Chalmers' Brigade At Murfreesboro: Stones River National Battlefield

CHALMERS’ BRIGADE

AT MURFREESBORO

General James R. Chalmers Mississippi Brigade (CSA) advanced across these fields at 10 a.m. on December 31, 1862, to attack the Union Center at the Round Forest.  Their advance was part of General Braxton Bragg’s Plan to crush the Union right flank early in the morning and then turn on the center.  After holding for 48 hours, Chalmers’ men left muddy rifle pits on a hill 200 yards southeast, and advanced past the Cowan House ruins, 100 yards to the southeast.

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CHALMERS’ BRIGADE

AT MURFREESBORO

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The Cowan House, which burned before the battle obstructed their advance, and forced the brigade to break and reform in the area under a murderous crossfire of Union artillery and infantry fire from the Round Forest, 200 yards to the northwest.  After Chalmers was knocked senseless by an exploding shell, the unit retreated.  Later in the afternoon it reformed under Colonel T. W. White of the Ninth Mississippi Regiment.

SOURCE:  Interpretive Marker, erected by the Tennessee Historical Commission, Stones River National Battlefield, at the intersection of North Thompson Lane and Old Nashville Highway (the historic Nashville Pike), Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Donelson's Brigade At Mufreesboro: Stones River National Battlefield

DONELSON’S BRIGADE

AT MURFREESBORO

General Daniel P. Donelson’s Tennessee Brigade (CSA) advanced across these fields on December 31, 1862, around 11 a.m. in support of Chalmers’ Brigade.  Donelson’s lines were broken by Chalmers’ retreat and by the Cowan ruins.  The brigade split in two, with part advancing west into the cedar woods, where Colonel William Moore of the 8^th Tennessee was killed.  They pushed back General Charles Cruft’s Brigade (USA) and captured over 1000 prisoners and seven cannons.

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DONELSON’S BRIGADE

AT MURFREESBORO

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The other part of the brigade advanced toward Round Forest which was defended by Colonel William B. Hazen’s Brigade (USA).  There the Savage of the 16^th Tennessee were halted in a field of corn stalks, where they held until relieved at 1 p.m. by additional attacks ordered by General Braxton Bragg.  At day’s end, Bragg had thrown four unsuccessful attacks against the Round Forest Position.

SOURCE:  Interpretive Marker, erected by the Tennessee Historical Commission, Stones River National Battlefield, at the intersection of North Thompson Lane and Old Nashville Highway (the historic Nashville Pike), Murfreesboro, Tennessee