Near Murfreesboro in Rutherford County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
Sheridan Saves the Day
Photographed By Shane Oliver, January 16, 2021
1. Sheridan Saves the Day Marker
By the middle of the night before the battle, General Sheridan saw signs that the Confederates might attack near here. By 4 a.m., Sheridan had visited all three of his brigade commanders. He gave orders for his men to be fed an early breakfast and be made ready to fight. Other Federal divisions farther to the south did little to prepare themselves for the onslaught.
At dawn the Confederates struck. Whole regiments in blue dissolved. Thousands turned and ran. Sheridan kept his men under tight control as they pulled back, one regiment at a time. Here Sheridan held the line for two hours—battling until they had no more bullets. Sheridan's skill and will to fight bought General Rosecrans enough time to put the rattled, retreating units into a strong new battle line near Nashville Pike.
"There was no sign of faltering with the men, the only cry being for more ammunition, which unfortunately could not be supplied." - Philip Sheridan, brigadier general, commanding 3rd Division, right wing
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil.
Location. 35° 52.053′ N, 86° 25.921′ W. Marker is near
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Boys, you must get out of here! You are surrounded! (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Sheridan's Stand (about 300 feet away); Michigan (about 600 feet away); Why Fight Here? (approx. 0.2 miles away); Battle at Stones River (approx. 0.2 miles away); Donelson’s Brigade at Murfreesboro (approx. half a mile away); Chalmers’ Brigade at Murfreesboro (approx. half a mile away); They Passed This Way (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Murfreesboro.
Regarding Sheridan Saves the Day. The background of the text is a painting "Sheridan Saves the Day" by Andy Thomas and is captioned "December 31, 1862 - mid-morning"
Photographed By Darren Jefferson Clay, September 7, 2021
2. Sheridan Saves the Day Marker
Photographed By David Graff, April 25, 2012
3. Sheridan Saves the Day
View from the marker looking south toward the Wilkinson Pike.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 8, 2021. It was originally submitted on June 11, 2013, by David Graff of Halifax, Nova Scotia. This page has been viewed 684 times since then and 48 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on March 13, 2021, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia. 2. submitted on September 8, 2021, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. 3. submitted on June 11, 2013, by David Graff of Halifax, Nova Scotia. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
