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

The Charge Kept Coming, Coming Like the Sea

Photographed by Shane Oliver, January 16, 2021

1. The Charge Kept Coming, Coming Like the Sea Marker

Inscription. The fields you see here witnessed a full afternoon of ferocious fighting on the first day of battle at Stones River. Federal cannon raked the Confederates charging across the open cotton fields toward the Nashville Pike. Here Union regiments that had been pushed back since sunrise stopped their retreat and held their ground.

I never saw guns served as fast… Before the recoil was expended the gunners… threw the pieces [back] into [firing] position… the swab was run in, the handle turned, withdrawn, the charge sent home, and the gun fired… The [Confederate] charge kept coming, coming like the sea, ever nearer at each succeeding wave. But men were not born who could… face that storm of caniste…they broke, the fled… and took refuge in the clump of trees and weeds…
Alfred Pirtle, lieutenant 10th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Rousseau’s Division

There was no time for fear, Every eye strained forward on that line of dingy gray… wavering, reeling, checked completely as the full weight of our fire poured into their ranks.
Ebenezer Hannaford, private 6th Ohio Volunteer Infantry

The [Federal] artillery opened up on us and cut the timber off over our heads, and it seemed the heavens and earth were coming together. Our men sheltered themselves as best they could behind trees and
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ledges of rock…a retreat… was our only salvation from death or capture.
John T. Tunnel, private 14th Texas Infantry

We were not able to rout the enemy from his strong position. At the time we charged, on battery… was pounding shot and shell upon us, and two others, one on each side, turned loose a perfect hail of balls on us…
James A. Williamson, lieutenant colonel 2nd Arkansas Mounted Infantry

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. 35° 52.835′ N, 86° 26.07′ W. Marker is in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, in Rutherford County. It 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.

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: Passing Through Murfreesboro (here, next to this marker); Their Longest, Coldest New Year’s Eve (here, next to this marker); God has granted us a Happy New Year! (a few steps from this marker); Why Fight Here?

Photographed by Sandra Hughes, August 25, 2015

2. The Charge Kept Coming, Coming Like the Sea Marker

(within shouting distance of this marker); Battle at Stones River (within shouting distance of this marker); Stand Fast! (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); This "Precious Dust" (about 400 feet away); U.S. Regulars Memorial (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Murfreesboro.

Other markers no longer nearby. Chicago Board of Trade Battery (was about 300 feet away but has been confirmed missing); Stones River National Cemetery (was about 500 feet away but has been permanently removed).

Also see . . . Stones River National Battlefield. National Park Service (Submitted on November 18, 2015.)

The Charge Kept Coming, Coming Like the Sea image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sandra Hughes, August 25, 2015

3. The Charge Kept Coming, Coming Like the Sea

Photographed by Sandra Hughes, August 25, 2015

4. The Charge Kept Coming, Coming Like the Sea

Credits. This page was last revised on March 15, 2021. It was originally submitted on November 17, 2015, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. This page has been viewed 734 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on March 13, 2021, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia. 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 17, 2015, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.