over 3,000 Union soldiers. The battle was tactically inconclusive. Western Theater of the American Civil War, Official Records, Series I, Volume XX, Part 1, Troop engagements of the American Civil War, 1862, List of costliest American Civil War land battles, List of American Civil War battles#Major land battles, "Chapter 4: Trying His Hand in a Fight: Murfreesboro", Troop Movement Maps (Stones River National Battlefield), Maps of the Union approach to Murfreesboro (Stones River National Battlefield), Official Records: The Battle of Stones River (Murfreesboro) December 31 – January 2, 1863 (Civilwarhome website), Animated history of the Perryville and Stones River Campaigns, The Battle of Murfreesboro – General G.H. Gen. Samuel P. Carter raided the upper Tennessee Valley from Manchester, Kentucky. [19], The second Confederate wave was by Polk's corps, consisting of the divisions of Maj. Gens. The two armies were in parallel lines, about four miles (six km) long, oriented from southwest to northeast. Livermore, p. 97, lists present for duty 44,800 Union, 37,712 Confederate, and estimates effectives as 41,400 Union, 34,732 Confederate. The Battle of Stones River (also known as the Second Battle of Murfreesboro) was a battle fought from December 31, 1862, to January 2, 1863, in Middle Tennessee, as the culmination of the Stones River Campaign in the Western Theater of the American Civil War.Of the major battles of the war, Stones River had the highest percentage of casualties on both sides. None of the troops were ordered to construct field fortifications. The Battle of Stones River (also known as the Second Battle of Murfreesboro) was a battle fought from December 31, 1862, to January 2, 1863, in Middle Tennessee, as the culmination of the Stones River Campaign in the Western Theater of the American Civil War. [28], At 4 p.m. on January 2, Bragg directed Breckinridge's troops to attack Beatty's division, which was occupying the hill on the east side of the river. While Sheridan's men slowed the enemy advance, they did it at heavy cost to themselves; all three of Sheridan's brigade commanders were killed that day, and more than one third of his men were casualties in four hours of fighting in a cedar forest surrounded on three sides that became known as "The Slaughter Pen." The Battle of Stones River (Confederate: Battle of Murfreesboro or 2nd Murfreesboro) was fought during the American Civil War between December 31, 1862 and January 3, 1863 in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.The battle pitted the Army of the Cumberland under Major General William S. Rosecrans against the Confederate Army of Tennessee under Lieutenant General Braxton Bragg. Battle of Stones River, also called Battle of Murfreesboro, (December 31, 1862–January 2, 1863), bloody but indecisive American Civil War clash in Tennessee that was a psychological victory for Union forces. Convoys of wounded had to travel under heavy escort to be protected from the cavalry, and Wheeler interpreted these movements as preparations for a retreat, and he reported such to Bragg. Falsely believing that Rosecrans was receiving reinforcements, Bragg chose to withdraw his army on January 3 to Tullahoma, Tennessee. The Confederate retreat left the Union forces in possession of the battlefield, and General Rosecrans claimed Stones River as a Federal triumph, a claim quickly accepted in Washington, D.C. 30–33; McDonough, p. 288. Bragg's left flank was weak at the start, and Rosecrans could have attacked there when he arrived and wheeled left, around the flank and directly into the town of Murfreesboro, but he did not know the full disposition of Bragg's forces because of the skillful screening of the Confederate cavalry during the Union march. Cozzens, pp. Rosecrans canceled Crittenden's attack on the Confederate right, which had begun with Brig. 303–304. 171–72; Street, pp. On December 26, 1862, the Union Army of the Cumberland left Nashville to meet the Confederates. Order of battle compiled from the army organization during the campaign, the casualty returns and the reports. Thomas responded with a limited counterattack that cleared his front. John Mendenhall. 143–44. On the Union side, Major General William S. Rosecrans led 43,400 men while Confederate General Braxton Bragg led 37,712 men. [15], Rosecrans intended to have Crittenden cross the river and attack the heights east of the river, which would be an excellent artillery platform to bombard the entire Confederate lines. See more ideas about american civil war, civil war, confederate. 130–33; McDonough, p. 305; Cozzens, pp. The Right Wing, under Maj. Gen. Alexander McD. Kennedy, p. 154, cites 44,000 Union, 34,000 Confederate. Of the major battles of the war, Stones River had the highest percentage of casualties on both sides. 177–98; Welcher, p. 817. Two more brigades arrived, and they were sent in, reinforced by other elements of Polk's corps. By 4:30 p.m., the battle was finished.[23]. [17], Source: Official Records, Series I, Volume XX, Part 1, pages 174-182, 207-217, 1093-1099. The loss of Stevenson's 7,500 men would be sorely felt in the coming battle. the Third Battle of Murfreesboro was fought on Dec. 5-7, 1864. Wheeler's cavalry attempted to capture the ammunition train that followed it but was repulsed. Gen. Richard W. Johnson's division had finished their breakfast. We occupy [the] whole field and shall follow him. 205–207; Cozzens, pp. The battle of Stone River or Murfreesboro' Summary Print showing Union artillery behind infantry lines firing at Confederate troops on the far right during the battle at Stones River, Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Thomas immovable in the center, List of Union Civil War monuments and memorials, List of memorials to the Grand Army of the Republic, Confederate artworks in the United States Capitol, List of Confederate monuments and memorials, Removal of Confederate monuments and memorials. [5], Frustrated with his prospects in Kentucky and low on supplies, Bragg withdrew fully from Kentucky through the Cumberland Gap, passed through Knoxville and Chattanooga, turned northwest, and eventually stopped in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Read More. 422, 424; Street, pp. In a manner similar to the previous year's First Battle of Bull Run, both commanders devised similar plans for the following day: envelop the enemy's right, get into his rear, and cut him off from his base. Gen. James G. Spears reached Rosecrans. ... God has granted us a happy New Year. 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