Stones River National Battlefield

Stones River National Battlefield Stones River National Battlefield preserves over 600 acres of the historic battlefield and National Cemetery near Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
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A Hard Earned Victory:

The Battle of Stones River began on the last day of 1862 and was one of the bloodiest conflicts of the Civil War. The battle produced important military and political gains for the Union, and it changed forever the people who lived and fought here.

Stories of Service and Sacrifice Obediah Norman was born in 1840 to Rachel Norman. He enlisted into the Union Army on Se...
06/12/2026

Stories of Service and Sacrifice

Obediah Norman was born in 1840 to Rachel Norman. He enlisted into the Union Army on September 28, 1861, at Calhoon, Kentucky at the age of 22. He later mustered in on December 9, 1861, into Company H of the 11th Kentucky Infantry Regiment as a private.

On December 26th, the 11th KY received orders to march south towards Murfreesboro in pursuit of Bragg. The 11th Kentucky arrived in Murfreesboro on December 29th and were positioned on the Nashville & Chattanooga Railroad. Early on December 31st, they were sent across the west fork of the Stones River near McFadden’s Ford to occupy that area as fighting south of that position began. They remained in this position until around 9:30am, when they were sent toward the Nashville Pike and Asbury Lane to reinforce troops that had been fighting since 6am.

They put up a stand near Asbury Lane for about an hour before falling back towards the Nashville Pike. They remained in this position along the Nashville Pike for the rest of the first day of fighting. On January 1, 1863, the 11th Kentucky was sent back to their position at McFadden Farm across the west fork of the Stones River.

At 4pm on January 2nd, Confederate forces charged the McFadden Farm area. Once their presence was known in the area, the 11th Kentucky, along with three other brigades, stopped the Confederate attack in less than an hour. It was during these engagements that Private Norman lost his life in the line of battle.

Obediah Norman was first interred in Lavergne, Tennessee before being laid to rest in the Stones River National Cemetery in plot G-2837. His headstone is incorrectly marked with the last name “Nolmouth.” This is one of the many name discrepancies found in the national cemetery.

You can read more about Obediah and other stories spanning more than 160 years of service to our nation and its ideals at go.nps.gov/sacrifice.

Stories of Service and Sacrifice is an initiative remembering at least 250 individuals buried at Stones River National Cemetery and their contributions to our nation’s 250-year story.

More than 300 people picked up their Rutherford County America 250 Passport Books last month, and 15 people earned their...
06/11/2026

More than 300 people picked up their Rutherford County America 250 Passport Books last month, and 15 people earned their commemorative tote bag provided by the Rutherford County Convention and Visitors Bureau (RCCVB)!

This is a great week to pick up a booklet here, the RCCVB visitor center, Oaklands Mansion , Historic Sam Davis Home and Museum, Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) Honors College, Smyrna Public Library and the La Vergne Public Library . You can also download and print your own copy at https://go.nps.gov/rca250passport.

Three passport events take place this Saturday, June 13. You can start the day at the La Vergne Public Works & Community Development Services Facility for a 9 AM flag raising ceremony and Liberty Lap Color Walk.

The Rutherford County Library System’s America 250 Lecture Series will feature Dr. Stacey Graham exploring the importance of Cannonsburgh. The program begins at 11 AM at Linebaugh Library.

The Rutherford Arts Alliance will stamp passports at the Simply Smyrna Celebration. The event will present 250 years of American history through the music that shaped our nation—while highlighting Tennessee's unique role in the development of major music entertainment genres and the artists and communities behind them. It runs from 5:00-9:30 PM at the Historic Depot District.

If you add in a few site visits in between these events, you could collect the ten stamps needed to earn your tote bag in one day!

To find the America’s 250 events featured in the booklet and others throughout our county, go to rutherford250events.com.

Stories of Service and Sacrifice William C Shaw was born in 1840 to Jesse D Shaw and Eliza Shaw. He lived in Ingham Coun...
06/11/2026

Stories of Service and Sacrifice

William C Shaw was born in 1840 to Jesse D Shaw and Eliza Shaw. He lived in Ingham County, Michigan in his adult life. At the age of 20, he enlisted with the Union Army in Locke, Michigan on December 9, 1861. He later mustered into Company K of the 14th Michigan Infantry regiment on January 7, 1862. His rank is unlisted.

The 14th Michigan Infantry Regiment participated in the Siege of Corinth, Mississippi before going to Nashville in December 1862. On December 26th, they received orders to march to Murfreesboro, Tennessee. They arrived on December 30th and were positioned along the Wilkinson Pike and Van Cleve Lane.

By 10am on December 31st, Confederate forces made contact with the 14th Michigan and pushed them to the right flank of a V-shaped position along the Wilkinson Pike. They held this position for about two hours before giving way and retreating towards the Nashville Pike where they remained for the rest of the day.

On the 1st of January, the 14th Michigan were moved to occupy a position near the west fork of the Stones River. This movement triggered the fighting that would later happen on January 2, 1863. Confederate forces swept into the area in order to capture a high ground but were quickly stopped by the Union.

At some point during the battle of Stones River, Shaw received a mortal gunshot wound and was taken to a regimental hospital. He died there on January 3, 1863.

William C Shaw is laid to rest in the Stones River National Cemetery in an unknown grave. He is one of approximately 2,500 soldiers buried in the national cemetery in unknown graves.

You can read more about Shaw and other stories spanning more than 160 years of service to our nation and its ideals at go.nps.gov/sacrifice.

Stories of Service and Sacrifice is an initiative remembering at least 250 individuals buried at Stones River National Cemetery and their contributions to our nation’s 250-year story.

Stories of Service and Sacrifice William H Hook enlisted on October 30th, 1861, at Camp King in Lexington, Kentucky at t...
06/10/2026

Stories of Service and Sacrifice

William H Hook enlisted on October 30th, 1861, at Camp King in Lexington, Kentucky at the age of 18. He joined the Union army and mustered in with Company E of the 23rd Kentucky Infantry on December 12th, 1861.

The 23rd Kentucky had garrison and guard duty in Southern Kentucky and Middle Tennessee January-August of 1862. They were sent to Louisville, Kentucky in pursuit of Bragg, and followed him to the Battle of Perryville in October 1862, where they functioned as reserves. After Perryville, they marched to Nashville, Tennessee, where they remained until December of the same year. They were sent south to Murfreesboro on December 26th to fight at the Battle of Stones River. It is unclear in which phase of fighting at Stones River that Private Hook died, but he lost his life on January 2nd, 1863, likely during these maneuvers.

William H Hook is buried in the Stones River National Cemetery in plot G-2754.

You can read more about Hook and other stories spanning more than 160 years of service to our nation and its ideals at go.nps.gov/sacrifice.

Stories of Service and Sacrifice is an initiative remembering at least 250 individuals buried at Stones River National Cemetery and their contributions to our nation’s 250-year story.

We’re looking for a neighbor to join our team!If you live within 30 miles of our park and have interest in working with ...
06/09/2026

We’re looking for a neighbor to join our team!

If you live within 30 miles of our park and have interest in working with us, we are accepting applications from those living in the local commuting area to fill our vacant Administrative Support Assistant position.

You can learn more about this position and apply online at https://www.usajobs.gov/job/872201300. Applications will be accepted through June 23, 2026.

Stories of Service and Sacrifice George W Outman was born in 1829 in Auburn, Cayuga County, New York. He later moved to ...
06/09/2026

Stories of Service and Sacrifice

George W Outman was born in 1829 in Auburn, Cayuga County, New York. He later moved to Vergennes, Jackson County, Illinois where he worked as a schoolteacher. After working there, he met Amelia Corbet who he would later marry on January 30th, 1851, in Williamson, Illinois.

On August 1st, 1862, he entered service at the age of 33 in Jackson County, Illinois. He mustered in 20 days later in Camp Butler, Illinois into Company K of the 73rd Illinois Infantry regiment. He was a corporal upon enlistment. The Illinois Civil War descriptive rolls describe him as having been 5' 9 1/4" with a light complexion, brown hair, and blue eyes.

The 73rd Illinois was part of Schafer's brigade at the Battle of Stones River. They were in Nashville in December 1862 and headed south for Murfreesboro on the 26th. They arrived in the Murfreesboro area on the 30th and were positioned just east of Gresham Lane. Their main purpose for this battle was to function as reserves, however on the morning of December 31st, they were quickly called to the front for aid. The charges led by the Confederates against them in the area were heavy, and the 73rd was eventually backed into a V-shaped position along the Wilkinson Pike and McFadden Road. They were under continual, heavy fire and eventually had to break into a retreat through the woods. Corporal Outman lost his life in the front lines during this phase of fighting at the battle of Stones River.

Geroge W Outman is laid to rest in the Stones River National Cemetery in plot K-4271.

You can read more about Outman and other stories spanning more than 160 years of service to our nation and its ideals at go.nps.gov/sacrifice.

Stories of Service and Sacrifice is an initiative remembering at least 250 individuals buried at Stones River National Cemetery and their contributions to our nation’s 250-year story.

Stories of Service and Sacrifice Robert W. Springer was born on October 23, 1839, to Enoch and Rachel Springer. A reside...
06/08/2026

Stories of Service and Sacrifice

Robert W. Springer was born on October 23, 1839, to Enoch and Rachel Springer. A resident of Laclede, Illinois, he enlisted on August 29, 1862, and was mustered into service on September 3 as a private in Company C, 98th Illinois Infantry. Although he survived the Battle of Stones River, he became one of many soldiers claimed by a typhoid epidemic that swept through the Army of the Cumberland while encamped in Murfreesboro during the spring of 1863. He died at a hospital in Murfreesboro on April 3, 1863, part of a wave of disease that ultimately took more lives than the battle itself four months earlier.

Springer is buried at Stones River National Cemetery in plot F-2417. His headstone is one of the few nonconforming headstones that can be found in the national cemetery.

Do you know why there are several nonconforming headstones in the cemetery? We will provide the answer in the comments.

You can read more about Springer and other stories spanning more than 160 years of service to our nation and its ideals at go.nps.gov/sacrifice.

Stories of Service and Sacrifice is an initiative remembering at least 250 individuals buried at Stones River National Cemetery and their contributions to our nation’s 250-year story.

Join us in congratulating Bulleit for becoming a B.A.R.K. Ranger! Keep up the great work walking your humans on the path...
06/07/2026

Join us in congratulating Bulleit for becoming a B.A.R.K. Ranger! Keep up the great work walking your humans on the paths in the park!

If you would like to become a B.A.R.K. Ranger, ask about it in the Visitor Center!

Stories of Service and SacrificeLeonard Desmar Simmons was born in 1924 in Cannon County, Tennessee. During World War II...
06/07/2026

Stories of Service and Sacrifice

Leonard Desmar Simmons was born in 1924 in Cannon County, Tennessee. During World War II, he served in the United States Marine Corps as a private assigned to the Signal Corps, where he supported communications essential to Marine Corps operations in the Pacific.

Simmons died while serving in Hawaii on December 26, 1944. For wounds received in the line of duty, he was awarded the Purple Heart. In 1947, his remains were returned to Tennessee and reinterred at Stones River National Cemetery, where he rests in Plot P-6254.

You can read more about Simmons and other stories spanning more than 160 years of service to our nation and its ideals at go.nps.gov/sacrifice.

Stories of Service and Sacrifice is an initiative remembering at least 250 individuals buried at Stones River National Cemetery and their contributions to our nation’s 250-year story.

Address

3501 Old Nashville Highway
Murfreesboro, TN
37129

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm
Sunday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+16158939501

Website

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