Paintings on the Stones River battlefield markers

In a previous post I mentioned the paintings on the markers at the Stones River battlefield.  I couldn't find the artist's name so I e-mailed the park and after a few days had a response!  The artist is Andy Thomas and the paintings were commissioned specifically for the park. You can view his website here.  Now to find out where I can buy a print!

Stones River National Cemetery

Adjacent to the Stones River battlefield is the Stones River National Cemetery, final resting place to 6,850 soldiers.

Click to enlarge if you'd like to read the marker explaining the history of the cemetery.

Position of Loomis' Battery, 1st Michigan Light Artillery, during the battle.  They were engaged on December 31st, 1862, and January 2nd 1863.

Pvt Henry B. King, Co. F, 3rd Kentucky Infantry (US)

Pvt William H. Simmons, Co. A, 4th Tennessee Cavalry (US)

Pvt William R. Breedlove, Co. H, 82nd Indiana Infantry

Pvt David Martin, Co. A, 10th Ohio Cavalry

Sgt John Martin, Co. D, 4th Ohio Cavalry

Pvt Clay C. Martin, Co. B, 21st Ohio Infantry

Unknown soldier marker.

Cpl Joseph Martin, Co. K, 6th Ohio Infantry

Grave marker for 7 unknown soldiers.

Grave marker for 3 unknown soldiers.

I'm thankful for a patient wife, who walks countless cemeteries with me, but far more thankful for the hero's buried there. 

Stones River Battlefield. Part 2: The Battlefield

After visiting the museum, we did the driving tour of the battlefield, and stopped and walked around at several locations.  The battlefield itself is huge and would take a couple of days to see on foot.  I took a lot of pictures and I'll just post a few here to give a sense of the battlefield.  Above is the Chicago Board of Trade Battery.

My favorite thing at the battlefield were the paintings on all of the battlefield markers.  If anyone has any more info on these I would be interested to know.  Please comment or send me an e-mail. 

View from the Union defenders position on the first day of the battle (December 31st, 1862) as they rally and stem the tide of advancing Confederates.

Closeup of the painting.

Position of Batteries H and M, 4th Regiment, United States Artillery (Regular Army) on December 31st, 1862.

Marker for "The Slaughter Pen".

It was a little intimidating to walk through the rocks of the slaughter pen, knowing that it was on this difficult ground that such a violent struggle took place.

Here Sheridan's Division stood when the rest of the army fled, and held it with heavy losses while Rosecrans could rally his disordered command.

As a bit of an Orphan Brigade connoisseur, I was extremely excited to see the site of their heroic charge from the 3rd day of the battle (January 2nd, 1863).

I would love to get a print of this painting!

Under horrific fire, the Confederate attackers had to cross the Stones River...

...and climb the rocky banks.

Once across the river, the orphans were faced by massed artillery just beyond those trees.

On this hill stood 57 Union guns.

Stones River Battlefield. Part 1: The Museum

The obligatory picture of myself, to prove I was there... This was not my favorite battlefield museum, but there were some great pieces and several that were connected to specific individuals, which added to their interest a great deal.

 Private Sylvester N. Winchester carried this fife into battle and was killed on the first day.

The picture does not do this diorama any justice.  It is a great blend between the painted background, the miniatures, lights, and sound effects.

There are a lot of "dug" artillery projectiles...

The wax soldiers were quite scary... as were the tourists!

...And now for something completely different. There was a random pile of shoes in one corner with no marker at all. I'm not sure what it was for but for a Civil War nerd such as myself it was as entertaining as the most well planned exhibit.

I REALLY wanted to get some good detail pictures of this, but due to an extremely old and cheap camera, poor lighting, and a bumbling photographer (I shouldn't have let my wife hold the camera) these are the best I got.  

It's so incredible to be able to see these kinds of things up close.

This was an especially moving piece, a letter to Mrs. Hall in regards to her sons death:

Manchester, Tenn. Feb. 9th, 1863

Dear Mrs. Hall.

As an opportunity offers itself to send a letter through to you. I conclude to write you feeling it a duty to give you information in regard to Henry, who you have doubtless been informed met his fate on the field of Murfreesboro.

He was killed almost instantly by a cannon ball passing through both thighs, severing his legs from his body, on Friday the 2nd of January. It being almost dark and us being compelled to retire from the field, I am sorry to say his body fell in the hands of the enemy. I did not see him myself after he was killed, we was separated during the battle.

I heard he was killed before the battle was over and tried to recover his body, but could not find it. I was very much grieved to leave him on the field, but under the circumstances it could not be otherwise. Henry and myself have associated together for several years and I always found in him a kind and faithful friend.

You can imagine, Mrs. Hall, how much I am grieved for him, but we should not morn now he is dead. The hand of God has cut him down, and I hope, taken his soul from this world of sorrow to Himself above, where he may enjoy eternal bliss.

You must not grieve for Henry, but only think of the thousands of mothers in your condition made so by the implacable enemy who seeks to destroy our liberty and enslave us. Your son died a martyr, nobly laying down his life for his country. He was a good boy and a good soldier. He will ever live in the memory of his comrades, whose fortunes it may be to survive this bloody war.

I will close as I believe I have written all of which I know of the subject, painful as it is for me to speak or even think of. Virgil was wounded slightly, but has recovered entirely and is in good health.

From Yours Truly

H.F. Nuckols 4th KY

Another sad letter on display:

January 14, 1863

Mrs. Lieutenant Nix,

It becomes my sad duty to inform you of the death of your husband and our much esteemed friend and comrade. He fell on the 31st of December while repelling an attack of Rebel forces and died like a true soldier doing his duty to his country.

He was shot through the body and was taken to our Hospital which was soon after, taken by the enemy, who held it until the evacuation of Murfreesboro. He died on the 5th or 6th and was buried by Lieutenant Chase of our company with military honors.

I have his effects in my possession and shall forward them to you the first opportunity. I have his revolver, sword and money and other things belonging to him. You have lost your best friend of Earth, and we deeply feel with you in this sad bereavement, for we too have lost an Esteemed Friend and true soldier.

He did his duty up to the time he fell and was loved, and his true Qualities were appreciated by all that knew him. His name and his deeds will always be held in sacred remembers by me and the members under my commend.

Yours Respectfully,

Captain A. Philbrook

(The museum also has his sword, but I failed to get a clear picture of it)

Lieutenant Christian Nix's headstone from his initial burial on the battlefield. He was part of the 24th Wisconsin.

More artillery shells... these were found inside the Hazen Brigade monument in 1985.

This was an interesting piece: The Medal of Honor earned by Private Joseph R. Prentice. He received this award for a brave attempt to save his commanding officer's life. He was one of twelve men to earn the Medal of Honor at the Battle of Stones River.