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Skirmish at Bradyville – Union forces under Gen. Stanley defeat a portion of John Morgan’s division, taking 70 prisoners, including 8 officers, their camp equipage, tents, 300 new saddles, 70 horses, and Basil Duke’s regimental papers.
A report from Nashville mentions that 26 buildings are used throughout the city as hospitals for sick and wounded soldiers.
> Letter, 36th Illinois soldier writes post-Murfreesboro action
Skirmishes near Auburn, Cainsville, and Nolensville; skirmishing at Nashville and Clarksville. The Army of the Cumberland, now based in Murfreesboro, issues orders on how African Americans can be employed – as teamsters and laborers in Quartermasters’ departments; as cooks, nurses, and hospital attendants; as company cooks and officers’ servants.
Skirmishes near Auburn, Cainsville, and Nolensville; skirmishing at Nashville and Clarksville. The Army of the Cumberland, now based in Murfreesboro, issues orders on how African Americans can be employed – as teamsters and laborers in Quartermasters’ departments; as cooks, nurses, and hospital attendants; as company cooks and officers’ servants.
Skirmish at Rover. Skirmishes continue at Harper’s Ferry, and at bridges and railroads throughout the South. Troops continue to gather near Vicksburg.
Forrest fights at Parker’s Crossroads/Red Mound trying to break through a Federal line after successful raids on Grant’s supply lines and communications. As he begins to drive the Union troops back, he is attacked from behind by Gen. Jeremiah Sullivan. Surrounded, Forrest fights his way out and escapes, but loses nearly 300 men.
Battle of Murfreesboro (Stones River) begins. Bragg’s army pushes Federals back to the Nashville Turnpike. Skirmish at Overall’s Creek.
“This has been a most eventful day. At daylight this morning very heavy cannonading was heard in the direction of Murfreesboro…. About 1 P.M. it was less frequent and seemed fainter—could it be that our [gallant] fellows were driving the Vandal before them?… Darlin’ [her pet name for her husband John] went into town [McMinnville] and came home about 11 o’clock with glorious news…. [Our troops] had whipped the enemy—loss heavy on both sides…. I could scarcely keep from crying for joy when Darlin’ told me the news…. I could not sleep for thinking of the poor fellows who were lying on the battlefield— some cold in death —others shivering with cold and writhing in pain…. [But] who was there with a warm glance to cheer their last agonizing hours?… The surgeons are busy tonight—the little city of Murfreesboro is full of the wounded. God help them!” [Lucy Virginia French, journal]
Rosecrans moves toward Murfreesboro; C.S. General Joseph Wheeler makes a raid against Rosecrans at Nolensville, going completely around the Federal Army; skirmishes at Jefferson and Rock Spring; capture of Union, Tennessee; destruction of Watauga Bridge.
CSA captures 600 U.S. troops, 450-500 wagons, hundreds of mules near LaVergne.
December 29
Nathan Bedford Forrest arrives at Parker’s Crossroads and sets up camp; Military Governor Andrew Johnson shuts down Nashville newspapers; U.S. Brigadier General Samuel Carter raids East Tennessee, destroying railroad bridges at Zollicoffer and Carter’s Depot; skirmishes at Lizzards and Wilkinson’s Cross-Roads.
December 29-30
Skirmishes at and near Murfreesboro.
Skirmish at Perkins Mill on Elk Fork.
“We had to be ‘Santa Claus’ ourselves this season for cakes, apples, a little candy, and some picture books were all that could be procured for the children. We had to tell them Santa Claus could not get thro’ the pickets—Jessie wanted to know why ‘the old fellow couldn’t go to his Quartermaster and get him a pass?’ They seemed to enjoy their Christmas quite as well as usual however, notwith- standing that Santa Claus was blockaded.”
Skirmishes at Stewart’s Creek Bridge on Murfreesboro Pike, and at Triune (65 U.S. killed); Forrest moves on McKenzie, learns of Federal pursuit.
Series of skirmishes at and near LaVergne.
TN State Archives
Tennessee in the Civil War 