Posted: Tuesday, July 7, 2009 2:35 pm

Stones River National Battlefield is hosting its annual artillery encampment and battery firing programs on Saturday and Sunday, July 18-19.

Cannons and crews from several states will assemble on the battlefield to tell the story of artillery at the Battle of Stones River and demonstrate the firing of Civil War cannon. The physical and psychological impact of artillery played a critical in the Union victory at
Stones River. Union artillery batteries stopped Confederate attacks at the most crucial moments of the fight.

The cannon will fire near the visitor center each day at 10 and 11 AM, and 1, 2, and 3 PM on Saturday July 18, and 10 and 11 AM, and 1 and 2 PM, on Sunday July 19.

Visitors will get a chance to try their hand at artillery drill at 10:30 and 11:30 AM, and 1:30 PM each day as the soldiers take them to the guns for some intense instruction in the art of firing a cannon. The battery camp will be open to the public during each day, and visitors are encouraged to join the soldiers and ask them questions about life in the
Union army. Program times are subject to change due to weather conditions.

These programs are part of a series of interpretive programs offered at the battlefield during the year. Stones River National Battlefield is located on the Old Nashville Highway, northwest of Murfreesboro. Additional information is available at the visitor center, by calling (615) 893-9501 or at the park website (http://www.nps.gov/stri).