Murfreesboro in Rutherford County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
The Very Forest Seemed to Fall
— Stones River National Battlefield —
Photographed By Shane Oliver, January 30, 2021
1. The Very Forest Seemed to Fall Marker
The sound judgement of Major John Mendenhall, my chief-of-artillery, enabled me to open 58 guns almost simultaneously...turn[ing] a dashing [rebel] charge into a sudden retreat and route, in which the enemy lost...1800 men in a few moments...The very forest seemed to fall...and not a Confederate reached the river.
Thomas Crittenden, major general, commanding the Left Wing
We opened a lively fire and soon stopped the Butternuts who in turn fled...throwing away everything that impeded their flight...The dead rebels lay so thick upon the ground that we could not draw the [cannon] across the field until the bodies had been removed allowing us a path.
John Nourse, private, Chicago Board of Trade Independent Battery
Imagine a line of cannon stretching south from here the length of seven football fields, end to end. Amassing so much artillery firepower in one place was extremely rare in the Civil War. Veterans of the fight for McFadden's Ford never forgot this sight.
Erected by Stones River National Battlefield, National Park Service, US 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 January 2, 1863.
Location. 35° 53.335′ N, 86° 25.566′
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Remembering by Rail (within shouting distance of this marker); Battle at Stones River (within shouting distance of this marker); McFadden Cemetery (within shouting distance of this marker); Stones River Artillery Monument (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); My Poor Orphans! (about 600 feet away); McFadden's Ford (about 700 feet away); Battle of Stones River (approx. ¼ mile away); Battle of Murfreesboro (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Murfreesboro.
Also see . . . Stones River National Battlefield. National Park Service (Submitted on March 15, 2021.)
Additional keywords. The Very Forest Seemed to Fall
Photographed By Shane Oliver, January 30, 2021
2. The Very Forest Seemed to Fall Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on June 3, 2021. It was originally submitted on March 14, 2021, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 193 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 14, 2021, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
