How many soldiers fought in the Battle of
Stones River?

How many men were killed and wounded during the Battle of Stones River?

23,517 men were killed, wounded, or captured during the battle.

How many soldiers are buried in Stones River National Cemetery?

There are 7,123 headstones in Stones River National Cemetery. More than 6,100 of these are Union soldiers. The remaining burials are soldiers from later wars. Some of the 2,562 unknown graves contain more than one set of remains, and many of the post-Civil War burials include a family member buried with the soldier.

Where are the Confederates buried?

About 2,000 Confederates are buried in the Confederate Circle at Evergreen Cemetery. This plot is their third resting place. They were buried on the battlefield by Union soldiers after the battle, and were moved to their own cemetery later. When the first Confederate cemetery fell into disrepair in 1867, the bodies were moved to Evergreen Cemetery.

How do I find out if my ancestor fought in the Battle of Stones River?

We do not have a list of every soldier who fought in the battle, but we know which units served here, and we have list of the soldiers known to be buried in the Stones River National Cemetery. If you know your ancestor’s unit, we can tell you if they were in the battle. To request the military and pension records for an individual soldier, you must request forms from the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) or the state archives to acquire them. Stones River National Battlefield has handouts containing the contact information for NARA and state archives at the visitor center.

If you don’t know your ancestor’s unit, visit the Civil War Soldiers and Sailors System and run a soldier search.

How big is Stones River National Battlefield?

The Battle of Stones River covered 4,000 acres. Stones River National Battlefield preserves about 600 acres and can still grow to our congressionally authorized boundary is 713 acres.

What are the two graves outside of the Hazen Brigade Cemetery wall?

The two graves located outside of the Hazen Brigade Monument wall are those of William Holland (1834-1909) and William Harlan (1895-1979). They have no connection to Hazen’s Brigade or the monument.

William Holland was a former slave who joined the One Hundred Eleventh United States Colored Infantry, Company I on March 1, 1864. He became one of the cemetery caretakers after his discharge and purchased the small tract of land adjacent to the Hazen Brigade Monument. When he died, Holland’s preference was to be buried on his property. The government honored his wishes and provided a national cemetery headstone in accordance with regulations.

The second grave is William Holland’s descendant, William Harlan. Harlan served as a corporal in the United States Army during World War I.

What does the monument next to the Thompson Lane access ramp commemorate?

The monument is a private grave marker and has no connection to the battlefield.

Where was General Nathan Bedford Forrest during the battle?

Forrest and his cavalry were raiding in West Tennessee to cut General Grant’s lines of supply and communication. He and his men fought the Battle of Parker’s Crossroads on December 31, 1862.

What is the admission charge?

There is no admission charge at Stones River National Battlefield.

What was the population of Murfreesboro at the time of the battle?

These population figures were taken from the 1860 Census.

What activities do you offer for children?

Stones River National Battlefield offers a variety of curriculum based lesson plans and education programs. See our Learning Center for more details. We also have a Junior Ranger program for children ages 6-12 and a variety of activities for scouts.

What are the large open areas in the woods?

These clearings are called cedar glades. Cedar glades are a special habitat found only in Middle Tennessee. The glades are home to a number of rare and unique plant species like the Tennessee Coneflower.

Can we have a picnic at the battlefield?

There is a picnic area near the visitor center. Picnicking and other recreational activities are not permitted on most of the battlefield.

How do I access the Stones River Greenway from the battlefield?

Visitors can access the Stones River Greenway from Fortress Rosecrans, Tour Stop #6, and the connector trail that links the tour road to the greenway at Tour Stop #1.

Where can I walk or hike in the park?

Many visitors enjoy walking alongside the 2.2 mile tour road and stopping to look at the wayside exhibits along the way. There is a trail through the woods that starts near the picnic area and runs to Tour Stop #2. Trail maps are available at the visitor center.