Stones River National Battlefield

While there are more than 70 national parks, sites and memorials that have Civil War resources, national battlefields and military parks are relatively few. In Tennessee, the National Park Service maintains Stones River National Battlefield, Fort Donelson National Battlefield and shares Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park with Georgia and Shiloh National Military Park with Mississippi.

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 paving the way for the Emancipation Proclamation. The battle left much of the area devastated and had a continuing impact on the people and the economy of Rutherford County. Federal losses were 13,249 and Confederate were 10,266.

A large collection of materials (more than 100,000 items) is available for researchers, who must apply for assistance prior to their visit. http://www.nps.gov/stri/historyculture/research1.htm

There is also more than 9 miles of trails at the battlefield. The tour route and the Cotton Field Trail are open to bicycles.

It takes about two hours to tour the battlefield and the new, expanded museum, which features rotating exhibits. (615) 893-9501. Admission is free. www.nps.gov/stri