Murfreesboro in Rutherford County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
Battle at Stones River
December 31, 1862 - January 2, 1863
— Stones River National Battlefield —
Stones River National Battlefield preserves some key portions of the ground where two great armies of Americans—some 81,000 men—clashed with each other. Their bitter, three-day struggle erupted on New Year's Eve 1862.
To explore their stories, start at the Visitor Center. Maps are available there to help you find battlefield points of interest.
You are here at the Headquarters of General Rosecrans
West Point graduate William S. Rosecrans was 43 years old when he received command of the Army of the Cumberland in October 1862. In late December he ordered his 43,000 men to march southeast from Nashville, following the railroad tracks toward Murfreesboro enroute to the key rail hub at Chattanooga. General Rosecrans set up his headquarters here with troops on both sides of the Nashville Pike. Much of the early planning for the battle took place here.
Erected by 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. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. 35° 53.375′ N, 86° 26.601′ W. Marker is in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, in Rutherford County. Marker is on Old Nashville Highway, 0.4 miles south of Thurston Drive, on the right when traveling south. Located at the Rosecrans Headquarters site within the Stones River Battlefield Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4157 Old Nashville Hwy, Murfreesboro TN 37129, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. A different marker also named Battle at Stones River (here, next to this marker); Headquarters (a few steps from this marker); Digging In! (approx. 0.7 miles away); A Patriotic Pulpit (approx. ¾ mile away); a different marker also named Battle at Stones River (approx. ¾ mile away); Why Fight Here? (approx. ¾ mile away); Stand Fast! (approx. 0.8 miles away); The Charge Kept Coming, Coming Like the Sea (approx. 0.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Murfreesboro.
More about this marker. The basic marker seen here is used for orientation at the battlefield. It is repeated at several locations, with different text in the map call out.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker was replaced by a New Marker At This Location also titled "Battle at Stones River".
Also see . . . Stones River National Battlefield. National Park Service site. (Submitted on November 2, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
Credits. This page was last revised on December 12, 2022. It was originally submitted on November 2, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 913 times since then and 21 times this year. Last updated on September 8, 2021, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 2, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.