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

Murfreesboro During the Civil War

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, May 31, 2026

1. Murfreesboro During the Civil War Marker

Inscription. During the early months of the Civil War, the citizens of Murfreesboro never imagined that Federal troops would invade their town. Yet on March 10, 1862, local historian John C. Spence wrote, "The ears of the citizens were greeted with the sounds of drum and fife, the rattle of artillery wagons, [and] columns of marching infantry...the army, passing along the pike, was like bedlam loose." After the Union army occupied Murfreesbord, the town's citizens were subjected to periodic house searches, travel restrictions, and confiscation of food and other supplies. But through the duration of the war, Murfreesboro's citizens struggled to maintain a sense of normalcy in their lives.

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On Christmas Eve, 1862, a grand ball was given by the First Louisiana and the Sixth Kentucky regiments in the Murfreesboro courthouse. A large chandelier of bayonets and candles hung from the ceiling. Two letter B's, representing General Braxton Bragg and General John Breckenridge, were displayed intertwined in evergreen along with captured Union flags. Photo courtesy of Library of Congress

On July13, 1862, General Nathan Bedford Forrest made a surprise attack on Union troops camped on the grounds of Dr. Maney's Murfreesboro home (now Oaklands). In one of the mansion's bedchambers Forrest accepted the surrender of the Federal garrison from the severely wounded General Duffield. Sketch courtesy of National Archives

Union University, founded in 1848, was closed soon after the war began. The vacated building served as a military hospital for four years. The women of Murfreesboro organized a "Soldier's Relief" society, sewing linens, bandages, and other supplies for the hospital. Central Middle School now stands on the former site of Union University at East Main Street and University Street. Sketch courtesy of National Archives

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This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is March 10, 1862.

Location. 35° 50.831′ N, 86° 24.068′ W. Marker is in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, in Rutherford County. It is on West Main Street east of Overall Street, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 654 W Main St, Murfreesboro TN 37129, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Middle Tennessee

and in Greater Nashville.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds 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 distance of this marker: The Railroad & Fortress Rosecrans (a few steps from this marker); William Lytle (approx. ¼ mile away); Rutherford County (approx. ¼ mile away); Captain William Lytle (approx. ¼ mile away); Murfreesborough

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, May 31, 2026

2. Murfreesboro During the Civil War Marker

(approx. ¼ mile away); L & N Caboose (approx. 0.3 miles away); Haynes Museum (approx. 0.3 miles away); Williamson Chapel (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Murfreesboro.

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, May 31, 2026

3. Murfreesboro During the Civil War Marker

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, May 31, 2026

4. Murfreesboro During the Civil War Marker

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, May 31, 2026

5. Murfreesboro During the Civil War Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 11, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 4, 2026, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. This page has been viewed 21 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on June 4, 2026, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.