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Stones River National Battlefield

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Stones River National Battlefield

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Stones River National Battlefield preserves over 600 acres of the historic battlefield and National Cemetery near Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
(1477)

A Hard Earned Victory:

The Battle of Stones River began on the last day of 1862 and was one of the bloodiest conflicts of the Civil War. The battle produced important military and political gains for the Union, and it changed forever the people who lived and fought here.

10/31/2026

🎃Happy Halloween and 🦇

The spookiest sounds of Halloween may be the ones we can’t hear, like the those represented in this image capturing the climactic moment of a bat on the hunt.

Bats send out high frequency sounds and read the returning echoes to find their way in the dark. Most of these echolocation sounds are too high pitched for humans to hear. This sonogram is a visual representation of echolocation calls made by an Eastern red bat (Lasiurus borealis) eating an insect at Stones River National Cemetery.

The call pattern has a “bouncy” shape, which is common for eastern red bats as they search for prey. A little after 0.2 seconds, the bat begins a “feeding buzz.” This faster series of calls helps the bat locate the insect and learn more about it. From about 0.5 to 0.7 seconds, the bat was likely eating the insect. Around 0.7 seconds, it began searching for another meal.

Scientists can often identify bat species by looking at the call’s frequency, duration, and pattern. However, many bat species have similar calls, so they can sometimes be difficult to identify correctly.

More information about Bats of TN: https://www.tnbwg.org/more/bats-of-tennessee

University of Tennessee Image

10/30/2026

Beginning Sunday November 1, 2026, all park gates will close at 4:30 PM. This includes the visitor center parking lot gate. Our visitor center will still open at 9 AM but will close at 4 PM.

These winter hours will remain in effect through the end of February 2027.

Visitors may continue to access the park by bike or on foot until sunset when all park areas are closed to the public. Have questions about the new hours? Let us know in the comments!

NPS Photo - McFadden Farm at sunset.

10/30/2026

🦇It's 🦇

Where are bats most active in the park? This June, researchers from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and our park biologist placed sound recorders at seven locations to identify the park’s bat species and where they live. This information will help us locate and preserve bat habitat, so these tiny insect eaters continue to play their role in keeping the battlefield’s ecosystems healthy.

Researchers are still identifying the bat species they recorded by listening to their unique calls. So far, they have found that bats were most active at the Pioneer Brigade Earthworks, Fortress Rosecrans, and the West Fork of the Stones River.

More information about Bats of TN: https://www.tnbwg.org/more/bats-of-tennessee

University of Tennessee Photos

10/29/2026

Stories of Service and Sacrifice

Washington Reigle was born in Ohio in 1844 to Philip and Catherine Reigle. His father worked as a shoemaker. In 1850, Washington was the fifth of seven children in the Reigle family. His siblings' names were Jefferson, Elias, Philip, Martin, Malinda Washington, and Cevilla Washington. In 1850, the family lived in Tymochtee, Wyandot County, Ohio. Ten years later, they had moved to Madison, Hancock County, Ohio, and welcomed three more children named, Madison, Franklin, and Alexandria. Washington was 16 years old in 1860.

On October 28, 1862, Washington Reigle enrolled with the Union Army at the age of 18. He mustered into the 7th Independent Company, Ohio Sharpshooters, as a private at Camp Cleveland, Ohio, on January 27, 1863.

The 7th came to Murfreesboro, Tennessee in March 1863. They were assigned to protect the headquarters and staff of Generals William S. Rosecrans and George H. Thomas. While in Murfreesboro, Private Reigle fell ill with pneumonia. He died of this illness on June 28, 1863, although some records show his death as June 23, 1863.

Washington Reigle is laid to rest in Stones River National Cemetery in an unknown grave.

You can read more about Washington Riegle 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.

10/28/2026

🎵 “They’re creepy and they’re kooky, mysterious and spooky, they’re all together ooky” 🎶

Or are they? 🤔

This month on , we’re featuring some of our misunderstood and not-so-spooky critters!

Not only that, but it is also and we can’t let the week pass without talking about our favorite flying mammal – the tricolored bat! 🦇

The most common bat species in Tennessee, these fluffy and small bats are often seen in the summertime at dusk, searching for a bug dinner, or roosting in trees and manmade structures. Their slow, erratic, and fluttery flying style sometimes gets them mistaken for big moths.

You may have heard the saying “blind as a bat,” but bats aren’t blind at all!

While their eyesight is just fine, bats usually navigate through the darkness using echolocation. Like the sonar in a submarine, bats make a call and listen to the echo of it as it bounces off objects around them. Bat calls are ultrasonic, meaning the soundwaves are at a frequency beyond the upper limit of human hearing.

As October ends and winter looms on the horizon, our tricolored bats will soon be finding structures – like caves, mines, and culverts – to hibernate in.

Keep an eye out for our flying friends this Bat Week! 🦇

NPS Photo - Russell Cave National Monument

10/27/2026

Stories of Service and Sacrifice

David Budd was born in 1838 in Hamilton, Boone County, Indiana. He was one of ten siblings and the son of Eli and Delilah Budd. He lived in North Salem, Indiana. At the age of twenty-one, he married Demarius Page, and together they welcomed three children: Harriet, Daniel, and David D. Budd.

In September 1861, at twenty-three years old, David Budd enlisted in the Union Army, joining Company A of the 51st Indiana Infantry as a private. The regiment was soon dispatched to Louisville, Kentucky. Their journey through the war had them fighting at the Battle of Shiloh, the Siege of Corinth, and Buell’s Campaign in Northern Alabama. They served as reserves during the Battle of Perryville. From there, they marched to Nashville, Tennessee, remaining on duty until late December.

On the evening of December 29, 1862, they crossed Stones River near Wayne’s Hill, intending to occupy positions thought to be abandoned. However, Confederate forces still held the area, resulting in a brief skirmish and a forced retreat after reinforcements arrived. On December 31, following early morning Confederate attacks, the regiment shifted from the Union left flank near Stones River to Asbury Lane. There, they engaged in fierce combat, ultimately falling back toward the Nashville Pike.

On January 1, 1863, the 51st Indiana fought at the Round Forest, reclaiming territory briefly held by the Confederates. The following day, they endured heavy artillery fire, but with the help of reinforcements, drove off the enemy. It was on this last day of the Battle of Stones River that Private Budd was killed in action.

Private David Budd is buried at Stones River National Cemetery in plot F-2356.

You can read more about Budd 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.

10/26/2026

🦇It's 🦇

There are 16 species of bats in Tennessee. Many of them, like the Eastern red bat, call Stones River National Battlefield home.

In summer, many bat species rest in trees, either under the bark or among the leaves. Eastern red bats live in trees all year and may migrate long distances. However, scientists are learning that many eastern red bats spend the winter in Tennessee. They may hide in leaf litter on the ground or enter a state called “torpor.” During torpor, bats slow down their body functions to save energy on cold days.

Eastern red bats are easy to recognize in flight. Around sunset, they leave the trees to search for insects over open fields and along field edges. They are known for their unpredictable flight patterns, and people watching from the ground can sometimes see their reddish color.

The Eastern red bat pictured here was captured by permitted bat scientists with an approved IACUC protocol at a different study location.

More information about Bats of TN: https://www.tnbwg.org/more/bats-of-tennessee

University of Tennessee Photo

10/25/2026

We're thankful so many visitors showed up to celebrate with us last Saturday. We're even more pleased that the event was a part of the Great American Expedition. The flag is currently in our visitor center through November 5th. It will travel with our volunteer living history team to Mill Springs Battlefield National Monument for their Conflict at the Crossroads event on November 7, 2026.

Stop by and take a picture with this symbol of a year-long journey to capture the stories of special places and their caretakers, building a national record of stewardship that honors America’s first 250 years and looks ahead to the next.

10/22/2026

Seasonal Employment Opportunity

We're looking for individuals looking for a chance to work outdoors and help our team care for the facilities and resources of Stones River National Battlefield. Three positions are open and accepting applications at USAjobs.gov. Search for National Park Service jobs in Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Biological Science Technician (Plants) (Seasonal)
Maintenance Worker (Seasonal)
Laborer (MVO) Seasonal

These positions are temporary and will not exceed 1039 hours (6 months). Park housing may be available. The application period for these opportunities closes on October 26 or 27, 2026.

NPS Photo - Volunteer Photographer David Williams

10/22/2026

Stories of Service and Sacrifice

Robert William Betty was born on May 19, 1895, in Rutherford County, Tennessee. He worked as a farmer in the Rutherford County area. At the age of 23, he enlisted with the US Army on September 1, 1918, at Camp Sherman, to serve during World War I. His draft card recorded his appearance as tall and slender with dark hair and dark eyes. At the time of his enlistment, he was unmarried.

Robert Betty was assigned to the 6th Pioneer Infantry as a private. Pioneer infantry regiments, often composed of African American soldiers, were trained in both infantry tactics and combat engineering. They provided support on the front lines with road building, clearing obstacles, and general construction work. Their work was vital in supporting the army’s movements through Europe.

Private Betty enlisted a little over a month before the end of WWI. He spent three months in service before he was honorably discharged on December 28, 1918. After being discharged, he returned home to Tennessee. Robert Betty married Annie E. Betty and the two lived in Rutherford County.

At 53 years old, Robert Betty died on December 19, 1948; specifics of his death are unknown. He was laid to rest in Stones River National Cemetery in plot Q-6508. His wife, Annie E. Betty, was interred beside him in plot Q-6509 after her death on February 4, 1963.

You can read more about Robert 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.

Address

3501 Old Nashville Highway
Murfreesboro, TN
37129

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm
Saturday	9am - 5pm
Sunday	9am - 5pm

Telephone

+16158939501

Website

http://www.nps.gov/stri/index.htm

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