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Adapted from Battle of Stones River, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for audio. This HearLore entry is also licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

— Ch. 1 · Strategic Prelude And Movements —

Battle of Stones River.

~5 min read · Ch. 1 of 6
On the 26th of December 1862, Union Maj. Gen. William S. Rosecrans marched his Army of the Cumberland from Nashville toward Murfreesboro to challenge Confederate forces. The campaign began after Confederate Gen. Braxton Bragg withdrew his Army of Tennessee from Kentucky following the Battle of Perryville on the 8th of October 1862. Bragg's army had joined with Maj. Gen. Edmund Kirby Smith's force in Harrodsburg before moving through Knoxville and Chattanooga to reach Middle Tennessee. By November 20, the combined Confederate units were renamed the Army of Tennessee. During a visit by Confederate president Jefferson Davis on December 16, Bragg was ordered to send Maj. Gen. Carter L. Stevenson's infantry division to Mississippi, losing 7,500 men before the battle even started. Rosecrans took time to reorganize his troops and resupply his army before beginning his pursuit on December 26. His force numbered about 43,000 men when it arrived near Murfreesboro on the evening of December 29, while Bragg commanded approximately 35,000 soldiers. Both armies bivouacked only two miles apart, creating an unusual proximity for opposing forces.

The Bloody First Day Assaults

At dawn on the 31st of December 1862, around 6:00 a.m., Confederate William J. Hardee struck first, attacking the Union right flank with Maj. Gen. John P. McCown's division before many Union soldiers had finished breakfast. The 10,000 Confederates who massed on their left attacked in one massive wave, sweeping aside resistance and capturing several artillery batteries without firing a shot. By 10:00 a.m., Hardee had driven Union troops back three miles to the railroad and Nashville Pike. The second Confederate wave came from Polk's corps, consisting of divisions led by Maj. Gens. Jones M. Withers and Benjamin F. Cheatham. What saved the Union from total destruction was Brig. Gen. Philip Sheridan, whose division was ready by 4:00 a.m. Withers hit Sheridan's right flank first but was repulsed in three separate charges. Then Cheatham, with his reserve division, hit Sheridan's front as Cleburne struck his flank. All three of Sheridan's brigade commanders were killed that day, and more than one third of his men became casualties in four hours of fighting within a cedar forest surrounded on three sides known as "The Slaughter Pen." By 11:00 a.m., Sheridan's ammunition ran low, opening a gap that Hardee exploited. Repeated attacks on the left flank of the Union line were repulsed by Col. William B. Hazen's brigade in a rocky, wooded area called "Hell's Half-Acre." Hazen declared it must be held even if it cost the last man they had.

Tactical Traps And Counterattacks

At 4:00 p.m. on the 2nd of January 1863, Bragg directed Breckinridge's troops to attack Beatty's division occupying the hill on the east side of the river. The Confederate charge initially pushed Union troops back across McFadden Ford before running into heavy fire from massed Union artillery commanded by Capt. John Mendenhall. Mendenhall deployed his guns perfectly with 45 arrayed hub-to-hub on the ridge overlooking McFadden's Ford and 12 more guns about a mile southwest providing enfilading fire. The Confederate attack stalled after suffering over 1,800 casualties in less than an hour. A Union division under James S. Negley led a counterattack at 4:45 p.m., forcing Confederate troops to retreat. Breckinridge lost nearly one third of his Kentucky troops, including Hanson's Brigade known as the Orphan Brigade because it could not return to Union-occupied Kentucky. As he rode among survivors, he cried out repeatedly, "My poor Orphans! My poor Orphans." Earlier that day, false information planted by McCook and campfires where no troops were posted had fooled Bragg into believing Rosecrans was receiving reinforcements. This deception contributed to Bragg's decision to withdraw his army on January 3.

Confederate Withdrawal And Aftermath

On the morning of January 3, a large supply train and reinforced infantry brigade led by Brig. Gen. James G. Spears reached Rosecrans. Wheeler's cavalry attempted to capture the ammunition train but was repulsed. Late that evening, Thomas attacked the center of the Confederate line with two regiments, driving Confederates from their entrenchments and taking about 30 prisoners. Despite this action, the main battle ended on January 2. By 10:00 p.m. on January 3, Bragg withdrew through Murfreesboro and began retreating to Tullahoma, Tennessee, 36 miles south. Rosecrans occupied Murfreesboro on January 5 but made no attempt to pursue Bragg. Rosecrans later said, "Bragg's a good dog, but Hold Fast's a better," modifying an expression from Charles Dickens's 1861 novel Great Expectations. The Confederate army lost confidence in Braxton Bragg after the battle, though President Jefferson Davis refused to relieve him despite petitions from senior generals. Bragg received almost universal scorn from his Confederate military colleagues, saved only by Joseph E. Johnston's support and Davis's inability to find a suitable replacement.

Unprecedented Casualty Statistics

Total casualties in the Battle of Stones River numbered 25,645, with 13,906 on the Union side and 11,739 for the Confederates. This represented 32.7% of all troops engaged, making it the highest percentage of casualties of any major Civil War battle. Of those engaged, about 78,400 men fought, resulting in 3.8% killed, 19.8% wounded, and 7.9% missing or captured. These absolute numbers exceeded any earlier battle in U.S. history, including Shiloh and Antietam earlier that year. Four brigadier generals were killed or mortally wounded: Confederate James E. Rains and Roger W. Hanson; Union Edward N. Kirk and Joshua W. Sill. Frances Elizabeth Quinn was among the Union wounded, one of many female American Civil War soldiers who served disguised as men. The battle's casualty rate remained unmatched throughout the war despite other famous engagements occurring later.

Morale Boost And Political Impact

Abraham Lincoln wrote to General Rosecrans after the battle stating, "You gave us a hard-earned victory, which had there been a defeat instead, the nation could scarcely have lived over." The Confederate threat to Kentucky and Middle Tennessee had been nullified, securing Nashville as a major Union supply base for the rest of the war. Rosecrans spent five and a half months reinforcing Murfreesboro, building massive earthenworks called Fort Rosecrans that served as a supply depot until the end of the conflict. The next major operation, the Tullahoma Campaign, did not begin until June when Rosecrans finally moved his army against Bragg. The battle provided crucial morale support after the Union's recent defeat at Fredericksburg and reinforced President Abraham Lincoln's foundation for issuing the Emancipation Proclamation. This political development ultimately discouraged European powers from intervening on the Confederacy's behalf during the remaining years of the war.

Up Next

Confederate Heartland OffensiveChattanooga campaignBattle of PerryvilleBattle of ChickamaugaBattle of Nashville

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Union victories of the American Civil WarBattles of the western theater of the American Civil War1862 in the American Civil War1862 in Tennessee1863 in TennesseeBattles of the American Civil War in Tennessee1863 in the American Civil WarDecember 1862January 1863Rutherford County, TennesseeStones River Campaign

Common questions

When did the Battle of Stones River take place?

The Battle of Stones River took place from the 31st of December 1862 to the 2nd of January 1863. The main fighting occurred on the first two days with a final Confederate withdrawal occurring on the evening of January 3.

Who commanded Union forces at the Battle of Stones River?

Union Maj. Gen. William S. Rosecrans commanded the Army of the Cumberland during the battle. His force numbered about 43,000 men when it arrived near Murfreesboro on the evening of December 29.

What were the total casualties for the Battle of Stones River?

Total casualties in the Battle of Stones River numbered 25,645 with 13,906 on the Union side and 11,739 for the Confederates. This represented 32.7% of all troops engaged making it the highest percentage of casualties of any major Civil War battle.

Where was the Battle of Stones River fought?

The battle was fought near Murfreesboro Tennessee where opposing armies bivouacked only two miles apart. Confederate forces withdrew through Murfreesboro on the evening of January 3 retreating to Tullahoma which is 36 miles south.

Why did Bragg withdraw his army after the Battle of Stones River?

Bragg decided to withdraw his army on January 3 because false information planted by McCook made him believe Rosecrans was receiving reinforcements. The deception combined with heavy losses from attacks like the one at McFadden Ford led to the decision to retreat to Tullahoma.

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