Battles of the Civil War

by Thomas Elbert Vineyard

It was plain to be seen that a deadly combat would begin with the coming of the morning.

Rosecrans had planned to attack the Confederate right under Breckinridge, while on the other hand Bragg had planned to attack the Federal left under McCook, and to seize the Nashville turnpike and thereby cut off Rosecrans' retreat. Neither, of course, knew of the other's plan.

At the break of day, on December 31st, the Confederate left moved forward in a magnificent battle-line, about a mile in length and two columns deep. At the same time the Confederate artillery opened with their cannon. The Federals were astonished at so fierce and sudden a charge and were ill prepared. Before McCook could arrange them several batteries were overpowered and several heavy guns fell into the hands of the Confederates. The Union troops fell back in confusion and seemed to have no power to check the impetuous charge of the onrushing foe. Only one division, under General Philip H. Sheridan, held its ground. Sill's brigade of Sheridan's division drove the Confederates in front of its back to their entrenchments, but in this charge the brave commander lost his life.

While the battle raged with tremendous fury on the Union right, Rosecrans was three miles away, throwing his left across the river. Hearing the terrific roar of the cannon and rattle of the musketry, he hastened to attack Breckinridge, hoping to draw a portion of the Confederate force away from the attack on his right. Ere long the sound of battle was coming nearer, and he rightly divined that his right wing was being rapidly driven upon his center by the dashing soldiers of the South. He ordered McCook to dispute every inch of the ground; but McCook's command was torn to pieces except the division of Sheridan, which stood firm against the overwhelming numbers, which stand attracted the attention of the country and brought military fame to Sheridan. He checked the onrushing foe at the point of the bayonet, and re-formed his lines under a heavy fire. Rosecrans ordered up the reserves to the support of the Union center and right. Here for two hours longer the battle raged with unabated fury. Three times the Confederate left and center were thrown against the Union lines, but failed to break them. At length it was discovered that the ammunition was exhausted in Sheridan's division and he withdrew in good order to a plain near the Nashville road. The Confederates' advance was checked by the division of Thomas.

It was now in the afternoon, and still the battle raged in the woods and on the hills about Murfreesboro.

The Federal right and center had been forced back to Stone's River, while Bragg's right was on the same stream close to the Federal line.

In the meantime Rosecrans had massed his artillery on a hill overlooking the field. He had also re-formed his broken lines, and had called 12,000 fresh troops from his left into action. The battle re-opened with utmost fury, and the ranks of both armies were torn with grape and canister and bursting shells.

General Breckinridge brought all of his division excepting one brigade into the action. They had for some time been inactive and were refreshed by a short rest. The Confederates now began a vigorous attack upon the Federal columns, but were swept by a raking artillery fire. They rallied again to the attack, but their ranks were again swept by Rosecrans' artillery and the assault was abandoned.

Darkness was now drawing over the scene of battle, and the firing abated slowly and died away. It had been a bloody day, the dead and dying lay upon the field and in the hospitals in great numbers, and with the awful gloom and suffering of that night ended the first day's battle at Murfreesboro.

The next day was the first of the new year, and both armies remained inactive during the entire day, except to quietly prepare to renew the conflict on the morrow. The renewal of the battle on January 2d was fully expected, but there was but little fighting until late in the afternoon. Rosecrans had sent General Van Cleve across the river to occupy an elevation from which he could shell the town of Murfreesboro.