Is there another consideration for the buttons?
Superintendent Frame came to the conclusion that the eleven sets of bones were a mixture of Union and Confederate soldiers based solely on the existence of the different buttons. But there is one factor that needs additional consideration.
The Battle of Stones River occurred in bitterly cold and wet weather conditions. It is well documented that some of the Confederate soldiers were ill-equipped to handle the freezing temperatures. The troops of General McCown’s division caught the Union army’s right flank completely by surprise with many casualties. As the Confederate soldiers came upon the opposing army’s dead, they could be enticed by the wool coats on the bodies of their enemies. Although warned against salvaging items from the dead, the opportunity to get into warmer coats was too good to pass by.
With Confederates now wearing Union coats, they had to make sure not to confuse their own fellow troops. But if they were subsequently killed, these Confederates with Union coats would be buried with their fellow soldiers with no consideration that 17 years later the mixture of buttons would confuse the situation.
This scenario would satisfy that soldiers from the same army were buried in the same trench together and the statement by the former slaves that the trench contained Confederate soldiers.
It is also possible that Union soldiers were buried on top of the existing layer of Confederate dead that were tightly packed together. The use of the existing trench for Union soldiers “from the fort” would be easier work for the gravediggers instead of creating a new one in the rocky soil.
Superintendent Frame came to the conclusion that the eleven sets of bones were a mixture of Union and Confederate soldiers based solely on the existence of the different buttons. But there is one factor that needs additional consideration.
The Battle of Stones River occurred in bitterly cold and wet weather conditions. It is well documented that some of the Confederate soldiers were ill-equipped to handle the freezing temperatures. The troops of General McCown’s division caught the Union army’s right flank completely by surprise with many casualties. As the Confederate soldiers came upon the opposing army’s dead, they could be enticed by the wool coats on the bodies of their enemies. Although warned against salvaging items from the dead, the opportunity to get into warmer coats was too good to pass by.
With Confederates now wearing Union coats, they had to make sure not to confuse their own fellow troops. But if they were subsequently killed, these Confederates with Union coats would be buried with their fellow soldiers with no consideration that 17 years later the mixture of buttons would confuse the situation.
This scenario would satisfy that soldiers from the same army were buried in the same trench together and the statement by the former slaves that the trench contained Confederate soldiers.
It is also possible that Union soldiers were buried on top of the existing layer of Confederate dead that were tightly packed together. The use of the existing trench for Union soldiers “from the fort” would be easier work for the gravediggers instead of creating a new one in the rocky soil.
Grave number 6135
In Section O of the Stones River National Cemetery, in the row closest to the Nashville Pike, lies Grave Number 6315. It has a non-conforming headstone with the simple engraving stating “This Grave Contains the Remains of Eleven Unknown Soldiers.”
When visitors come to the national battlefield, one of their normal questions is “Are there any Confederates buried in the national cemetery?” The usual answer given is that the cemetery only contains Union soldiers. But those in the know have to answer with a caveat or asterisk. Although the headstone of Grave O-6315 doesn’t confirm the existence, we know that some unknown number of the eleven are Confederate soldiers. Is it eight Confederates or all eleven or even some other number? We may never know. But Grave O-6135 is certainly the most unique grave in Stones River National Cemetery.
In Section O of the Stones River National Cemetery, in the row closest to the Nashville Pike, lies Grave Number 6315. It has a non-conforming headstone with the simple engraving stating “This Grave Contains the Remains of Eleven Unknown Soldiers.”
When visitors come to the national battlefield, one of their normal questions is “Are there any Confederates buried in the national cemetery?” The usual answer given is that the cemetery only contains Union soldiers. But those in the know have to answer with a caveat or asterisk. Although the headstone of Grave O-6315 doesn’t confirm the existence, we know that some unknown number of the eleven are Confederate soldiers. Is it eight Confederates or all eleven or even some other number? We may never know. But Grave O-6135 is certainly the most unique grave in Stones River National Cemetery.