The untold story of Sgt. William Holland
Mike West, The Murfreesboro Post, February 18, 2007 Ever visit Hazen’s Monument at Stones River National Battlefield? In case you didn’t know, it is the oldest intact Civil War monument in the nation. Located off the Old Nashville Pike adjacent to the CSX Railroad line, it is a couple of…
New exhibit features local women who have made history
The Murfreesboro Post, February 13, 2007 From the Nation’s Capital to Neighborhood Classrooms: Rutherford County Women, Past and Present is a new exhibit currently on view at The Heritage Center of Murfreesboro and Rutherford County. This exhibit explores the contributions of 10 local women from among the thousands of prominent…
Visit Murfreesboro’s new Heritage Center
As published in the Murfreesboro Post, Mike West, Managing Editor, February 12, 2007 Have you ever wondered what life was like when Murfreesboro was occupied during the Civil War? Do you know the different architectural styles that grace the city’s historic neighborhoods? Have you questioned where the county’s place names…
Civil War: Did a knight’s sacrifice win the battle?
Mike West, The Murfreesboro Post, January 28, 2007 Did the sacrifice of one knight win the day for the Union at the Battle of Stones River? Maj. Gen. William S. Rosecrans apparently believed it did. The knight in question was Col. Julius P. Garesché, Rosecrans’ chief of staff, whose life…
1997: Subdivision looked like a ‘war zone’
Lisa Marchesoni, Murfreesboro Post, January 24, 2007 Destruction caused by a powerful tornado looked “like somebody had dropped bombs” throughout the Southridge subdivision 10 years ago. Veteran sheriff’s Lt. Joe Gray said the tornado ripped through his neighborhood Friday, Jan. 24, 1997, destroying homes four blocks away. “It looked like…
New group advocates historic preservation
Erin Edgemon, The Murfreesboro Post, January 7, 2007 A county wide organization with a mission to educate, advocate for and ensure the preservation of Rutherford County’s culture and history is seeking members. The demolition of the antebellum Hiram Jenkins House this summer and the encroachment of MTSU on historic downtown…
Union order of battle at Stones River
As published in the Murfreesboro Post, December 26, 2006 Organization of the Fourteenth Army Corps, or Army of the Cumberland, The Stone’s River or Murfreesborough, Tenn., Campaign. DECEMBER 26, 1862-JANUARY 5, 1863 Maj. Gen. William S. Rosecrans, U.S. Army, commanding ARTILLERY. Col. JAMES BARNETT. PROVOST GUARD. 10th Ohio, Lieut. Col. Joseph W.…
Confederate organization at Stones River
As published in the Murfreesboro Post, December 31, 2006 Organization of the Army of Tennessee, The Stone’s River or Murfreesborough, Tenn., Campaign. DECEMBER 26, 1862-JANUARY 5, 1863 General Braxton Bragg, CS, Commanding POLK’S CORPS. Lieut. Gen. LEONIDAS POLK. FIRST DIVISION. Maj. Gen. B. F. CHEATHAM. First Brigade. Brig. Gen. DANIEL…
A grim awakening at Stones River
As published in the Murfreesboro Post, Mike West, Managing Editor, December 31, 2006 Dawn of December 31, 1862 brought a bitter surprise to the right wing of the Federal Army of the Cumberland. Gen. Alexander M. McCook, who was in command of that portion of the army, had spent a…
Some links to Civil War songs
As published in the Murfreesboro Post, December 31, 2006 http://www.iath.virginia.edu/utc/sentimnt/sweethomef.html http://www.civilwarband.com/music.shtml http://www.lib.virginia.edu/small/exhibits/music/audio/mp3/john_browns_body.mp3 http://pabucktail.com/songs.htm
“Dixie” still remains topic of controversy
As published in the Murfreesboro Post, Mike West, December 31, 2006 Just like many other issues raised by the Civil War, the origins, meaning and intent of the song, “Dixie,” remains a topic of debate. Both Confederate and Union troops had their own favorite songs both patriotic and sentimental. “The…
March to Murfreesboro began on Dec. 26
As published in the Murfreesboro Post, Mike West, Managing Editor Writer Wednesday, December 26, 2006 One day after Christmas 1862, the Federal Army of the Cumberland moved out of Nashville with the intent of attacking the Confederate Army of Tennessee near Murfreesboro. The U.S. troops were under the command of Maj.…
Bands battled on eve of Stones River clash
As published in the Murfreesboro Post, Mike West, Managing Editor Writer, December 26, 2006 One of the most unique moments of the Civil War occurred on the eve of the Battle of Stones River. Let us set the scene. Both the Federal Army of the Cumberland and the Confederate Army of…
Did real coffee win the Civil War?
As published in the Murfreesboro Post, Mike West, Managing Editor Writer Wednesday, December 10, 2006 When you enjoy all of those holiday treats, think about the not-so-delectable foods devoured by Civil War solders encamped outside Murfreesboro during the winter of 1862. They “dined” on the staples long associated with cowboy movies…
‘The Wedding’ still captivates after 144 years
As published in the Murfreesboro Post, Mike West, Managing Editor Writer Wednesday, December 10, 2006 In the days before Christmas 1862, little Murfreesboro was the scene of one of the most glamorous and romantic moments of the Civil War. The war-time wedding of dashing Confederate raider John Hunt Morgan and socialite…
When Jeff Davis came to town
As published in the Murfreesboro Post, Mike West, Managing Editor Writer Wednesday, December 3, 2006 Murfreesboro is in the midst of a joyous Christmas celebration, 2007 style. Some 145 years earlier, the jubilation was similar, but for a much different reason. The President was coming to the bustling little town of Murfreesborough,…
Carter House Association acquires key part of Franklin Battlefield
As published in the Murfreesboro Post, Mike West, Managing Editor Writer Wednesday, November 28, 2006 FRANKLIN – The Carter House Association Inc. announces the acquisition of a key part of Franklin’s battlefield—a portion of the homestead garden of Fountain Branch Carter—from Chris Waller in a transaction that closed on Nov. 14,…
Did the Confederates have a master plan?
As published in the Murfreesboro Post, Mike West, Managing Editor Writer Wednesday, November 26, 2006 The Union had its modified “Anaconda plan,” but did the Confederate States of America have a master strategy when it launched the Civil War? That question is even more complicated than it appears. Yes, Confederate President…
Scott’s outline of the plan
As published in the Murfreesboro Post, Mike West, Managing Editor Writer Wednesday, November 19, 2006 Maj. Gen. GEORGE B. MCCLELLAN, Commanding Ohio Volunteers, Cincinnati, Ohio: SIR: I have read and carefully considered your plan for a campaign and now send you confidentially my own views, supported by certain facts of which…
Anaconda helps strangle the South
As published in the Murfreesboro Post, Mike West, Managing Editor Writer Wednesday, November 19, 2006 It’s time to talk a little strategy. Just why did Union forces decide to attack on the Cumberland and Tennessee rivers and force their way into Middle Tennessee during the early part of the Civil War?…