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Stones River National Battlefield
The Battle of Stones River
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Why Stones River?
As 1862 drew to a close, President Abraham Lincoln was desperate for a military victory. His armies were stalled, and the terrible defeat at Fredericksburg spread a pall of defeat across the nation. There was also the Emancipation Proclamation to consider. The nation needed a victory to bolster morale and support the proclamation when it went into effect on January 1, 1863.
The Confederate Army of Tennessee was camped in Murfreesboro, Tennessee only 30 miles away from General William S. Rosecrans’ army in Nashville. 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.
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.”
On December 26, 1862, the Union Army of the Cumberland left Nashville to meet the Confederates. This was the beginning of the Stones River Campaign.
Next Page: The Union Approach
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![Union Approach Map Union Approach Map](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20080925103240im_/http://www.nps.gov/ser/customcf/apps/CMS_HandF/Pictures/STRI_65x65_approachingthunder.gif) The Union Approach On December 26, 1862, the Union army began it's march towards Murfreesboro. more... | | ![Troop Movement Map Troop Movement Map](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20080925103240im_/http://www.nps.gov/ser/customcf/apps/CMS_HandF/Pictures/STRI_troopmove.jpg) Troop Movement Maps Follow this link to a series of eighteen troop movement maps prepared by Ed Bearss. more... | |
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Did You Know?
Nathan Bedford Forrest and his men were defeated by a Union force in a small battle along the Wilkinson Pike. The Battle of the Cedars was fought on December 7, 1864.
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Last Updated: July 22, 2006 at 16:08 EST |