normal grave stones in the Union grave yard the short ones are for unidentified bodies. The taller have names or initials of the soldier. All Union soldiers were re-buried there after 1875. The confederate were buried in Green lawn cemetery in Murfreeboro. Women raised the funds for this interment.
Fancy tombstone in the cemetery.
We were very lucky to hop into a organized tour for some company. the park ranger was the same one that we had a tour with in July with Andy's family. He is an AWESOME tour guide. He really has the knack of making history come to life.
The tour took us into the Slaughter pen. It just seemed unnaturally cold there. probably just my imagination working over time knowing the history of that spot. How many young men were killed there in that place in a matter of hours. It is horrifying to picture. I would not like to be there after dark. The place gives me the creeps in the daylight. Overwhelmingly sad.
In this battle alone 24,000 men died. Three women were wounded here. They had dressed up as men and were fighting, and were discovered because of the wounds.
The Battle of Stones River is important because it was the first Union victory. It made the British decide not to recognize the Confederacy and not get involved in the war. Pretty much nails in the coffin without support for the Confederacy. It made the Emancipation proclamation have some real teeth. Murfreesboro became an important supply hub for the Union. It helped supply Sherman's The march to the Sea and other key battles.
I also learn if I want to scare myself silly hanging out in the slaughter pen will do it!
3 comments:
Love me some History...very cool of you to share!
Great photos and history lesson.
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