TEACHING WITH PRIMARY SOURCES ACROSS TENNESSEE Battle of Stones River Primary Source Activity Group 1: Pt. Hudson News. Extra. Port Hudson, La. January 2d, 1861. [Date is incorrect; clearly 1863] http:// memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/rbpebib:@field(number+@band(rbpe+02403200)) Topographical sketch of the battlefield of Stone's River near Murfreesboro, Tennessee, December 31st, 1862 to Jan. 3d, 1863 : Major General W.S. Rosecrans, Commanding of the Forces of the United States : General Braxton Bragg, Commanding the enemy's forces. [1863] [topographical map; can we get a large enough copy printed for teachers to be able to read it?] http://www.loc.gov/item/99448909 (This source is not included and is best viewed online.) The battle of Stone River or Murfreesboro [c1864] [print] http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2003664895/ Group 2: Majr. Genl. William S. Rosecrans: at the Battle of Murfreesboro, Jany. 2nd 1863 [between 1856 & 1907] [print] http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2002710003/ Rosecran's victory march [sheet music] [1863] [for cover illustration of Rosecrans] http://lcweb2.loc.gov/diglib/ ihas/loc.natlib.ihas.200000110/default.html Great Battle of Murfreesboro, Tenn. - Jany, 2nd 1863: between the Union Forces, under Genl. Rosecrans, and the Rebel Army under General Bragg [c. 1863] [print] http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2001702149/ Group 3: (These sources are not included in this packet but can be printed as PDFs from the links below.) The plains of Tennessee [sheet music] [1863] http://lcweb2.loc.gov/diglib/ihas/loc.natlib.ihas.200002095/ default.html Kiss me mother, ere I m dead [sheet music] [1863] http://lcweb2.loc.gov/diglib/ihas/loc.natlib.ihas.200001366/ default.html The Son who was his mother s pride [sheet music] [1863] http://lcweb2.loc.gov/diglib/ihas/ loc.natlib.ihas.200001007/default.html Group 4: William S. Rosecrans to Abraham Lincoln, Monday, March 16, 1863 (Telegram concerning appointment of a paymaster) [use transcription] http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/ampage?collid=mal&filename=mal1/224/2245700/ malpage.db&recnum=0 Abraham Lincoln to William S. Rosecrans, Tuesday, March 17, 1863 (Reply to telegram of March 16) [use transcription] http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/ampage?collid=mal&filename=mal1/224/2244100/malpage.db&recnum=0 Group 5: On the battlefield at Stone River [b/w 1863 & 1880] [photo on stereo card; use both sides] http://www.loc.gov/ pictures/item/2011649950/ Stone s River National Cemetery [c1867] [photograph] http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2010645722/ Stones River National Military Park [1957] [illustrated leaflet with map] http://www.loc.gov/item/99448476
Pt. Hudson News. Extra. Port Hudson, La. January 2d, 1861.
ST. HUDSON NEWS EXTRA. PORT HUBSON LA., JANUARY 2d. 1853. Mobile Jan. 1st.--The following dispatch has bust just been received in official quarters. Battle at Murfreesboro. OUR TROOPS VICTORIOUS. 4,000 Prisoners Captured. Fighting Still Going On. Murfreesburro Dec. 31st--We have driven the enemy from every position except his extrems left. Our troops now occupy the battle field. We have captured 4,000 prisoners, 30 pieces of artillery and 200 wagons Among the prisoners are two Brig., Generals. Firing at Murfreesboro Indications of a general Engagement Our Troops Confident! Charleston Dec 30.--Nassau letters report recapture and arrival of Steamer "Emna" taken by Yankee Blockaders off Wilmington N. C., Richmond Dec. 30:--Dr. C. L. Stuart of the Post-Office Department, was assaulted by Capt. Smith (late officer of Wise's Legion) first with a cane and second with a pistol. Smith was disarmed and arrested a Woman is in the case. Fredericksburg Va. Dec. 30.--Flag of Truce came over today. It was of no importance and only related to citizen enemiss. A crouds in considerable numbers is around the Fortifications, more than usual. A fire broke out in this city last might, but was extinguished without much damage. Murfreesboro Tenn. 30.--Rains continued up to last night. It is still raining occasionally. Artillery firing began at 9 this morning and lasted until 11, when our entire left appeared to be engaged. Heavy and rapid musketry commenced and still continues (12 M.) and the big guns are also in the muss. Nothing has as yet been heard from the battle field, which is only 12 miles di ant. Citizens are all confident.--no excitement. Murfreesboro Dec. 30.--The day passed without a general engagement. Since 9 Oclock there has been a spirited artillery duel, which has been interrupted occasionally by Sharp Shooting. Savannah Geo. Dec. 30.--Special despatched to the Republican dated Murfreesboro, of 3th say hat the enemy took position yesterday afternoon, one mile in front of our lines. We burned the splendid mansion of Mr. Carbanna. on the Nashville turnpike, 400 yar is in our front, together with that of Mr. Hodins on the Wilkiuson, pike in order to prevent the enemy from using them as a shelter. This morning is raw and rainy. The inhabitants are rapidly moving beyond our lines Heavy skirnshing commenced to day at 9 o'clock, but no general engagement has taken place up to this hour. ]OVER[.
{page image} The force of the enemy is estimated at 60,000. Reavy musquetry firing has commenced in front and there are indications of a general and teriffie engagement. Afternoon The engagement on our left soon left soon {Omitted text, 1w} general and the battle is now raging. The greatest confidence prevails among our officers and The enemy made a desperate charge upon out lines but were sepulsed with some loss. A most brilliant artillery duel is now progressing. Particulars of the Vicksburg FIGHT. From our Lines. The enemy moved down from Indian Mound on Monday night, to the vicimty of the old race track, thus extending their lines to the bank of the Mississsppi, a mile and a half further south. Early yesterday morning a force appeared in the fallen timber in front of the old race track, in the bend above the city. Our artillery on the hills above opened on them, as did the infantry stationed on the flat along the edge of the timber that has been cut down to obstruct their passage. The enemy were, after a couple of hours skirmishing, forced to retire into the woods. Our ordnance on the hills above favored them with occasional shells all day. In the Monday's fight, when we achieved such a glorious victory, the 3d and 30th Tennessee, and 28th Louisiana regiments, behaved most gallantly and won undying fame. The rout of the enemy was complete. On the third charge at our works, our men greeted them with one dreadful sheet of fire from the infantry and artiliery--the iron storm aunihilating the leading ranks and compelling the column to fall back in confusion and disorder. when our troops followed up, pouring volley after volley into their ranks, capturing four hundred prisoners and five stand of colors. The prisoners to and colors arrived here on Monday evening. The former were assigned quarters in the workhouse and jail, while the latter were displayed in front of Gen. Smith's headquarters. One bears the inscription, "13th Illnois," another "29th Missouri--from our St. Louis friends," and a third "58th Illinois--E. Pluribus, Unum." On our right wing, everything was reported comparatively quiet yesterday afternoon. The skirmishers were at work in a very lively manner at times but the enemy were too much crippled in Monday's flight to make a demonstration in that quarter. They appear to be moving toward our left in force,. and the next advances will perhaps be made south of the Indian Mound. We shall not be surprised then to see them move their iron clads down the Mississippi as near this city as possible, to cover the movements of the troops in the vicinity of the race course. Semper paratus seems to be the motto of our authorities here, and we have every reason to believe that let the enemy come in what shape or by what route he may, we will, aided by the Providence of God, which has shaped our course and sustained our standard thus far, be able to render the present seige of Vicksburg as fi uitless as that of June and July last.-- Whig.
The battle of Stone River or Murfreesboro' [c1864]
Majr. Genl. William S. Rosecrans: at the Battle of Murfreesboro, Jany. 2nd 1863
Great Battle of Murfreesboro, Tenn. - Jany, 2nd 1863: between the Union Forces, under Genl. Rosecrans, and the Rebel Army under General [c1863]
William S. Rosecrans to Abraham Lincoln, Monday, March 16, 1863 (Telegram concerning appointment of a paymaster) From William S. Rosecrans to Abraham Lincoln, March 16, 1863 The following Telegram received at Washington 1. A.M Mar 17th 1863, From Murfreesboro 9. P. M. Dated, Mar 16th 1863. The Secy of War telegraphed after the battle of Stone River:-- "Anything you & your command want you can have." I asked that Paymaster like other staff officers should serve with the others in the field, it was not granted. I then asked as a personal favor that my commission should date from Dec 1861. It was not granted. I then asked that Major Larned1 Chief Paymaster of this Dept might be left here & not removed as I have reason to believe he has been to gratify the spleen of Andrews2 who hates him on account of his dislike the old Col Larned. that was refused when asked that the major might stay to expedite the payment of the troops. Maj Terrel being then sick, that was not granted. Now I find an Aid has been appointed whom having once recommended requested not to be appointed because he went off on a spree the very night after I told him I had recommended him hoping that he would at least quit drinking. After telegraphing the withdrawal & explaining to his brother-in-law Col Don Piatt the reason, I nominated R. S. Thoms3 Esq a young man lawyer of Cincinnati who paying his own way served at the battle of Stone River with as much gallantry & effect as anyone of the staff. This request was disregarded & an aid appointed in spite of my request. I am not covetous of the personal favors, I have never yet made one request in which the public interest has not in my judgement first consulted but I hate injustice & regret it a duty I owe the Govt to lay these facts before you asking that from Chief Himself which for some reason I deem not elsewhere I deem to be accorded me4 W S Rosecrans [Note 1 Charles T. Larned, son of the late Colonel Benjamin F. Larned, was a major and paymaster in the U. S. Army.] [Note 2 Colonel Timothy P. Andrews was the paymaster general of the U. S. Army.] [Note 3 Robert S. Thoms was commissioned a captain and aide-de-camp on April 25, 1863.] [Note 4 A draft of Lincoln's March 17, 1863 reply to Rosecrans is in this collection.]
Abraham Lincoln Papers at the Library of Congress. Transcribed and Annotated by the Lincoln Studies Center, Knox College. Galesburg, Illinois. Abraham Lincoln to William S. Rosecrans, Tuesday, March 17, 1863 (Reply to telegram of March 16) From Abraham Lincoln to William S. Rosecrans [Draft]1, March 17, 1863 Executive Mansion, Washington, March 17, 1863. My dear Sir, I have just received your telegram saying that "The Secy of War telegraphed after the battle of Stone River" "Anything you & your command want, you can have," and then specifying several things you have requested, and have not received. The promise of the Secretary, as you state it, is certainly pretty broad; nevertheless it accords with the feeling of the whole government here towards you. I know not a single enemy of yours here. Still the promise must have a reasonable construction. We know you will not purposely make an unreasonable request; nor persist antly in one after it shall appear to be such. Now, as to the matter of a Pay-Master-- You desired one to be permanently attached to your Army, and, as I understand, desired that Major Larned2 should be the man-- This was denied you; and you seem to think it was denied, partly to disoblige you, and partly to disoblige Major Larned -- the latter, as you suspect, at the instance of Paymaster-General Andrews--3 On the contrary, the Secretary of War assures me the request was refused on no personal ground whatever, but because to grant it, would derange, and substantially break up the whole pay-system as now organized, and so organized on very full consideration, and sound reason as believed-- There is powerful temptation in money; and it was and is believed that nothing can prevent the Pay-Masters speculating upon the soldiers, but a system by which each is to pay certain regiments so soon after he has notice that he is to pay those particular regiments that he has no time or opportunity to lay plans for speculating upon them. This precaution is all lost, if Paymasters respectively are to serve permanently with the same rigiments, and pay them over and over during the war. No special application of this has been intended to be made to Major Larned, or to your Army-- And as to Gen. Andrews, I have, in another connection, felt a little agrieved, at what seemed to me, his implicit following the advice and suggestions of Major Larned -- so ready are we all to cry out, and ascribe motives, when our own toes are pinched. Now, as to your request that your Commission should date from December 1861. Of course you expected to gain something by this; but you should remember that precisely so much as you should gain by it others would lose by it-- If the thing you sought had been exclusively ours, we would have given it cheerfully; but being the right of other men, we having a merely arbitrary power over, it the givi taking it from them and giving it to you, became a more delicate matter, and more deserving of consideration. Truth to speak, I do do not appreciate this matter of rank on paper, as you officers do-- The world will not forget that you fought the battle of "Stone River" and it will never care a fig whether you rank Gen. Grant on paper, or he so, ranks you. As to the appointment of an aid contrary to your wishes, I knew nothing of it until I received your despatch; and the Secretary of War tells me he has known nothing of it, but will trace it out. The examination of course will extend to the case of R. S. Thoms,4 whom you say you wish appointed. captain and aide-de-camp as of April 25, 1863.]
And now be assured, you wrong both yourself and us, when you even suspect there is not the best disposition on the part of us all here to oblige you. Yours very truly A. Lincoln [ Endorsed on Envelope by Lincoln:] To. Gen. Rosecrans. March 17. 1863. [Note 1 Lincoln replies here to a telegram Rosecrans sent on March 16 (See Rosecrans to Lincoln, March 16, 1863), in which the general retailed a series of requests that he had made of the secretary of war which were not honored, in spite of Stanton's apparently expansive response to Rosecrans' victory at Stone's River. Lincoln responds to some of them in the letter that follows.] [Note 2 Major Charles T. Larned had been chief paymaster of the Department of the Cumberland. Rosecrans had requested that Larned be allowed to remain in his command, but Larned was reassigned outside of Rosecrans' department.] [Note 3 Timothy P. Andrews was the army's paymaster-general. Rosecrans alleged that Andrews had reassigned Larned out of personal dislike for him.] [Note 4 Robert S. Thoms, a Cincinnati lawyer, was appointed
On the battlefield at Stones River [between 1863 and 1880]
Stone's River National Cemetery [c1867]
Stones River National Military Park, Tennessee. [1957]