Soldiers in blue uniforms kneel behind rocks and fire muskets.

Living History Event - The Slaughter Pen

Stones River National Battlefield

Special Event
  • Aug 8, 2026 at 10:00 AM
  • Free

The fighting that raged along the Wilkinson Pike on December 31, 1862 was desparate and decisive. The U.S. soldiers of Generals Philip Sheridan's and James Negley's division used the rock strewn woods north of the road to make a stand that stalled nearly half the Confederate army for two hours buying the time the rest of the Army of the Cumberland to set up a new line of defense at the Nashville Pike. The ferocious fighting left thousands of soldiers dead and wounded and earned the place the nickname, the Slaughter Pen.

Join us at Tour Stop 2 where a park ranger will guide you on a walk through Slaughter Pen sharing the stories of the soldiers who struglled for that ground. Living historians will present demonstrations of musket and cannon firing along the way. Programs will take place at 10 AM, 11 AM, 1:30 PM & 2:30 PM.

Fees

This event is free to attend.

Location

Latitude and Longitude 35.869327, -86.430909

Schedule

Date:

Aug 8, 2026

Time:

10:00 AM

Duration:

5 hours

Contact Information

Jim Lewis
615-893-9501
Contact Us

Event Type

  • Living History
Tags: historic weapons demonstrations, civil war living history, living history, american civil war