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The Daily News-Journal from Murfreesboro, Tennessee • 49

Location:
Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Issue Date:
Page:
49
Extracted Article Text (OCR)

1--. IZi ,1. -r v. Feb; 28, 1993 "RIVER RAN RED" 9 A 1 A A 111 1 so. isi's jCGwC rc enactments Lester L.

Tad" Porter HCa St i 1 Battlefield of Murfreesboro Re-Enactment March 5-7, 1993 By CLINTON CONFEHR News Journal Staff Writer Four Beparate re-enactments of the Battle of Stones River, or Battle of Murfreesboro as known by Confederates, are planned March 5-7 on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' property near Percy Priest Lake at Smyrna One-day admission is $7 for an adult and $3 for children between 6 and12. A weekend pass is $18 for adults and $7 for children between 6 and 12, Most activities will be seeh best Saturday and Sunday, March 6 and 7f The Board of Directors of the Battle' of Murfreesboro Re-enactment Association Inc. was scheduled to meet Feb. 17 and finalize the schedule, said Rutherford County Historical Society president Shirley Jones of Murfreesboro.

A tentative schedule was released with details of events obtained from association members. Some of the events are for re-enactors and then only when they're in Civil War period garb. The tentative schedule is as follows: Cowan House J- if jS -n. Source: Map prepared for Major Gen. Al Gatlin, 1st y8' Confederate Division, by Capt.

B. Carter, AOT JJ-' Engineers- i Friday Battle Beans DNJMp Mike They- improved-conditions for soldiers and distributed warm clothing, medicine and fresh water. They were very mobile. Ladies' bazaars, obviously, were never held with Union and Confederate soldiers together, so this part of the re-enactment will not be historically accurate, but will serve the purpose of demonstrating the bazaars to the re-enactors since it is held only for them. It will show the different frt While formed by ladies, and worked by them, tiie reason for the bazaar is the soldier for his aid.

There are 16 booths planned this weekend. 5 p.m.: Camps closed to the general public. 7 p.m. to midnight: A military and civilian soiree which is closed to the public, but will be held by and for the re-enactors. An explanation of this event is offered only to inform the general public The social event is not i i.

t. mstoncauy rrec, the re-enactors. from Kentucky will play waltzes, polkas and other tunes. The 14-piece instrumental band Tdlperiodiistruments will entertain the patrons of the bazaar. "There will be a band stageThe dance floor will be a warehouse iialt TVio (Tafhonncr ia nnt wvinl event that could have been witnessed during the Civil War because both Union andCon federate soldiers will be present, but it does satisfy the heeds of the re-enactors of 1993.

SUNDAY, MARCII 7 .7 a.m.: Reveille by Dr. walking shoes and sturdy are encouraged Tractors and service on a space available inuuias iiusjiimi cancer specialist 9 a.m public. Camps open to the 10 a.m.: Division parade. "Typical Army." During the war when armies were camped they didn't remain They had duties such as picket duty or fatigue duty which is foraging for food, fetching water and At the end of the day, there was an evening parade, also known as Pass in Review. 11 a.m.: Church service, open to the public.

1 lL There will be religious im-pression and Christian organizations depicted to reflect the attitudes of the 19th century religious thoughts. They were very strong toward temperance and a temperance lecture is practically guaranteed. 1 Formation for battle. (see 2 p.m. Friday) 2 B.

a 1 Breckenridge's Charge. On the morning of that battle, Confederate scouts found a way to cross the river where there was very little Union infantry. fighting toward the river, it appeared the battle would be a Confederate victory. Bragg had already sent word to his superiors of victory being imminent Once a crossing place was found, Breckenridge led a charge to cross the river. Confederates a.de- "Peated charges, but Union cannon on a hill "shot them" like fish in" a bucket" from a good vantage point.

More than re-enactors may be seen sweeping the length of an open field right in front of the spectators' viewing line." It is at this point the grand assault faulters under pressure of Union forces and Breckenridge's troops fall back to their original position. 1 his part ot the re-enactment requires tae Kreuufsi. leap ui itutu suspend disbelief because the battle being portrayed was at a river, but the re-enactment battlefield has no river. That may not matter much because the conflict included cannon fire, and this part of the re-enactment is expected to be thunderous. Union cannons fired at Confederates from a hill and the re-enactment battlefield does have a hill.

Confederate forces also had cannon cannon and this part of the battle became an artiUery duel with Union artillery held the posi tion until reinforcements could be brought in. ri-" During this part of the battle Gen. Palmer was wounded. He lay in the field for the entire night. Palmer was born and raised in Murfreesboro.

His home stilt stands in Murfreesboro just off the Square. Palmer was the subject of a book titledvJennesseVsFjattered Brigadier. access reopened to the military camps, Vehicle entry to the military camps is strictly for redactors 1 and for their transfer of supplies, not to ferry people from one place to another. i -During unscheduled Deriods of the weekend, visitors may see civilian impressions of refugees and others who hadaeen affected-by thewar in some way such as having Been made homeless Jrom the war and seeking refuge. Other impressions may be xf ladies who are not as affected by the war ladies who could go shopping in town.

of the many female re-enactment groups-is-the-Ladies-Soldiers' Friend Society, a-Nashville-based ladies' re-enacting group that portrays civilian impressions during the war years. They do a composite of Union ana tjonieaeraie svmpaim re-enactments. These sights might "be termed living history portrayals of home lifestyles. This guide in The Daily News' JournaL-isfor visitors land re- enactors alike but another publication was to be prepared by re-enactors for re-enactors called the Ladies' Bazaar Catalogue and Guide, "The publication was being prepared by Sandy Cartwright, whose help with this events schedule storyia gTatefally Others assisting with the story were Sam; Greene and Charles Wilson, whose comments and assistance were also exemplary. All three are on the Board of Directors of the Battle of Murfreesboro P.O.

Box 492, Smyrna, Tenn. 37167. Samuel Waitman Daimwood Co. 24th Tenn. Infantry "Duck River Rifles' Great-grandfather of re-enactor Sam Greene The re-enactment bazaar is a composite of fairs and bazaars held during the war mainly as fund-raisers for -war 'relief ahd conducted mostly by the ladies.

Their efforts were charitable and volunteer work. They might be, likened to craft fairs today, but had their own special flavor' with floor. The warehouse, will be goods, homemade draped in buntirfgTred white articles and furious shop-typand blue. Flaes will adorn the -FRIDAY, MARCH 5, Vehicle access to military camps will be closed from" I to 5:30 p.m. Vehicle access is for re-enactors only.

j. are advised to arrive early Saturday and be prepared to spend the day. Don't be in any hurry. Be prepared to do a lot of walkingVisitors wilLbe outside all day. Families with small children would do well to bring a stroller.

'j 2 p.m.; Begin march" for battle. This is the first military event of the re-enactment. It will be, "typical army1 with a great deal of "hurry up and wait" Re-enactors will form battalions and divisions. Soldiers will check weapons which can be a time-consuming drill. Imagine 4,000 troops in one line and generals ordering them -to form columns of two, and then columns of four and then march them to the staging area.

The re-enactors will do that to begin their march for battle. 3:30 p.m.: Battle fighting around the Brick Kiln the first actual combat part of the re-enactment Unless spectators are already on the viewing line, they won't see much. The battle Friday is three quarters of a mile from the spectator line. This battle will be more for the re-enactors who will be fighting through thick woods to a field where a replica of a farmer's brick kiln will be located. Typically, farmers made their own bricks during the 1860s.

Their kilns were not large structures. The kiln will be in the field where Gen; Phillip Sheridan made his stand. Confederates chased ipart of the Union army through the woods and Sheridan decided to turn and fight there. The early part of this battle' will probably Jiot be at all because the fighting is through the woods to the open field where the kiln is located. Sheridan had lost ground, but was able to rally his troops long enough for them to regroup.

The part this battle visible to spectators will be in the fiel at the kiln. When fighting begins, visitors may hear the "musketry" iri the woods and canrtojr firing. As Confederates -drive the Federals out of the woods, the Second Battalion of Confederates will be attacking the Federal For the purpose of. the re-enactment, the Battalion will be -inwaitsngbut during-thfi-war, the Confederates came around le woods. 5:30 ri.mA Carrms are closed to the eeneral Dublic.

but vehicle access reopened to military camps for vehicle unloading only "Again, this is a tame for the re-enactors only. 6:30 to 7:30 p.nu Union and Confederate Battle of die Bands. During the Battle of Stones River 130 years ago, the two armies were camped within, a short distance of each other and they could hear the other side's band play. The Confederates would strike up. Dixie.

The Union would respond with the Battle Hymn of the Republic. The bands would swap period songs and at the vry end, one would play Home Sweet Home. 1 ThV other band would play the same song and simultaneously. the men sang the song. The next day they fought each other in mortal combat SATURDAY, MARCH 6 6 a.m.: Reveille blown by -Tad Porter for the Confederates.

The Union bugler's name was not known at press time. 7 a.m.: Vehicle access to military camps ends Sunday afternoon, a matter for re-enac tors only. 9 a.m.: and civilian public. 10 a.m. for battle.

Confederate, Union camps open to the Cavalry formation Hundreds of horses were expected to participate in the re-enactment. The- Battle of Stones River is known for its artillery duel. Cannon are pulled by horses. Cavalry action is also to be re-enacted. 10 to 11 a.m.: Drill period preceding the cavalry action re-enactment.

This drill time is similar to the "begin March for Battle" eventFriday afternoon. 11 a.m.: Battle cavalry action. No infantry or artillery will be re-enacted at this time to limit the depiction to how men fought from horseback. There was cavalry but not much during the Battle of Stones River. There was some near Murfreesboro and might best be termed skirmishing between the two armies' Cavalry units.

Spectators will be able to-view Schedule oT activities Friday, March 5 9 a.m. Site opens 10 a.m. 11a.m. 2 p.m. 5:30 p.m.

Company drill Battalion drill Battle opens Camps close Saturday, March 6 9 a.m. Site opens 10 a.m. 11 ajn. 2 p.m. 5:30 p.m.

Battalion drill Cavalry battle Round Forest Camps close Sunday, March 7 9 a.m. Site opens 10:30 axi. 11 a.in. 1 p.m. Division parade Church service Breckinridge's Charge HOW ARE TICKETS? $7 for adults per day, $3 for children and free for children under 6.

A weekend $18 for. adults and $7ibr children. Tickets are available-at the gate. There will be a $2 parking charge. jjWpro things such as Turkish divans.

They were usually festive and theatrical. They were mainly held by the North. The U.S. 'Sanitary Commis sion, organized in 1861, had agents who went from city to camp to give direct aid to soldiers, usually to teach them how to rid the camps of disease. it extremely well.

Jt will be in' a field where, there will be very little obstruction to keep people from seeing the action. This display will be separate. A' large raid took place during the battle; Wheeler's Cavalry, CSA, raided the Federal wagon supply train north of Murfrees- boroTWhetherTigohs used in the re-enactment seemed nukelyrccording to an early February report This will be held in what is considered the main re-enact- ment battlefield. When people come in the front gate it yill be to their; right, and. the third field over.

2 Formation for battle, (see 2 p.m. Friday) 3 p.m4 Battle the Round ForestCowan House. This action is named after two a woodlot and the burned remains of the Cowan family's house. Confederate forces advanced toward the Union line; The Cowan house had burned, but its fence remained and it split -the lines of the armies. The fence meant Confederate forces had to split their forces to get around it.

There was a great deal of heavy fighting, but the fence allowed the Union Army to retreat Confederates next came upon -the riHinrLihrest and iUnion. troops-were well entrenched. Severe casualties resulted from heavy fighting there. Sheridan took his stand at the kiln, as described for "Saturday morning's event Had the federal "troops not been able to- regToup in the Round Forest, the Battle of Stones River might have been known as the Battle of Murfreesboro because it would then have been a Confederate victory. Jen.

Bragg sent several' assaults against thejeotind forest and suffered heavy casualties 4 p.m.: Ladies' Bazaar opens. Thi3 is for registered re -enactors only. Visitors should not attempt to view or participate in the bazaar, but a description is offered to relate other aspects of Civil War life. SEATING: No seating is provided so spectators should bring lawn chairs or a blanket to sit oh. Given the size of the crowd, early arrival is encouraged for the battles to obtain a prime viewing spot, DISTANCES: This is a large piece of property and the distance from the parking area to the battle spectator ilinesre considerable.

Good strollers for small children wagons will offer a shuttle basis. FOOD SERVICE: A Nashville catering firm will -provide a range of food on the site including breakfast, lunch and dinneriare. Coolers and picnic baskets will not be, permitted past the front CAMERAS, BINOCULARS: Are welcome' Post Video of Kansas City will produce a. sophisticated digital video tape of the battle telling the story of the original battle through the re-enactment Orders for the tape can be placed on site. RAIN GEAR: The event will proceed raincrshkie justlike the oriEinal battle..

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