The Battle of Stones River: Day One

The first day of the Battle of Stones River was fought on December 31, 1862. Of the major battles fought during the Civil War, Stones River had the highest kill rate of any of them. It was a very indecisive battle, but Union morale was boosted. A few months earlier the North had suffered a severe defeat at Fredericksburg. The Battle of Stones River was a shot at redemption for the North.

During the early morning hours of December 31 General William Hardee attacked the Union right flank first. Nearly 10,000 Confederates hit that right flank like a rolling tide hitting the beach. The first Union division the Confederates hit was led by General Richard Johnson. His men were so surprised by the attack that many were still eating breakfast at the time. However, once Confederate forces converged on them, the great majority turned and ran. This left a huge gap in the Union army. Luckily reserve forces had started to move up and they were able to fill the void left by Johnson’s division. The Union right flank was truly rolled up and Union forces suffered nearly 50% casualties just on that flank.

Hardee was able to continue to push deep into the Unions right flank, however, the attack was slowed by 10 a.m.. By then a second Confederate wave led by General Leonidas Polk was poised to attack. The only thing that saved the Union army from total destruction was General Phillip Sheridan. Sheridan was able to anticipate a Confederate attack on the Union center and was able to mass troops in that area. The Confederates attacked center three separate times, but were repulsed each time. The Union center held, but at a high price. All three of Sheridan’s Brigade Commanders were killed and nearly 3,000 of his troops were killed, wounded , or missing.

By 11 a.m. Sheridan’s men had begun to run low on ammo and had to fall back. When they fell back they left a gap in the federal line. Hardee exploited the situation and attacked the center. However, Union reinforcements and massed artillery stopped the advance.

At 4 p.m. General Braxton Bragg ordered an attack on the Union left. The first attack was repulsed, but Confederate forces regrouped and attacked a second time. This attack was also repulsed and they suffered severe casualties during the attack.

By nightfall the battlefield was littered with bodies. The only thing that could be heard were the screams of the dying and wounded. Many Confederate commanders believed they had won the day, but they had suffered pretty heavy casualties. The three attacks on each flank and center cost the Confederates nearly 9,000 men. A high price for a victory, but the fighting was not over yet.