McFadden’s Ford
Part of Stones River National Battlefield, but detached from the main park, McFadden’s Ford was the scene of the final day of fighting on the afternoon of Jan. 2, 1863. Confederate Gen. Braxton Bragg ordered Major Gen. John C. Breckinridge to attack Gen. Horatio Van Cleve’s Division (commanded by Col. Samuel Beatty) occupying a hill overlooking McFadden’s Ford on the east side of the river.
 Breckinridge reluctantly launched the attack with all five of his brigades at 4 p.m. The Confederate charge quickly took the hill and continued on pushing towards the ford. As the Confederates attacked, they came within range of 57 Union cannon massed on the west side of the Stones River.
The cannon took a heavy toll. In forty-five minutes their concentrated fire killed or wounded more than 1,800 Confederates. A Union counterattack pushed the shattered remnants of Breckinridge’s Division back to Wayne’s Hill.
You can access this part of the battlefield via Van Cleve Lane off of NW Broad Street. Limestone bluffs and the gentle curve of Stones River make the ford one of the battlefield’s most beautiful spots despite some road noise from nearby Thompson Lane. It is marked by a tall, white monument erected by the NC&StL Railroad. Admission is free.
Next, Bragg's Trailhead
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