Stones River | Dec 31, 1862 | 12:30 - 3:30 pm
The Opportunity
The Trust has secured two threatened tracts at Stones River totaling 138 acres of hallowed ground, including a rare 122-acre undeveloped parcel in the heart of Murfreesboro, Tennessee – one of the fastest-growing communities in the nation.
Flooded with offers from developers, this land faced imminent loss. At the 11th hour, the Trust persuaded the property owner to choose preservation, ensuring future generations can walk in the footsteps of the soldiers who fought, bled, and died here.
A second 16-acre tract, adjacent to Stones River National Battlefield, was also at risk after being slated for auction. With developers driving up the price, the Trust—backed by a last-minute partnership—secured the property before it could be lost.
None of these efforts would be possible without the ongoing support of dedicated Trust members. Please consider a donation today to help us close these deals.
Want to learn more? Visit this page for more information and history related to this campaign.
The History
The Battle of Stones River, fought from December 31, 1862, to January 2, 1863, near Murfreesboro, Tennessee, was one of the bloodiest conflicts of the Civil War, producing the highest percentage of casualties on both sides.
As Union Maj. Gen. William S. Rosecrans advanced from Nashville to confront Confederate Gen. Braxton Bragg, the two armies collided along Stones River, where Bragg launched a powerful dawn assault on December 31 that drove the Union right back in confusion. Despite the initial shock, Union forces rallied along the Nashville Turnpike, stubbornly holding their ground against repeated Confederate attacks.
After three days of fierce fighting involving more than 80,000 soldiers and leaving nearly 24,000 casualties on the field, Bragg ultimately withdrew his army. Though tactically inconclusive, the battle proved a critical Union victory, securing control of middle Tennessee and delivering a much-needed boost to Northern morale at a pivotal moment in the war.
In 1993, the Civil War Sites Advisory Commission, a congressionally appointed panel of experts, assessed Stones River Battlefield. They ranked the battlefield at the highest level of military importance, but deemed it a Priority IV.1 or “poor integrity” site, effectively giving up on making it a preservation priority.
But we never give up! And, together, we’ve made incredible progress at Stones River, preserving this important battlefield for generations.
