A 600-acre national battlefield and cemetery protects the hallowed ground where Confederate and Union forces faced off against each other beginning before dawn on December 31, 1862. It is one of Tennessee’s few major battle sites during the American Civil War.
When the battle ended, nearly 100,000 had joined the fight, leaving over 23,000 casualties. It ranks as one of the bloodiest battles of the War. Today, except for the 6,000 graves that still remain, there are few reminders of such a terrible battle - you can peacefully stroll through fields of rolling cotton and not imagine the “slaughter pen,” as it became known. Soldiers at the time described a portion of the battlefield’s human carnage as so gruesome that it resembled the Chicago cattle stockyards of the day.
At the Stones River National Battlefield there is a 10,000 square foot visitor’s center, museum and movie hall. The center’s 10-minute movie provides a great overview of the Battle of Stones River and information on the entire park.
Details: 3501 Old Nashville Highway, Murfreesboro, TN. 37129. Phone: 615.893.9501. Visitor Center open all year from 8-5 CT. There is no admission charge. Website: www:nps.gov/sti/.
Don F. Pratt Museum at Ft. Campbell
Although Ft. Campbell's mailing address is Kentucky, the folks in Middle Tennessee claim it as its own. The sprawling military base covers both sides of the Tennessee-Kentucky border and the museum is a must for anyone who is visiting Middle Tennessee.
The purpose of the museum is to “capture the history and heritage of Ft. Campbell for its current soldiers…and to tell the story of army values.” With aircraft, armor, artillery from WW II to the current battlefield, as well as life sized dioramas depicting various important moments in the history of the 101st Airborne, there is plenty to see. There are both inside and outside exhibits, including many helicopters, and even aircraft such as an A-10. Inside you will find a CG-4A WACO glider, made famous in the D-Day invasion, various artillery pieces, captured weapons and artifacts and a helicopter suspended from the ceiling bearing the insignia of TF160 – the elite army counter terrorist force.
Details: Building 5702, Tennessee Avenue, Fort Campbell, Kentucky; 42223. Phone: 270.798.4986. No admission charge, military ID not required to enter the museum, but the general public must enter the base at gate 4. Call the base to confirm public access is still available for persons without a military ID because worldwide security issues might close public access periodically. Hours: 9:30-4:30, Monday-Saturday; closed Sundays. Website: http://www.campbell.army.mil/pratt/
Carter House (Battle of Franklin)
Surrounded today by downtown Franklin, this home built in 1830, witnessed the bloody battle of Franklin up close and personal – as evidenced by its more than 1,000 still remaining bullet holes on its brick walls.
