Stones River National Battlefield

06/19/2026

Juneteenth has special meaning at Stones River National Battlefield! The primary reason 81,000 soldiers found themselves caught in one of the bloodiest battles of our Civil War on December 31, 1862, was President Abraham Lincoln's desire for military success prior to Emancipation Proclamation taking effect on January 1, 1863. Although the U.S. victory came a few days late, it still proved to be the victory Lincoln wanted and set the war on course to go beyond simply restoring the nation and become a conflict that brought our nation closer to meeting the promise made during our nation's founding, "That all men are created equal."

We look forward to celebrating Juneteenth and sharing our connection with our neighbors at Murfreesboro's Juneteenth Celebration presented by Cultural Arts Murfreesboro and Bradley Academy Museum and Cultural Center - Murfreesboro.

Juneteenth is one of the oldest commemorations of the end of slavery in the United States. It marks June 19, 1865, when Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, and issued General Order No. 3, enforcing the Emancipation Proclamation at the end of the Civil War.

Within the National Park Service, Juneteenth helps connect this history to places and stories preserved across the National Park System that interpret emancipation, Reconstruction, and the broader struggle for civil rights.

Learn more about the history of Juneteenth at: https://www.nps.gov/articles/juneteenth-origins.htm

Image: The African American Civil War Memorial in Washington, D.C.

06/17/2026

Stories of Service and Sacrifice

Leander D. Tillman was born in 1839 in Guernsey County, Ohio. He served as a Corporal in Company A of the 3rd Ohio Infantry. The Third Ohio Infantry was mustered on June 4, 1861, and were stationed in West Virginia, Kentucky, and Tennessee while Tillman served with them. They also participated in the advances made on Nashville and Murfreesboro. Tillman passed away on April 24, 1862, while hospitalized, most likely in Murfreesboro.

He is buried at Stones River National Cemetery in plot D-1655. His headstone reads, "In memory of Leander D. Tillman. Pri. Comp. A 3 O.V.I. Born in Guernsey Co. Ohio Died Ap. 25, 1862 Aged 23. yrs."

You can read more about Tillman and other stories spanning more than 160 years of service to our nation and its ideals at go.nps.gov/sacrifice.

Stories of Service and Sacrifice is an initiative remembering at least 250 individuals buried at Stones River National Cemetery and their contributions to our nation’s 250-year story.

06/16/2026

Stories of Service and Sacrifice

George D Osborne was born on March 18, 1948, and lived in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. He was a Sergeant in the US Army serving in Company B, 1st Battalion, 16th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division specializing in Light Weapons Infantry.

He started his tour in Vietnam on November 29, 1967. Osborne was killed in action after being hit by a bullet in the Dinh Tuong province, South Vietnam on October 4, 1968. He was awarded a Purple Heart.

Osborne is honored at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on panel 41W, line 8 and is buried at Stones River National Cemetery in plot Q-6795. The above photo was found on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund website.

You can read more about Osborne and other stories spanning more than 160 years of service to our nation and its ideals at go.nps.gov/sacrifice.

Stories of Service and Sacrifice is an initiative remembering at least 250 individuals buried at Stones River National Cemetery and their contributions to our nation’s 250-year story.

06/15/2026

Stories of Service and Sacrifice

Loyd Curtiss was born on March 4, 1931, in Bedford County, Tennessee. He was a Staff Sergeant in the US Army and served in both Korea and Vietnam. Curtiss died from disease in El Paso, Texas on active duty on October 9, 1969.

He is buried at Stones River National Cemetery in plot Q-6843.

You can read more about Curtiss and other stories spanning more than 160 years of service to our nation and its ideals at go.nps.gov/sacrifice.

Stories of Service and Sacrifice is an initiative remembering at least 250 individuals buried at Stones River National Cemetery and their contributions to our nation’s 250-year story.

06/14/2026

Congratulations to our very own B.A.R.K. Ranger, R***r! Come back and visit us soon!

If YOU would like to see your dog on our social media, complete the B.A.R.K. Ranger tasks and send us a photo of your pup at the park!

06/14/2026

Stories of Service and Sacrifice

Lewis Flatt was born in 1818 and lived in Jackson, Michigan when he enlisted. He served as a Private in Company I, 9th Michigan Infantry. The 9th Michigan Infantry was mustered on October 15, 1861 and was first sent to Kentucky in November 1861 before heading to Nashville, Tennessee in January 1862. They were most likely still in Tennessee when Flatt died on April 28, 1862 from disease in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

He is buried at Stones River National Cemetery in plot E-1819.

If you have a family member buried in Stones River National Cemetery and would like us to share their story, contact us at [email protected] and include any photos or documentation you are willing to share.

You can read more about Flatt and other stories spanning more than 160 years of service to our nation and its ideals at go.nps.gov/sacrifice.

Stories of Service and Sacrifice is an initiative remembering at least 250 individuals buried at Stones River National Cemetery and their contributions to our nation’s 250-year story.

06/13/2026

Stories of Service and Sacrifice

Augustus Mace mustered with Company D of the 77th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry as a private. The Regiment was organized in Pittsburg in October of 1861.

The 77th Pennsylvania left for Murfreesboro in December 1862 by way of Triune. They arrived in Murfreesboro on December 30th and were positioned on Gresham Lane as the far-right flank of the Union line. They were part of the first maneuvers of the battle of Stones River.

At 6am on December 31st, the Confederate troops in the area began to execute their plan: to sweep around the Union's right flank and cause the army to collapse from the side. Because of the nature of the first attacks, many of the men in the 77th PA Infantry were caught off guard in the early morning. After about an hour of fighting, the Confederate forces were able to push the 77th PA further north along Gresham Lane. They held steady but eventually were pushed past Asbury Lane.

They received orders to regroup between the Nashville Pike and the railroad and resupply. Around noon on December 31st, they held a new position on the intersection of the Nashville Pike and Asbury Lane and remained there until nightfall.

According to US Registers of Deaths of Volunteers, Augustus Mace died due to "Vulnus Sclopet" which is a Latin term meaning "Gunshot Wound." This wound was received at the battle of Stones River. He died in a regimental field hospital the same day that he received the wound on December 31st, 1862.

Augustus Mace is buried in the Stones River National Cemetery in plot N-5417. He is also listed in the National Cemetery Internment list as "Mage, Heig."

You can read more about Mace and other stories spanning more than 160 years of service to our nation and its ideals at go.nps.gov/sacrifice.

Stories of Service and Sacrifice is an initiative remembering at least 250 individuals buried at Stones River National Cemetery and their contributions to our nation’s 250-year story.

06/12/2026

Stories of Service and Sacrifice

Obediah Norman was born in 1840 to Rachel Norman. He enlisted into the Union Army on September 28, 1861, at Calhoon, Kentucky at the age of 22. He later mustered in on December 9, 1861, into Company H of the 11th Kentucky Infantry Regiment as a private.

On December 26th, the 11th KY received orders to march south towards Murfreesboro in pursuit of Bragg. The 11th Kentucky arrived in Murfreesboro on December 29th and were positioned on the Nashville & Chattanooga Railroad. Early on December 31st, they were sent across the west fork of the Stones River near McFadden’s Ford to occupy that area as fighting south of that position began. They remained in this position until around 9:30am, when they were sent toward the Nashville Pike and Asbury Lane to reinforce troops that had been fighting since 6am.

They put up a stand near Asbury Lane for about an hour before falling back towards the Nashville Pike. They remained in this position along the Nashville Pike for the rest of the first day of fighting. On January 1, 1863, the 11th Kentucky was sent back to their position at McFadden Farm across the west fork of the Stones River.

At 4pm on January 2nd, Confederate forces charged the McFadden Farm area. Once their presence was known in the area, the 11th Kentucky, along with three other brigades, stopped the Confederate attack in less than an hour. It was during these engagements that Private Norman lost his life in the line of battle.

Obediah Norman was first interred in Lavergne, Tennessee before being laid to rest in the Stones River National Cemetery in plot G-2837. His headstone is incorrectly marked with the last name “Nolmouth.” This is one of the many name discrepancies found in the national cemetery.

You can read more about Obediah and other stories spanning more than 160 years of service to our nation and its ideals at go.nps.gov/sacrifice.

Stories of Service and Sacrifice is an initiative remembering at least 250 individuals buried at Stones River National Cemetery and their contributions to our nation’s 250-year story.

06/11/2026

More than 300 people picked up their Rutherford County America 250 Passport Books last month, and 15 people earned their commemorative tote bag provided by the Rutherford County Convention and Visitors Bureau (RCCVB)!

This is a great week to pick up a booklet here, the RCCVB visitor center, Oaklands Mansion , Historic Sam Davis Home and Museum, Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) Honors College, Smyrna Public Library and the La Vergne Public Library . You can also download and print your own copy at https://go.nps.gov/rca250passport.

Three passport events take place this Saturday, June 13. You can start the day at the La Vergne Public Works & Community Development Services Facility for a 9 AM flag raising ceremony and Liberty Lap Color Walk.

The Rutherford County Library System’s America 250 Lecture Series will feature Dr. Stacey Graham exploring the importance of Cannonsburgh. The program begins at 11 AM at Linebaugh Library.

The Rutherford Arts Alliance will stamp passports at the Simply Smyrna Celebration. The event will present 250 years of American history through the music that shaped our nation—while highlighting Tennessee's unique role in the development of major music entertainment genres and the artists and communities behind them. It runs from 5:00-9:30 PM at the Historic Depot District.

If you add in a few site visits in between these events, you could collect the ten stamps needed to earn your tote bag in one day!

To find the America’s 250 events featured in the booklet and others throughout our county, go to rutherford250events.com.