Audio
Auto Tour Stop 6 - Audio
Transcript
As dawn broke on January 2nd, 1863, Confederate General Bragg woke to discover that Union forces had entrenched themselves on a key hill of the east side of the Stones River. If the Federals placed cannons on that hill, they could threaten Confederate positions along the Nashville Pike.
Bragg ordered General John C. Breckinridge to use his 4,400 man division to reclaim the hill. Breckinridge protested, having seen dozens of Union cannons massing on the west bank of the river that could cut his men to pieces, but Bragg’s decision was final. Breckinridge relayed the order to his subordinates. Soon they were restraining General Roger Hanson, commander of the Orphan Brigade, who vowed to kill Bragg for issuing such a murderous command.
Breckinridge ordered his men to load one round and fix bayonets. At 4 o’clock in the afternoon they moved forward hoping the failing light would interfere with the Union cannoneers’ aim. As they get closer, their pace quickened and the “Rebel Yell” echoed over the field.
The initial charge appeared successful. Breckinridge’s men pushed the Federals off the hill and pursued them towards McFadden’s Ford. Then the ground shook as fifty-seven Union cannon fired their deadly missiles into the mass of Confederates. The cannon fire was non-stop for 25 minutes. In that short time, more than 1,800 Confederates were wounded or killed. Breckinridge’s men retreated as fresh Union troops surged across the river to retake the high ground.
This proved to be final action of the battle. Bragg ordered a withdrawal, and the Union gained a hard-earned victory that shaped the political and military course of the war.
Description
This file describes the climactic fighting on January 2, 1863.
Copyright and Usage Info