Changes

Chalmers’ attack was followed by General [[Daniel Donelson]]’s Brigade as General Bragg sought to tie up Rosecrans’ reserves pressing the Union left. Donelson’s men crashed through Cruft’s Brigade south of the pike. Hazen’s men held firm to the north and Union reinforcements were able to seal the breach.

Chalmers’ attack was followed by General [[Daniel Donelson]]’s Brigade as General Bragg sought to tie up Rosecrans’ reserves pressing the Union left. Donelson’s men crashed through Cruft’s Brigade south of the pike. Hazen’s men held firm to the north and Union reinforcements were able to seal the breach.

During the afternoon of December 31st, Bragg called on General Breckinridge’s troops to hammer the anchor point of the Union line guarding the Nashville Pike. Two brigades went in first suffering the same fate as those that went before. Two more of Breckinridge’s Brigades made a final assault as daylight began to fail. Hazen’s men, reinforced now by Harker’s Brigade, clung to their positions.

During the afternoon of December 31, Bragg called on General Breckinridge’s troops to hammer the anchor point of the Union line guarding the Nashville Pike. Two brigades went in first suffering the same fate as those that went before. Two more of Breckinridge’s Brigades made a final assault as daylight began to fail. Hazen’s men, reinforced now by Harker’s Brigade, clung to their positions.

The carnage as described by J. Morgan Smith of the Thirty-second Alabama Infantry prompted soldiers to name the field Hell’s Half Acre.

The carnage as described by J. Morgan Smith of the Thirty-second Alabama Infantry prompted soldiers to name the field Hell’s Half Acre.

[[Image:Stones River Jan2 1600.png|thumb|right|150px|January 2, 4 pm]]

[[Image:Stones River Jan2 1600.png|thumb|right|150px|January 2, 4 pm]]

[[Image:Stones River Jan2 1645.png|thumb|right|150px|January 2, 4:45 pm]]

[[Image:Stones River Jan2 1645.png|thumb|right|150px|January 2, 4:45 pm]]

After spending January 1, 1863 reorganizing and caring for the wounded, the two armies came to blows again on the afternoon of January 2nd. General Bragg ordered Breckinridge to attack General [[Horatio Van Cleve]]’s Division (commanded by Colonel Samuel Beatty) occupying a hill overlooking McFadden’s Ford on the east side of the river.

After spending January 1, 1863 reorganizing and caring for the wounded, the two armies came to blows again on the afternoon of January 2. General Bragg ordered Breckinridge to attack General [[Horatio Van Cleve]]’s Division (commanded by Colonel Samuel Beatty) occupying a hill overlooking McFadden’s Ford on the east side of the river.

Breckinridge reluctantly launched the attack with all five of his brigades at 4 PM. The Confederate charge quickly took the hill and continued on pushing towards the ford. As the Confederates attacked, they came within range of fifty-seven Union cannon massed on the west side of the Stones River. General Crittenden watched as his guns went to work.

Breckinridge reluctantly launched the attack with all five of his brigades at 4 PM. The Confederate charge quickly took the hill and continued on pushing towards the ford. As the Confederates attacked, they came within range of fifty-seven Union cannon massed on the west side of the Stones River. General Crittenden watched as his guns went to work.

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<ref> [[Civil War: Battles and Leaders]], edited by Aaron R. Murray, DK Publishing, Inc., 2004, p. 46. </ref>  

<ref>[[Civil War: Battles and Leaders]], edited by Aaron R. Murray, DK Publishing, Inc., 2004, p. 46.</ref>  

==Aftermath==

==Aftermath==

(615) 893-9508

(615) 893-9508

==See Also==

==See also==

*[[American Civil War: 1862]]

*[[American Civil War: 1862]]

*[[American Civil War: 1863]]

*[[American Civil War: 1863]]

==References==

==References==

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==Links==

==Links==

*[http://www.nps.gov/stri/historyculture/troopmaps.htm Original troop movement maps]

*[http://www.nps.gov/stri/historyculture/troopmaps.htm Original troop movement maps]

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{{ACW Battles of 1862}}

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{{Copyright Details (US Government)}}

[[Category:American Civil War Battles]]

[[Category:American Civil War Battles]]

[[Category:Tennessee]]

[[Category:Tennessee]]