24 - Misery at Murfreesboro - the Battle of Stones River

About this episode: 

For Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson Davis, the summer and fall of 1862 was a veritable roller coaster ride of emotion, from glimmering hope to hand-wringing despair. For Davis, the Confederate summer offensive may well have been the South’s greatest chance for foreign recognition - but by the end of October, that moment had passed. For Lincoln, far too cautious and deliberate generals allowed retreating Confederate armies to escape from Maryland and Kentucky. Both presidents had to accept that the conflict had no end in sight. And yet, as 1862 drew to a close, both saw opportunity in central Tennessee. Fought in weather that had to match the mood of weary men, officers, presidents, and American people, this is the story of the clash along the banks of Stones River. This is the story of the Battle of Murfreesboro.

 

Some Characters Mentioned In This Episode: 

Braxton Bragg

Don Carlos Buell

Willian Rosecrans

Philip Sheridan

Leonidas Polk

Julius P. Garesché

 

Other References From This Episode

 Actions on December 31st, 1862 - 8 a.m.

 

Actions on December 31st, 1862 - 11 a.m.

 

Actions on December 31st, 1862 - 4 p.m.

 

Actions on January 2nd, 1863 - 4 p.m.

 

Actions on January 2nd, 1863 - 4:45 p.m.

 

*** Maps Source: Hal Jespersen, http://www.cwmaps.com/

 

Recommendation for Further Reading

 

Get The Guide:

Want to learn more about the Civil War? A great place to start is Fred's guide, The Civil War: A History of the War between the States from Workman Publishing. The guide is in its 9th printing.

 

*Title Image by Andy Thomas

Producer: Dan Irving