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(3-95) 1995 Battlefield Tour Stop 4 (Sheridan's
Stand, 10 a.m., Dec 31, 1862), south view from tour stop parking area. 1995 Tour Guide: Near
here, the men of Gen. Philip H. Sheridan and Maj. Gen. George H. Thomas
warded off determined Confederate assaults. In an attempt to crack the
Union line at this point the Confederates wheeled up their guns to within
183 meters (200 yards) of Sheridan's position, but attack after attack
still failed with costly losses to both sides. Eventually, however,
Sheridan abandoned his position. His delaying action during the withdrawal
had given Union troops time to form a new line along the Nashville Pike. Site
Marker: Dec. 31, 1862, 10 a.m. - noon. Despite stiffening Union
resistance, the Confederate tide swept on. The Federals made stand after
stand, only to give ground again. Take this short trail to a Union
position among the woods and rock outcroppings |
(3-95) 1995 Battlefield Tour Stop
4 (Sheridan's Stand, 10 a.m., Dec 31, 1862). Site Marker: Abandoned Artillery.
These two Wiard rifled cannon represent two of the four guns lost by Lt.
Alexander Marshall of Battery G 1st Ohio Light Artillery (originally two 12
pdr. howitzers, two 12 pdr. Wiard rifles, and two six pdr. Wiard rifles).
These guns valiantly but vainly tried to check the Confederate advance by
firing repeated charges of canister then retreating "by prolonge"
to fire again. The guns were abandoned when most of the horses were killed
and the Confederates were but 40 yards from the guns. In this area 14 Union
cannon were lost to the Confederates by Sheridan and Negley's Divisions. Site
Marker: Friend and Foe: The Limestone Outcroppings. These rocks became
natural rifle pits for the Union soldiers defending this ground, sheltering
them while projectiles screamed and Minie balls ricocheted. But in retreat,
the Federals found that the rough rocks trapped, tripped and cut. Cracks and
crevasses caught limber and cannon carriage wheels. Excited teams were cut
loose, the valuable artillery abandoned |
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(3-95) 1995 Battlefield Tour Stop 5 (Confederate Advance, 8 a.m. - 11 a.m., Dec 31, 1862). 1995 Tour Guide: Union troops of Gen. Thomas L. Crittenden's command held this part of the line against Confederate attacks during the early morning. At 10 a.m. Confederate forces from Tennessee under Gen. Daniel S. Donelson advanced and forced them back into the woods here. Crittenden's men became intermingled with retreating forces from the units of Sheridan and Thomas, making an orderly withdrawal impossible. The Union troops rallied along the Nashville Pike while Confederates advanced through the cedars. Site Marker: Confederate High Tide on December 31, 1862. The Confederate assault hit General Thomas L. Crittenden's Union troops as the men were preparing breakfast. A series of desperate charges carried the Confederates to the cedars. When the fighting ended on the last day of 1862, Confederate breastworks ran along a line from here to Tour Stop #2, The Fight for the Cedars |
(3-95) 1995 Battlefield Tour Stop 6 (Rosecrans Established A New Line, 5 p.m., Dec 31, 1862), north view toward Nashville Pike. 1995 Tour Guide: When attacking Confederates saw the new Union battle-line drawn along the Nashville Pike and into the Round Forest, they fell back into the cedars. As long as the Federals clung to the Round Forest, the Confederates could not gain victory. Site Marker: Confederate Sweep Stopped By New Union Line, December 31, 1862. 1. General Polk's corps pushed the Federals from the fields two miles south of here and thought the worst was over 2. The Confederates rushed on, plowing to an unexpected halt before the strong resistance of General Sheridan's men. After hours of hard fighting , the Confederates gained this position 3. Surging on, the Confederates beat their way through the thickets to the edge of the woods, where they halted, regrouped and proceeded to charge 4. The charge was stopped short. Through the smoke the Southerners could see the formidable Union line along the Nashville Pike extending into the Round Forest 5. Across this field you see the Round Forest-the stronghold that kept victory just beyond the grasp of the struggling Confederates. The Hazen Brigade Monument is located there. Visit it as you continue your tour |
