Today in History (general history)/ On This Day in General History/ Confederate General Birthdays, Dec. 31.

Click 👉TODAY IN HISTORY (general history), Dec. 31

ON THIS DAY IN CONFEDERATE HISTORY, Dec. 31.

1862: First Day Battle of Murfreesboro, Tenn. (aka Stones River). Gen. Braxton Bragg's Army of Tennessee, with 35,000 effective troops, clashed with Maj. Gen. William Rosecrans' Army of the Cumberland, with 43,400 effective troops, along Stones River at Murfreesboro, Tenn. Rosecrans's army came from Nashville to attack Bragg's right flank. Bragg also planned to attack Rosecrans' right flank and attacked first and overran Maj. Gen. Alexander McCook's Wing. However, Brig. Gen. Philip Sheridan's line stopped the collapse of the Federal army. Maj. Gen. John C. Breckinridge's assaults at the "Round Forest" were also repulsed. The battle continued.

Battle of Murfreesboro, Tenn. 

(Stones River NMP)

Cpl. John M. Sellers

Co. G, 16th La. Inf.

Wounded in action at Murfreesboro

(Robert Albanese & Dan McCollum)

Also, on this day in 1862, the Battle of Parker's Crossroads, Tenn. took place between 3,000 men under Federal Brig. Gen. Jeremiah C. Sullivan who was blocking Confederate Maj. Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest's 1,8000 cavalrymen from crossing the Tennessee River after their successful raid in West Tenn. Forrest then took the initiative with his artillery driving the Federals back then his men struck in front and on both flanks and rear. Forrest demanded a surrender, which was refused. The Confederates were then attacked from the rear by the Federals and Forrest famously gave the order, "Charge 'em both ways," The Confederates repelled the bluecoats, who then withdrew south to Lexington, Tenn., and Forrest's command crossed the river.

Capt. John W. Morton Jr.

Commanded Forrest's artillery.

CONFEDERATE GENERAL BIRTHDAYS, Dec. 31. 

NONE.