"Show Them How Men Can Die" - The Slaughter Pen

3501 Old Nashville Highway,Murfreesboro TN 37129

07 August, 2021

Description

Watch Union soldiers fire from the cover of rocks where some of the deadliest and decisive fighting of the battle took place. By 10 AM on December 31, 1862 it appeared that the Confederate Army of Tennessee was on its way to winning decisive victory to close out the year. The gray lines had overwhelmed must of the Union Right Wing and seemed ready to surge north to the Nashville Pike to cut the Army of Cumberland's supply line and retreat route. That all changed as five Union brigades stood their ground for nearly two hours near the Wilkinson Pike in some of the bloodiest fighting of the battle. The deadly fighting in the Slaughter Pen stalled the Confederate advance long enough for their army to set a new line of defense that shifted the tide of battle. Listen as a Park Ranger tells the tale of this critical and deadly phase of the battle while Union soldiers fire from the rocks used as cover by the men who fought there nearly 159 years ago. Programs will be offered at 10 AM, 1 PM & 3 PM. Reservations are required, and group sizes for each program will be limited to ensure the ability of visitors and staff to follow public health guidance to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Reservation period will end at 7 AM on August 7th. Reservations may be made on the day of the program at the visitor center desk. Individuals who do not attend a program and fail to cancel reservations will be unable to make future reservations for the remainder of the year. Reservations are non-transferable. Anyone who attempts to transfer or sell reservations will have all future reservations cancelled immediately. Stones River National Battlefield, a unit of the National Park Service, preserves and interprets the landscapes where one of the most important battles of the American Civil War raged from December 31, 1862 through January 2, 1863.