Although the highest point of the Stone’s River Battlefield is shown on most battle maps as Wayne’s Hill, it was just an undescribed rise on the landscape before December 31, 1862. The Confederates realized the military importance of this high point and took steps prior to the battle to fortify it’s slopes with various earthworks while using it as the pivot point to protect the west and north approaches to the town of Murfreesboro.
Cobb’s Artillery Battery was positioned on the northwest side of Wayne’s Hill. Instead of utilizing the top of the hill having a view of the entire battlefield, Cobb’s cannons were position within and near the earthworks built on the side of the hill. This positioning would help defend against the anticipated crossing of the Stones River along the Union’s left flank which was the original plan by General Rosecrans. Throughout the morning, Cobb’s unit fired its cannons at the Federals across the river. In return, the Union forces used rifled guns accurately at the earthworks.
One of the Confederate soldiers firing the guns in Cobb’s Battery within the earthworks was Private Dennis Wayne. (Some documents spelled his name as Deceous Whayne.) A fellow soldier, Private John Jackman of the 9th Kentucky Infantry, later wrote “Prv’t Wayne was a gunner in Cobb’s Battery. After a hot engagement on the 31st and having done good execution on the advancing columns, he stood up on his gun and commenced cheering, when a shell took off his head.” He was buried close by, and the hill was named after him to commemorate the brave soldier.”
The cannons of Cobb’s Battery were used throughout the afternoon of December 31st pounding Union positions north of the Round Forest and providing some support to the Confederate’s advances through Hell’s Hell Acre. The positioning within the earthworks on the west side of Wayne’s Hill provided protection but would limit mobility and range of the guns. Although the Rebels held the high ground, they opted to move the guns to a lower position on the side of the hill within the earthworks. The cannons also eventually were plagued by a lack of ammunition which reduced their effectiveness in supporting the Confederate forces.
The property recently purchased by American Battlefield Trust on Broad Street contains the positions of the Union forces which were under fire by Cobb’s Battery across the river. Please support ABT in their efforts to protect additional properties of the Stones River Battlefield at battlefield.org
- Thomas Zei
Cobb’s Artillery Battery was positioned on the northwest side of Wayne’s Hill. Instead of utilizing the top of the hill having a view of the entire battlefield, Cobb’s cannons were position within and near the earthworks built on the side of the hill. This positioning would help defend against the anticipated crossing of the Stones River along the Union’s left flank which was the original plan by General Rosecrans. Throughout the morning, Cobb’s unit fired its cannons at the Federals across the river. In return, the Union forces used rifled guns accurately at the earthworks.
One of the Confederate soldiers firing the guns in Cobb’s Battery within the earthworks was Private Dennis Wayne. (Some documents spelled his name as Deceous Whayne.) A fellow soldier, Private John Jackman of the 9th Kentucky Infantry, later wrote “Prv’t Wayne was a gunner in Cobb’s Battery. After a hot engagement on the 31st and having done good execution on the advancing columns, he stood up on his gun and commenced cheering, when a shell took off his head.” He was buried close by, and the hill was named after him to commemorate the brave soldier.”
The cannons of Cobb’s Battery were used throughout the afternoon of December 31st pounding Union positions north of the Round Forest and providing some support to the Confederate’s advances through Hell’s Hell Acre. The positioning within the earthworks on the west side of Wayne’s Hill provided protection but would limit mobility and range of the guns. Although the Rebels held the high ground, they opted to move the guns to a lower position on the side of the hill within the earthworks. The cannons also eventually were plagued by a lack of ammunition which reduced their effectiveness in supporting the Confederate forces.
The property recently purchased by American Battlefield Trust on Broad Street contains the positions of the Union forces which were under fire by Cobb’s Battery across the river. Please support ABT in their efforts to protect additional properties of the Stones River Battlefield at battlefield.org
- Thomas Zei