Murfreesboro in Rutherford County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

Parson's Battery

4th U.S. Artillery Co. "H" & "M"

Photographed by Craig Swain, August 28, 2010

1. Parson's Battery Marker

Inscription. The most powerful federal battery on this field armed with four 3" Ordnance rifles and four 12 pdr. howitzers. This battery of battle hardened regulars poured charge after charge of canister at less than 600 yards into the oncoming grey ranks - helping stifle attacks on the Round Forest and the Nashville Pike, on the morning and early afternoon of December 31, 1862. At times the Confederate infantry were on three sides of the battery, but Lt. Charles C. Parsons gave no ground. During the entire battle, Parsons fired more than any battery, 2,299 rounds, and suffered very few casualties, due chiefly to the havoc caused by their deadly accurate fire. Parsons was promoted to the rank of captain for his heroic action at Stones River.

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. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 35° 52.564′ N, 86° 25.846′ W. Marker was in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, in Rutherford County. It was on Park Road, on the left when traveling south. Located at stop one, the Eve of the Battle, on the driving tour of Stones River National Battlefield. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Murfreesboro TN 37129, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker was in Middle Tennessee

and in Greater Nashville.

It was also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it was in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it found itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking

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distance of this location: Parsons' Batteries Heavily Engaged (here, next to this marker); Exploring the Promise of Freedom (a few steps from this marker); Waiting Anxiously for Tomorrow's Fate (within shouting distance of this marker); The Federals' Final Rally Turns the Tide (about 700 feet away); Anchoring the Union Line (about 800 feet away); Remembering Sacrifices - in Stone (approx. 0.2 miles away); This Far, But No Farther (approx. 0.2 miles away); Hazen's Brigade Monument (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Murfreesboro.

Other markers no longer nearby. Cotton Field – "No Man's Land" (was about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been permanently removed); Hazen's Artillery (was about 700 feet away but has been permanently removed); Struggle for Round Forest (was about 800 feet away but has been permanently removed); Hazen Brigade Monument (was approx. 0.2 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

More about this marker. This marker was replaced by a new one named Parsons' Batteries Heavily Engaged (see nearby markers).

Also see . . . Stones River National Battlefield. National Park Service website. (Submitted on October 31, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

Photographed by Craig Swain, August 28, 2010

2. Parson's Battery Marker

Parsons' Battery image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, August 28, 2010

3. Parsons' Battery

One 3-inch rifle and two 12-pdr howitzers represent Parsons' Battery. Note in the distance in the right center is Hazen's Brigade Monument, were that unit stood in the Round Forest. McFadden Lane crosses between the battery location and the forest, intersecting with the Old Nashville Pike.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 9, 2021. It was originally submitted on October 31, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,482 times since then and 27 times this year. Last updated on March 13, 2021, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 31, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.