Question

What was the significance of the Battle of Stone's River?

Answer 1

What was the significance of the Battle of Stone's River?

The sheer number of casualities and the timing of the victory is the significance of the Battle of Stone's River. It happened between 1862 & 1863 - one of the wars in the American Civil Wars. Both the Union's Army and the Confederates lost men heavily. It eventually led the Union to gain control of the battlefield thereby ending hopes of Confederates about Tenessee.

The strategy of the Union was also commendable. The Confederates chose to withdraw thinking that Union's reinforcements were arriving. Around 25,000 people were killed out of the 77,000 men that participated.

It is historically significant because the Confederate threat to Kentucky and Tenessee was done with. It is famous for the letter that Abraham Lincoln wrote to General Rosecrans:

"You gave us a hard-earned victory, which had there been a defeat instead, the nation could scarcely have lived over."

It is preserved as a heritage site and sprawls over 26 acres.