Hitner, Charles

Charles Hitner

NPS Photo

Quick Facts

Significance:

Company K, 6th Kentucky Infantry

Date of Birth:

1843

Place of Death:

Murfreesboro, TN

Date of Death:

December 31st, 1862

Place of Burial:

Murfreesboro, TN

Cemetery Name:

Stones River National Cemetery

Charles Hitner was born in 1843 to Sophia and Albert Hitner. He enlisted to serve in the Union Army on October 24, 1861, at Camp Sigel, Kentucky. He was 18 years old at the time of his enlistment. On December 24, 1861, he mustered into service as a private in Company K of the 6th Kentucky Infantry Regiment.

Following its organization, the 6th Kentucky served in Kentucky and Tennessee before fighting at the Battle of Shiloh. The regiment then participated in the Siege of Corinth and remained there until June 1862. They were later attached to Buell’s campaigns in northern Alabama and Middle Tennessee and went on to fight at the Battle of Perryville in Kentucky. In October 1862, they were assigned to duty in Nashville, Tennessee, where they remained until December. On December 26, they were ordered to march south toward Murfreesboro in pursuit of General Braxton Bragg.

The regiment arrived near Murfreesboro on December 30 and prepared for battle. At the Battle of Stones River, the 6th Kentucky served in Hazen’s brigade. On December 30, they were positioned in reserve just west of Van Cleve Lane. Early on December 31, Hazen’s brigade was repositioned near the intersection of Van Cleve Lane and the Nashville Pike, with the 6th Kentucky in the front line. They endured artillery fire from Confederate forces but held their ground. By 10 a.m., they shifted slightly east to occupy a new position along the Nashville Pike in the Round Forest. Around noon, Confederate forces launched repeated assaults on the position. Four consecutive attacks were repelled, as Hazen’s brigade held firm. The steadfast defense of the Round Forest helped secure the Union left flank and proved critical to the Union’s eventual success in the battle.

During the intense Confederate volleys, Private Hitner was killed. He lost his life defending the Round Forest on December 31, 1862.

Charles Hitner is laid to rest in Hazen Cemetery, in Plot HAZ-02.