Stones River Battlefield and Grand Old Opry, Nashville, TN

 

Stones River Battlefield commemorates the Civil War battle from December 31, 1862 to January 2^nd, 1863. This area was important because it protected both the Cumberland River and several train lines, some of which ran all the way south to Atlanta. The confederates, led by General Braxon Bragg, struck early in the morning, catching most of the Union troops, led by William Rosecrans, eating breakfast. One group was better prepared and defended their position at the Slaughter Pen for a couple of hours, then the Hazen Brigade held their position beating back 3 attacks, at Hell’s Half Acre, leaving the field covered with dead confederates and allowing the other Union troops to retreat. Bragg declared victory for the Confederates but was surprised the next morning to find that Union troops still held the Nashville Pike. On January 2^nd, the confederates charged to the Pike, but were slaughtered because union cannon held the hill above McFaddon’s ford. This proved to be the final action and the Confederates retreated. Over 25,000 men were dead, wounded, or captured during this battle. After the battle, the Union army occupied Murfreesboro, a former Tennessee capital and Fortress Rosecrans was created by the Union Army to protect the rail lines. The 200-acre fort could house 15,000 soldiers and could supply 65,000 for months.

Memorial to Hazen Brigade

We had planned to visit the National Museum of AfricanAmerican Music, but didn’t want to pay the $30 for parking since we only had about an hour and a half to spare. That night we attended the Opry Country Classics at the Grand Old Opry hosted by Larry Gatlin. This was a great two-hour show. Larry Gatlin did some great numbers with his brothers as well as quite a few solo songs. The other performers typically did about three numbers each: William Michael Morgan, Emily Ann Roberts, TG Sheppard and Shenandoah. William Michael Morgan mentioned that this was his 71^st appearance at the Opry, but the first in two years, because of Covid. The show did go on during Covid, but without an audience. Everyone was happy to have an audience and we were encouraged to sing during many of the choruses.