Sign In

- Or use -
Forgot Password Create Account
This item has been sold, but you can enter your email address to be notified if another example becomes available.
Description

Scarce battle plan of Stone's River, Tennessee, published in Chicago by A.F. Stevenson and printed by the Heliotype Printing Co of Boston.

The map provides an exceptionally detailed overivew of the Battlefiled at Stone's River, "From maps, kindly furnished by Gen. Sheridan and Others."

The map is based upon information compiled by A.F. Stevenson, who served as a Captain-Inspector under General Sheridan during the Battle of Stone's River and would later rise to Inspector General.

The map offers a meticulous accounting of the positions of the various troop positions near Murfreesboro, Tennessee, with significant details including names, dates, and other battle related information. Stevenson's account of the battle apparently differed from other contemporary accounts, making this an interesting first hand account by one of the ranking officer's under General Sheridan. Stevenson would later write a book on the battle.

It is also noteworthy that the present plan seems to be the largest format and most detailed of all the printed battle plans of Stone's River, in addition to being the rarest.

Battle of Stones River

The Battle of Stones River or Second Battle of Murfreesboro, was fought from December 31, 1862, to January 2, 1863, in Middle Tennessee, as the final battle of the Stones River Campaign in the Western Theater of the American Civil War. Of the major battles of the Civil War, Stones River had the highest percentage of casualties on both sides. Although the battle itself was inconclusive, the Union Army's repulse of two Confederate attacks and the subsequent Confederate withdrawal were a much-needed boost to Union morale after the defeat at the Battle of Fredericksburg, and it dashed Confederate aspirations for control of Middle Tennessee.

Union Maj. Gen. William S. Rosecrans's Army of the Cumberland marched from Nashville, Tennessee, on December 26, 1862, to challenge General Braxton Bragg's Army of Tennessee at Murfreesboro. On December 31,1862, each army commander planned to attack his opponent's right flank, but Bragg struck first. A massive assault by the corps of Maj. Gen. William J. Hardee, followed by that of Leonidas Polk, overran the wing commanded by Maj. Gen. Alexander M. McCook. A stout defense by the division of Brig. Gen. Philip Sheridan in the right center of the line prevented a total collapse and the Union assumed a tight defensive position backing up to the Nashville Turnpike. Repeated Confederate attacks were repulsed from this concentrated line, most notably in the cedar "Round Forest" salient against the brigade of Col. William B. Hazen. Bragg attempted to continue the assault with the corps of Maj. Gen. John C. Breckinridge, but the troops were slow in arriving and their multiple piecemeal attacks failed.

Fighting resumed on January 2, 1863, when Bragg ordered Breckinridge to assault the well-fortified Union position on a hill to the east of the Stones River. Faced with overwhelming artillery, the Confederates were repulsed with heavy losses. Believing that Rosecrans was receiving reinforcements, Bragg chose to withdraw his army on January 3, 1863, to Tullahoma, Tennessee. This caused Bragg to lose the confidence of the Army of Tennessee.

A.F. Stevenson

A.F. Stevenson was born in 1837, in the city of Hamburg, Germany, of Scotch-German parents. In 1854, he emigrated to America, and for several years cultivated a farm near Cambridge, Illinois. He then began the study of law with Judge Wilkinson of Rock Island, and about a year thereafter was admitted to the bar.

Stevenson practiced law until the beginning of the war, when he enlisted a company in Henry County, which, however, was not accepted by the Governor, a large surplus of volunteers having already offered. Under the second call for troops he enlisted a company for the 42d Illinois Regiment (Douglas Brigade), and served as first lieutenant in its Missouri campaign under Frémont and Hunter. Thereafter, he was appointed adjutant general to Colonel Roberts, and remained with him in that position until the colonel was killed at the battle of Stone River.

In the battles of Farmington and Stone River, and in the siege of Corinth and the pursuit of the rebels by General Pope after its evacuation, Captain Stevenson took an active part; and during the investment of the city of Nashville by the rebels, and its bombardment on the 5th of November, 1862, he was present with his command, participating in many of the skirmishes occurring in that vicinity. Soon after the battle of Stone River he was selected by General Sheridan as the inspector-general of his division.

Rarity

While Stevenson's map is known, this large format example is apparently unrecorded.

Condition Description
Dissected and laid on linen. Some old tape stains and soiling.