Murfreesboro in Rutherford County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
Their Longest, Coldest New Year’s Eve
Photographed By Shane Oliver, January 16, 2021
1. Their Longest, Coldest New Year’s Eve Marker
There was some talk [at Rosecrans’ headquarters] of falling back, I do not remember who started the subject, but…I said …my men would be very much discouraged to have to abandon the field after their good fight of the day… Rosecrans, receiving men moving up and down with torches said…’They have got entirely in our rear and are forming a line of battle by torchlight!’…[he] told us to go to our commands and prepare to fight or die.
Thomas Crittenden, major general, commanding the Left Wing
Soon after dark a small fire was built, and several of [our] men…had gathered to it… General Rosecrans came up and said ‘You are my men and I don’t like to have any of you hurt. Where the enemy see a fire like this, they know 25-30 men are gathered… and are sure to shoot at it. I advise you to put it out.’ Scarcely was he done speaking, when… shot came just high enough to miss the heads of the party, and a shell exploded just beyond.
Silas Canfield, captain, 21st Ohio Infantry Regiment
The groans of the poor wounded was heart-rending. I could not repress a few falling tears. I got off my horseand built fires for several-foe and friend. Many, many… that chilled to death… that night might have been saved could they but have had attendance.
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John Magee, corporal, Stanford’s Mississippi Light Artillery
Nearly 30,000 Union soldiers spent New Year's Eve 1862 concentrated along Nashville Pike, the same highway you see just ahead.
Erected by Stones River National Battlefield, National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is December 31, 1862.
Location. 35° 52.835′ N, 86° 26.07′ W. Marker is in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, in Rutherford County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Park Road and Old Nashville Highway, on the left when traveling west. Located at the along the sidewalk behind the Visitor Center of Stones River National Battlefield. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3501 Old Nashville Highway, Murfreesboro TN 37129, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Charge Kept Coming, Coming Like the Sea (here, next to this marker); Passing Through Murfreesboro (here, next to this marker); God has granted us a Happy New Year! (a few steps from this marker); Why Fight Here? (within shouting distance
Photographed By Darren Jefferson Clay, September 7, 2021
2. Their Longest, Coldest New Year’s Eve Marker
Also see . . . Stones River National Battlefield. National Park Service (Submitted on November 18, 2015.)
Photographed By Sandra Hughes, August 25, 2015
3. Their Longest, Coldest New Year’s Eve writing home
Photographed By Sandra Hughes, August 25, 2015
4. Their Longest, Coldest New Year’s Eve
Credits. This page was last revised on September 8, 2021. It was originally submitted on November 17, 2015, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. This page has been viewed 447 times since then and 35 times this year. Last updated on April 10, 2019, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. Photos: 1. submitted on March 13, 2021, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia. 2. submitted on September 8, 2021, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. 3, 4. submitted on November 17, 2015, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
