Traveling to the west from Stones River National Battlefield on Old Nashville Highway, eventually you enter the world of old-time Tennessee. The road enters an area when cattle still graze and hay bales dot the landscape. The Hord family farm still operates on lands that existed almost the same way back in the 1860’s. Large trees line a narrow driveway that leads to the Hord House, barely visible in the summer months behind all the leaves. [NOTE: The Hord House is still a residence on private property and not open to visitors.] The home shows its age but still proudly stands against the sands of time. Old Nashville Highway then slopes down to a narrow bridge that crosses the steep walls of Overall Creek. The creek varies from water to the top of the channel to a dry exposure of the large, uneven limestone boulders along the bed.
Although several miles from the boundaries of the national battlefield, the crossing over the creek and the Hord property played an important role during the Battle of Stones River. The original wooden bridge was replaced long ago by a two-lane concrete structure. During the march from Nashville, the Union Army had to ensure that the bridge was still standing to move the main force of soldiers, cannons and supplies over the water. Once crossed, the bridge still needed protection for keeping the supply lines open and ultimately a means of escape if the Union forces were pushed back.
The large Hord House was also chosen by the army to serve as a field hospital. Although initially far from the front, the battle eventually moved much closer to the building and was possibly the only field hospital that remained behind the Union lines throughout the battle. The blood-stained walls and floors could tell the horrors of war.
But the events of December 31, 1862 at the bridge across Overall Creek actually are connected to the very first shots that the Confederate fired back at the crossroad of Franklin Road and Gresham Lane at first light and the unlikely actions of a unit commanding officer far behind the Union lines.
BAYONETS AGAINST THEIR OWN
After the surprised attack by the Confederates (see the Story of Franklin Road), the overwhelmed Union troops ran uncontrolled towards the northwest away from further support from their own troops. They first encountered the Ohio 15th Infantry who still had their backs to the action. It was too late for them to turn around before they were hit with the Confederate onslaught. They too were forced to run.
Some of the troops in Generals Willich and Kirk’s Brigades headed more directly west towards cabins on the Smith plantation. These were probably slave cabins. Beyond the cabins was Puckett Creek. The troops would continue to run along the creek until it joined Overall Creek.
The remaining troops ran to the northwest where they encountered a high fence. As they tried to scale the fence, a large number of soldiers were either killed, wounded or captured by the Confederates immediately behind them. Those that were able to get over the fence were able to reach Puckett and Overall Creeks. They continued to run along Overall Creek staying just ahead of the Confederates.
The Michigan 9th Infantry Regiment under Colonel John Parkhurst was assigned the duty as provost guard for General George Thomas. The regiment’s role was to protect supplies, round up potential deserters and guard prisoners of war. This duty had them positioned well behind the lines along the Nashville Pike near the bridge over Overall Creek. Even though they were far from the front, they were wary of potential attacks from Confederate cavalry units trying to disrupt vital roads and capture supply wagons.
Parkhurst heard noises rapidly approaching from the south along the creek. Thinking they were Confederates on horseback, Parkhurst got his troops positioned to defend the wagons. As he turned his attention to the south, he was shocked to see emerging from the bushes soldiers in blue, not gray, uniforms. The first Union soldiers arrived from Franklin Road, still in full panic mode, unarmed with no command structure. Even though they were meeting a friendly force, these soldiers still wanted to continue running away from what was behind them.
Parkhurst assessed the situation. He had to somehow control the mass of panicked troops he still heard coming. Parkhurst issued an order to his troops to attach their bayonets. As more Union troops arrived at the pike, they were met with a line of bayonets and rifles. The decision to meet friendly troops with bayonets proved to be a daring and critical move. The troops that had run three miles from Franklin Pike stopped their panicked retreat and Parkhurst was able to control them. Accounts show that over one thousand Union troops arrived at the Overall Creek bridge, far surpassing the size of the 9th Michigan. [Note: Another account stated that the bridge over Stewart’s Creek at Smyrna stopped another twelve hundred panicked soldiers.]
Parkhurst then turned his attention to what may be following these troops. The panicked troops still felt that Confederate troops were following them. What they didn’t know was that the advancing Confederate forces were finally redirected back to the main fight by General McCown and were now in position on the end of the left flank as part of the wheel.
Once Parkhurst realized that no attack was forthcoming, he was able to send the troops back down the Nashville Pike towards the front resupplying them with new rifles from his stockpiles. These troops were part of the vital reorganization that Rosecrans was able to accomplish along the Nashville Pike and the railroad during the remaining hours of the morning.
Protecting the Past
The Hord Family continues to work hard to continue the farm operations despite the on-going pressure of a growing county around them. The farm was first divided by a new four lane road connecting Murfreesboro, Smyrna and Nashville. Then the new expressway that became I-840 further split the farm property. Murfreesboro eventually wants to rebuild Old Nashville Highway as a three-lane road and build an extension on Cherry Lane that will further divide the property. Housing developments are encroaching from the west. The country road feel is endangered in its own battle beyond the boundaries.
- by Thomas Zei
Although several miles from the boundaries of the national battlefield, the crossing over the creek and the Hord property played an important role during the Battle of Stones River. The original wooden bridge was replaced long ago by a two-lane concrete structure. During the march from Nashville, the Union Army had to ensure that the bridge was still standing to move the main force of soldiers, cannons and supplies over the water. Once crossed, the bridge still needed protection for keeping the supply lines open and ultimately a means of escape if the Union forces were pushed back.
The large Hord House was also chosen by the army to serve as a field hospital. Although initially far from the front, the battle eventually moved much closer to the building and was possibly the only field hospital that remained behind the Union lines throughout the battle. The blood-stained walls and floors could tell the horrors of war.
But the events of December 31, 1862 at the bridge across Overall Creek actually are connected to the very first shots that the Confederate fired back at the crossroad of Franklin Road and Gresham Lane at first light and the unlikely actions of a unit commanding officer far behind the Union lines.
BAYONETS AGAINST THEIR OWN
After the surprised attack by the Confederates (see the Story of Franklin Road), the overwhelmed Union troops ran uncontrolled towards the northwest away from further support from their own troops. They first encountered the Ohio 15th Infantry who still had their backs to the action. It was too late for them to turn around before they were hit with the Confederate onslaught. They too were forced to run.
Some of the troops in Generals Willich and Kirk’s Brigades headed more directly west towards cabins on the Smith plantation. These were probably slave cabins. Beyond the cabins was Puckett Creek. The troops would continue to run along the creek until it joined Overall Creek.
The remaining troops ran to the northwest where they encountered a high fence. As they tried to scale the fence, a large number of soldiers were either killed, wounded or captured by the Confederates immediately behind them. Those that were able to get over the fence were able to reach Puckett and Overall Creeks. They continued to run along Overall Creek staying just ahead of the Confederates.
The Michigan 9th Infantry Regiment under Colonel John Parkhurst was assigned the duty as provost guard for General George Thomas. The regiment’s role was to protect supplies, round up potential deserters and guard prisoners of war. This duty had them positioned well behind the lines along the Nashville Pike near the bridge over Overall Creek. Even though they were far from the front, they were wary of potential attacks from Confederate cavalry units trying to disrupt vital roads and capture supply wagons.
Parkhurst heard noises rapidly approaching from the south along the creek. Thinking they were Confederates on horseback, Parkhurst got his troops positioned to defend the wagons. As he turned his attention to the south, he was shocked to see emerging from the bushes soldiers in blue, not gray, uniforms. The first Union soldiers arrived from Franklin Road, still in full panic mode, unarmed with no command structure. Even though they were meeting a friendly force, these soldiers still wanted to continue running away from what was behind them.
Parkhurst assessed the situation. He had to somehow control the mass of panicked troops he still heard coming. Parkhurst issued an order to his troops to attach their bayonets. As more Union troops arrived at the pike, they were met with a line of bayonets and rifles. The decision to meet friendly troops with bayonets proved to be a daring and critical move. The troops that had run three miles from Franklin Pike stopped their panicked retreat and Parkhurst was able to control them. Accounts show that over one thousand Union troops arrived at the Overall Creek bridge, far surpassing the size of the 9th Michigan. [Note: Another account stated that the bridge over Stewart’s Creek at Smyrna stopped another twelve hundred panicked soldiers.]
Parkhurst then turned his attention to what may be following these troops. The panicked troops still felt that Confederate troops were following them. What they didn’t know was that the advancing Confederate forces were finally redirected back to the main fight by General McCown and were now in position on the end of the left flank as part of the wheel.
Once Parkhurst realized that no attack was forthcoming, he was able to send the troops back down the Nashville Pike towards the front resupplying them with new rifles from his stockpiles. These troops were part of the vital reorganization that Rosecrans was able to accomplish along the Nashville Pike and the railroad during the remaining hours of the morning.
Protecting the Past
The Hord Family continues to work hard to continue the farm operations despite the on-going pressure of a growing county around them. The farm was first divided by a new four lane road connecting Murfreesboro, Smyrna and Nashville. Then the new expressway that became I-840 further split the farm property. Murfreesboro eventually wants to rebuild Old Nashville Highway as a three-lane road and build an extension on Cherry Lane that will further divide the property. Housing developments are encroaching from the west. The country road feel is endangered in its own battle beyond the boundaries.
- by Thomas Zei