The Most Terrible Cannonading: Artillery's Psychological Impact at the Battle of Stones River

Cannons could impact hearts and minds nearly as powerfully as bodies in the midst of a battle. That was certainly true at the Battle of Stones River where U.S. artillery changed the course of the fight. Following a morning of training join our park rangers and volunteer......More

Cannons could impact hearts and minds nearly as powerfully as bodies in the midst of a battle. That was certainly true at the Battle of Stones River where U.S. artillery changed the course of the fight. Following a morning of training join our park rangers and volunteers for programs that explore the psychological effects of the big guns as they turned the tide setting the Battle of Stones River on course to becoming one of the Civil War's most important Union victories. Programs will be offered at 1 PM 2 PM & 3 PM and feature cannon firing demonstrations.

Stones River National Cemetery Memorial Day Flag Placement Event

 Registration RequiredScouting and other youth organizations from middle Tennessee will place American flags on more than 7,000 graves in Stones River National Cemetery. Volunteers will park in the overflow parking area near the visitor center and check-in near the walk......More

 Registration RequiredScouting and other youth organizations from middle Tennessee will place American flags on more than 7,000 graves in Stones River National Cemetery. Volunteers will park in the overflow parking area near the visitor center and check-in near the walk-in entrance to Stones River National Cemetery. No volunteer parking in the cemetery.Volunteers must register at https://forms.office.com/g/Xx2VAU436x by Wednesday May 21st. You will receive a confirmation email with your section assignment and additional check-in details.Volunteers should plan on arriving by 9:30 AM to ensure they have adequate time to check-in before the event begins. Volunteers will confirm their section assignments and receive flags at check-in.Volunteer groups may pre-register for a commemorative patch through the Middle Tennessee Council - Boy Scouts of America.

Memorial Day Program

Visitors are invited to gather at the national cemetery rostrum to remember the sacrifices of soldiers, past and present. The event will include patriotic music, a wreath laying ceremony and a a three-volley salute presented by the Ninth Kentucky Infantry, US. Park in ......More

Visitors are invited to gather at the national cemetery rostrum to remember the sacrifices of soldiers, past and present. The event will include patriotic music, a wreath laying ceremony and a a three-volley salute presented by the Ninth Kentucky Infantry, US. Park in the visitor center and recreational/overflow parking lots.

Stones River National Cemetery

Stones River National Cemetery Memorial Day Flag Pick-Up

 Registration RequiredHelp us remove American flags from more than 7,000 graves in Stones River National Cemetery and store them so we are ready for next year. Volunteers will park in the overflow parking area near the visitor center and check-in near the walk-in entran......More

 Registration RequiredHelp us remove American flags from more than 7,000 graves in Stones River National Cemetery and store them so we are ready for next year. Volunteers will park in the overflow parking area near the visitor center and check-in near the walk-in entrance to Stones River National Cemetery. No volunteer parking in the cemetery.Volunteers must register at https://forms.office.com/g/6ceuvBC1sP by Monday May 26th at noon. Plan on arriving by 9:30 AM to ensure they have adequate time to check-in before the event begins. 

Battlefield Caravan Tour

Meet the ranger at the flagpole in front of the visitor center.Follow a ranger in your car for a tour of the battlefield. The group will make several stops at key battle locations, and the ranger will tell the tale of one of the most important Union victories of the Civ......More

Meet the ranger at the flagpole in front of the visitor center.Follow a ranger in your car for a tour of the battlefield. The group will make several stops at key battle locations, and the ranger will tell the tale of one of the most important Union victories of the Civil War. (90 minutes) 

Charles Bennett's Civil War in Murfreesboro

On July 13 1862 Sergeant Charles Wilkes Bennett arose early and began walking through the camp of the Ninth Michigan Infantry in front of Oaklands the Maney family's home. He heard shots ring out in the darkness followed by the thundering roll of galloping horses. Momen......More

On July 13 1862 Sergeant Charles Wilkes Bennett arose early and began walking through the camp of the Ninth Michigan Infantry in front of Oaklands the Maney family's home. He heard shots ring out in the darkness followed by the thundering roll of galloping horses. Moments later Bennett an his men were fighting for their lives in the first Battle of Murfreesboro.That fight was not the last Civil War experience Bennett had that involved this little town in the middle of Tennessee. He and the Ninth Michigan returned in December 1862 to fight in the Battle of Stones River. Less than a year after that Bennett returned to middle Tennessee to serve as a Captain in the Thirteenth United States Colored Infantry which began its organization in Murfreesboro.Listen as a ranger examines Charles Bennett's Murfreesboro experiences and their place in some of the most transformational outcomes of the Civil War. Programs will be accompanied by musket firing demonstrations. Programs will take place at 1 2 & 3 PM.

Battlefield Caravan Tour

Meet the ranger at the flagpole in front of the visitor center.Follow a ranger in your car for a tour of the battlefield. The group will make several stops at key battle locations, and the ranger will tell the tale of one of the most important Union victories of the Civ......More

Meet the ranger at the flagpole in front of the visitor center.Follow a ranger in your car for a tour of the battlefield. The group will make several stops at key battle locations, and the ranger will tell the tale of one of the most important Union victories of the Civil War. (90 minutes) 

Hallowed Ground: A Lantern Tour of Stones River National Cemetery

Join a park ranger for an hour-long walk by lantern light through Stones River National Cemetery. Visitors will get a chance to appreciate the human stories within the cemetery by listening to soldiers and civilians share their experiences through the letters they wrote......More

Join a park ranger for an hour-long walk by lantern light through Stones River National Cemetery. Visitors will get a chance to appreciate the human stories within the cemetery by listening to soldiers and civilians share their experiences through the letters they wrote and received during the conflict. Reservations are required. Reservations can be made at https://forms.office.com/g/Vm7EJZSZbr starting at 10 AM on Saturday May 31, 2025. No walk-ons are permitted. Cancellations must be made by calling 615-893-9501 by 10 AM on the day of the program. Reservations are not transferable. This program is not recommended for children under 10 years of age nor is it accessible for strollers or wheelchairs. Pets are not permitted.

Battlefield Caravan Tour

Meet the ranger at the flagpole in front of the visitor center.Follow a ranger in your car for a tour of the battlefield. The group will make several stops at key battle locations, and the ranger will tell the tale of one of the most important Union victories of the Civ......More

Meet the ranger at the flagpole in front of the visitor center.Follow a ranger in your car for a tour of the battlefield. The group will make several stops at key battle locations, and the ranger will tell the tale of one of the most important Union victories of the Civil War. (90 minutes) 

Battlefield Caravan Tour

Meet the ranger at the flagpole in front of the visitor center.Follow a ranger in your car for a tour of the battlefield. The group will make several stops at key battle locations, and the ranger will tell the tale of one of the most important Union victories of the Civ......More

Meet the ranger at the flagpole in front of the visitor center.Follow a ranger in your car for a tour of the battlefield. The group will make several stops at key battle locations, and the ranger will tell the tale of one of the most important Union victories of the Civil War. (90 minutes)