Thomas Wright's Diary

Stones River

Commander Army of the Cumberland, General William S. Rosecrans left Nashville, Tennessee on 26, December 1862.

Abram Lincoln was desperate for a victory, his eastern Armies were stalled, and the devastating loss at Fredericksburg. He needed a morale booster plus a victory to help with his Emancipation Proclamation. He would sign in a few days.

The Confederate Army of Tennessee was camped at Murfreesboro Tennessee to block any Union advance towards Chattanooga Tennessee and protect the rich Farms, of central Tennessee, supplying his food.

Union General and Chief, Henry Halleck telegraphed Rosecrans telling him that the Government demands action, and if you can not respond someone else will be tried.

Rosecrans divided his Army of the Cumberland into three wings, to search for Braxton Bragg's Army of Tennessee. 

Rain, sleet, and fog combined with high resistance from  Confederate Cavalry. Slowed the Federal advance. By evening of 30, December 1862 both Armies faced each other, in the forests and fields south west of Murfreesboro.

That evening and night both sides planned their attacks. The strange thing both sides planned to attack the right flank. This would cut off the supply line and means of retreat.

Bragg extended his line south using all but John C. Breckenridge's Division of General William Hardee's Corp. This left only Breckenridge's men to face Rosecrans's planned attack on the east bank of the Stones River, General Thomas Crittenden's left wing.

The men tried to sleep in the mud, and rocky terrain, the bands played to raise spirits. Both Armies music filled the air. Sam Seay of the First Tennessee describes what happened that night.

Just before tattoo, the Military Bands on each side began their evening music. The still winter night carried their strains to great distance. At every pause our side, far away could be heard the bands of the other. Finally one of them struck up Home sweet Home, as if common consent, all others ceased, and the bands of both armies as far as the ear could reach, joined in the refrain. Who knows how many hearts were bold next day by reason of that air.

(Tattoo, is a drum or bugle call, for soldiers to return to their quarters.)

                           Dawn 31, December 1862

Confederate attack,

General J.P. McCown's Division with General Patrick Cleburne's support. Charged across the frosted fields to attack the Federal right flank. Their plan was swing around the Union right and drive them back to the Stones River, cutting off their supplies at the Nashville Pike, and Nashville and Chattanooga railroad.

The men of the Union, General Richard Johnson's Division were just cooking breakfast. When the cracking of picket fire, raised the alarm. The swift dawn attack, had Regiment after Regiment swept from the field.

Lieutenant Tunnel of the Fourteenth Texas Infantry, described the confusion.

Many of the Yanks were either killed or retreated in their nightclothes. We found caisson horses still attached lodged against a tree and other evidence of their confusion. The Yanks tried to make a stand when ever they could find shelter of any kind. All along our route we captured prisoners, who would take refuge behind houses, fences, logs, cedar bushes and in ravines. (Caisson small two wheel wagon holding artillery shot.)

Union artillery tried to hold its ground, but the Rebels wave swept them away. Union Commanders tried to halt resist at every opportunity, any fence or tree line. The Rebel attack was too intense to stop, with a few units trying to hold.