1863

Currier & Ives

Print

Title: Battle of Murfreesboro, Tenn. - Jany. 2nd 1863. Betwen the Union forces, under Genl. Rosecrans, and the Rebel Army under General Bragg.

Hand colored lithograph published by Currier & Ives at 152 Nassau Street, New York. Print is mounted. Caption under the title reads: "This was one of the greatest battles of the war, commencing on the 31st December 1862, and (after terrible losses) terminating on January 2nd 1863 in a glorious Victory for the 'Stars and Stripes.' The desperate valor of both armies, during this three days fight, will be long remembered, by the brave Heroes, who shared its dangers and its renown." Depicts endless rows of troops clashing in background. Foreground shows a group of Union soldiers in blue on…

GLC02881.09

1862-1865

Allison, Eben, fl. 1861-1865

Header Record

Title: [Collection of Eben Allison, A company, 15th regiment, Pennsylvania, cavalry] [Decimilized .001-.126]

Allison served in the 15th Pa. Cavalry, "Anderson's Cavalry." Allison's correspondence mentions Murfreesboro (Stones River), Chattanooga, second battle of Dalton (in Georgia against Confederate General Wheeler), Nashville, guerillas, the Presidential election of 1864, and Parson Brownlow. The collection also includes telegraphs, a rare broadside and a cardboard note to his father. Excellent battle and political content.

GLC03523.24

1861-1864

Lyman Family

Header Record

Title: [Lyman family letters] [Decimalized .01- .32]

The three Lyman brothers came from Delaware, Ohio. They enlisted in the 18th U.S. Infantry Regiment and served in the Army of the Cumberland in Tennessee and Mississippi. The collection also includes letters from Sergeant Nelson Pierce, a friend from Delaware, Ohio, who died on 1 January 1863 from wounds sustained in the Battle of Stone River; Fred Bundy who was probably another neighbor; and George Ellis, whose relationship with the Lymans is not known. Ellis served in the Union Navy and saw action at Corinth, Mississippi, Baton Rouge and New Orleans, Louisiana. Letters also describe the…

GLC03606

circa 1861-1865

Photograph

Title: Soldier's monument at Stones River

The image shows two sides of a soldier's monument on which there are inscriptions. One reads: "The veterans of Shiloh have left a deathless heritage of fame on the fields of Stone River." The other inscription is illegible. Two gravestones are visible on the right edge of the photo. Numeric notation on image: "207." Inscription on verso: "On the battlefield at Stone river." Numeric notations on verso: "207" and "6649."

GLC05111.01.1101

3 January 1863

Allison, Eben, fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Dorcas C., James and Jasper Allison

One letter from Eben Allison to Dorcas C., James and Jasper Allison dated January 3, 1863. Writes of the Battle of Stones River, a futile cavalry charge, lost men and the course of the battle.

GLC03523.24.036

7 December 1862

Brooks, Alfred F., fl. 1862

Map signed

Title: [Manuscript Civil War map of the Battle of Murfreesboro]

Hand-colored map depicting Confederate and Union troop and artillery positions, and the location of a hospital. Brooks was the Acting Topographical Engineer, 2nd Brigade, 5th Division, 14 Army Corps.

GLC06162

1861-1865 ca.

Photograph

Title: Contrabands repairing the railroad at Stone River battle ground

E. & H. T. Anthony, publisher. Five or six men working on the railroad. Caption: "Contrabands at work repairing the Rail Road at Stone River Battle ground, near Murfreesburgh [sic], Tenn."

GLC05137.052

circa 1861-1865

Roberts, George W., fl. 1862-1865

Photograph

Title: As colonel, standing full-length portrait holding sword with both hands

Ink inscription on recto "Colonel Geo. W. Roberts." Graphite inscription on verso "Home at Chicago" "**Book." Ink inscription on verso "He was Commissioned Major of the 42d Regt. Illinois Infantry July 22d 1861, Promoted Nov. 25th 1861 to Lieut. Col. and Dec 24 1861 by the unanymous vote of the Officers of the Regt made Colonel." "He was killed Dec 31st 1862 at the Battle of 'Stone River' near Murfreesboro Tenn while commanding the 3d Brigade in the 3d Div of thie 20th Army Corps of the Dept of the Cumberlands." Photographers imprint on verso: "Van Stavoren, Photographer, No. 53 College…

GLC05111.02.1166

3 January 1863

Greeley, Horace, 1811-1872

Newspaper

Title: New-York Daily Tribune. [Vol. 22, no. 6786 (January 3, 1863)]

One newspaper issue of New-York Daily Tribune, dated January 3, 1863. Prints the Emancipation Proclamation on page four. This is among the early printings of the Proclamation in a newspaper. Other news includes the Battle of Murfreesboro with map, attack on Vicksburg, and other Civil War news. Includes article on U.S. relations with Mexico.

GLC08862

January 11, 1863

Gibson, Randall Lee, 1832-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Theodore O'Hara

Gibson, Colonel of the 13th Louisiana Volunteers (Confederate) discusses the recent Battle of Stones River, or Murfreesboro, Tennessee, with Colonel O'Hara. Reports details of the battle, which resulted in a Union victory. Relates that he informed General Daniel Weisiger Adams of the enemy's dispositions, but that it was "too late to accomplish a timely change in our positions." Writes that despite ensuing confusion during the battle, "the officers & men of the 13th La Vols... displayed the best qualities as soldiers. It is difficult for troops to stand firm against great odds, under a…

GLC00026

January 11, 1863

Austin, John E., fl. 1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to H. H. Bun

Major Austin, Commander of Austin's Battalion Sharp Shooters (Confederate), discusses the Battle of Stones River, or Murfreesboro, with Bun, an acting assistant adjutant general. Mentions fighting with Breckinridge's Division (led by General John Cabell Breckinridge). Refers to receiving orders from General Daniel Weisiger Adams. Relates details of the battle, including flanking the enemy, based on the orders of Colonel Randall Lee Gibson, Colonel of the 13th Louisiana Volunteers. After forming position, he "opened fire upon the enemy who was about 40 paces of us- this staggered him a little…

GLC00027

1863

United States. Congress

Book

Title: Report of the Secretary of War, communicating, In answer to a resolution of the Senate of the 10th instant, a copy of Major General Rosecrans's report of the Battle of Murfreesboro', or Stone River, Tennessee.

Cover is missing. Contains a report transmitted to the Senate by Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War, concerning the Battle of Stones River, or Murfreesboro. Comprises the full report of the battle, issued by General William Starke Rosecrans. Among other topics, contains reports of the Chief of Artillery, the chief quartermaster, and the chief commissary of subsistence; a list of officers who distinguished themselves during the battle; fold-out battle field maps; a report on flags captured during battle, and a percentage of losses in brigades, division, and corps.

GLC00267.330

7 November 1863

Long, Eli, 1837-1903

Autograph letter signed

Title: [Statement of the military service of Colonel Long]

Written when Long commanded the 2nd brigade, 2nd division of Cavalry, Army of the Cumberland. Documents Long's service, beginning with his graduation from the Kentucky Military Institute in 1855. Notes his pre-war service, and a post at Fort Riley, Kansas. Remarks, "In my service in the west I think I can safely say that I did as hard duty and as much of it as any Officer of my Regiment." Went to Kentucky for service in February 1862. Mentions Generals Buell, Rosecrans, Stanley, and Crook, among others. Cites the battles of Corinth, Perryville, Chaplin Hill, and Murfreesboro. Writes, "…

GLC01901

December 1, 1862

Hardee, William J., 1815-1873

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John A. Wharton

Discusses military matters. Wishes to know the strength of the army Wharton is fighting, says he cannot send General Wood's forces far away, and says his men will soon be prepared to fight. Address page contains a penciled endorsement signed by Wharton, sent to Wood, saying he is preparing to attack the enemy. Written shortly before the Battle of Murfreesboro and the Stones River Campaign.

GLC02213

29 December 1862

Meister, C., fl. 1862

Map signed

Title: [Manuscript Civil War map of Murfreesboro, Tennessee]

Shows Murfreesboro and the areas north and west of it, along with names of property owners. Drawn shortly before the Battle of Stones River (Murfreesboro), providing evidence that General Braxton Bragg originally planned to attack the Union forces from the left (the area north of Murfreesboro), but changed his mind on 30 December and attacked from the right the following day. Meister was assistant engineer and draftsman serving under Bragg. Accompanied by blank paper leaf.

GLC02588

3 January 1863

Greeley, Horace, 1811-1872

Newspaper

Title: New-York daily tribune. [Vol. 22, no. 6786 (January 3, 1863)]

Prints the Emancipation proclamation on page four. This is among the early printings of the Proclamation in a newspaper. Other news includes the Battle of Murfreesboro with map, attack on Vicksburg, and other Civil War news. Includes article on U.S. relations with Mexico.

GLC08748.03

6 January 1863

Newspaper

Title: New York semi-weekly tribune. [Vol. 18, no. 1838 ( January 6, 1863)]

Murfreesboro

GLC08429.14

1891

Kurz & Allison

Print

Title: Battle of Stones River

Published by Kurz & Allison at 76 & 78 Wabash Avenue in Chicago. Full title is: "Battle of Stone River. Near Murfreesborough, Tenn." Seems to have been partially hand colored. Depicts Major General William S. Rosencrans on a black horse directing the battle on the left side of the image. Shows the Confederates attacking Union soldiers, who are on slightly higher ground. This is before the Union troops were pushed back across the Stone River. Fighting is taking place in the background beyond the river, mostly by calvary and artillery. Railroad tracks run parallel to the river.…

GLC00249.02

January 11, 1863

Wood, Sterling Alexander Martin, 1823-1891

Document signed

Title: [Report on the Battle of Murfreesboro, or Stone's River]

Written from the Headquarters of Wood's Brigade, General Patrick Ronayne Cleburne's Division, Army of Tennessee (Confederate). Brigadier General Wood directs this report to Captain Irving A. Buck, Cleburne's assistant adjutant-general. Discusses the battle in detail, naming generals present, mentioning troop movement and position, and citing weapons and tactics used. Relates "In conclusion, the Brigade Commander Expresses the opinion that in this battle the 1100 men he took into action vindicated by their blood the determination of our people to conquer their freedom or die in the struggle…

GLC00784

January 22, 1863

Wheeler, Joseph, 1836-1906

Broadside

Title: [Confederate circular regarding discipline issued after the Battle of Stones River]

Docket (in pencil) indicates that this was Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest's copy. Issued from the headquarters of the cavalry by E. S. Burford, Assistant Adjutant General, based on Wheeler's orders. Deplores the discipline of regimental and company commanders: "The disgraceful state of discipline which exists in certain portions of this command, has rendered them worse than useless appendages to the Brigade. Companies muster for duty not more than one-fourth or one-fifth their strength, and, even than, are allowed to scatter so as to be of but little or no use to the command.…

GLC00823

January 13, 1863

Cook, Gustave, 1835-1897

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eliza Cook

Gustave has been wounded and his letter is written by the chaplain. His horse was shot and subsequently fell probably during the Battle of Stone's River. Says the fall "caused the blood to gush from my mouth and nose and made me a little [more foolish] than common for a few minutes but I was on my feet again directly." Campaign and camp news.

GLC02570.37

1863

Middleton, Strobidge, & Co., fl. 1863

Print

Title: The Battle for Stone River or Murfreesboro

Civil War lithograph "representing Gen. Palmer's Division, Col. Scribner's and Col. John Beatty's Brigades and the Regular Brigade, on the 31st of December, 1862; as seen from the position of the 15th and 19th Regulars while supporting Guenther's and Loomis' Batteries." Alfred E. Matthews, the artist, was a musician in the "31st Regiment, O.V.I." Contains a detailed description of the battle and its participants in small print. Text is slightly faded.

GLC08442.10

16 December 1862

Parrott, John A., fl. 1861-1877

Autograph letter signed

Title: to sister

He is happy to hear that she is feeling better. The "rebels have a large force at Murfreesboro" and his regiment will likely move there. He was nearly killed supporting a battery of artillery in a fight that lasted over four hours.

GLC03858.01.11

January 15, 1863

Parrott, John A., fl. 1861-1877

Autograph letter signed

Title: to sister

John describes the Battle of Murfreesboro, reassuring his sister that he and Henry were unhurt. "[T]he battle lasted 4 ½ days…my company were on picket when the fight commenced and 16 of them were taken prisoners…."

GLC03858.01.12

January 16, 1863

Parrott, John A., fl. 1861-1877

Autograph letter signed

Title: to sister

He "lost nearly all my company in the fight…I have been engaged in looking up their friends and let[t]ing them know what has become of them." He is not well but will stay with the army as long as he can for he thinks "it is going to take every man we can raise to put this rebel[l]ion down." Henry is well and they see each other often.

GLC03858.01.13