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The purpose of this institute is to explore the complex history of Civil War era Kentucky and the Ohio Valley region through a series of field trips and lectures that allow participants to follow the footsteps of the armies and stand on the grounds where they fought. These tours familiarize the public with the campaigns and battles of the Western Theater of the Civil War. The primary focus of the Institute is to discuss the strategic importance of these battles in relation to Kentucky and the personalities from Kentucky who fought on both sides.

Situated on the borderland dividing North and South, slave and free territory, the Ohio Valley region became as bitterly divided as any in the nation during the Civil War. Characterized by divided loyalties and lingering postwar bitterness, politics and society in the region continued to be influenced by the war for the remainder of the century. The coming bicentennials of the births of Jefferson Davis (1808) and Abraham Lincoln (1809), and the 150th anniversary commemoration of the Civil War (2011 to 2015) present an excellent opportunity to revisit this critical period in our national experience from an Ohio Valley perspective.

The Battle of Stones River

Join the Filson Civil War Field Institute for a never-to-be-forgotten two days in Murfreesboro, TN.

The fierce battle at Stones River took place between Dec. 31, 1862 and Jan. 2, 1863. More than 83,000 soldiers fought in the battle which, though considered a tactical draw, proved a major boost to Union morale. General Braxton Bragg’s Confederate forces withdrew after the battle, allowing General Rosecrans and the Union to control middle Tennessee. When the smoke cleared after three days of fighting, there were more than 24,000 casualties, making this one of the bloodiest battles fought west of the Appalachians.

The battle produced important military and political gains for the Union, and it changed forever the people who lived and fought there.

The battlefield which includes Stones River National Cemetery was established in 1865, with no more than 6,000 Union graves; and the Hazen Brigade Monument, believed to be the oldest, intact Civil War monument still standing in its original location. Portions of Fortress Rosecrans, a large earthen fort constructed after the battles still stand and are preserved and interpreted by the National Park Service.

The Filson Historical Society

Since its founding in 1884, The Filson Historical Society has preserved the collective memory of Kentucky, the Ohio Valley and the Upper South. The Filson continues to collect and tell the significant stories of the region. An independent historical society located in Louisville, Ky., The Filson serves the public through its extensive research collections and numerous educational opportunities. The Filson is headquartered in the Ferguson Mansion, which houses a library, a museum, and a special collections department. The Society has the finest collection of Civil War manuscripts in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

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September 21 - 22, 2007

"The Battle of Stones River"

We will meet up Friday evening for dinner and a keynote lecture by historian James Lee McDonough.

McDonough is a retired professor of history from Auburn University. He is the author of numerous books on the Civil War, including Shiloh--In Hell Before Night; War in Kentucky: From Shiloh to Perryville; Chattanooga--Death Grip on the Confederacy, and Stones River--Bloody Winter in Tennessee. He is also the co-author (with James Pickett Jones) of War So Terrible: Sherman and Atlanta and (with Thomas L. Connelly) of Five Tragic Hours: The Battle of Franklin.

The bus will depart at 9:00 a.m. Saturday morning for a day touring the Stones River Battlefield Park, led by Jim Lewis, a ranger at the park.

Lewis has been a Park Ranger with the National Park Service since 1991. Since 1997 he has been a fixture at Stones River National Battlefield, serving as a ranger, curator and de facto historian. Lewis has researched and presented dozens of interpretive programs at Stones River National Battlefield and across the country on a variety of Civil War topics. He has also written many interpretive publications for the National Park Service and played a large role in planning and researching the material in the new Stones River National Battlefield museum. He serves on the advisory board of the Tennessee Civil War Preservation Trust.

Cost: $195 for Filson members
          $245 for non-members

Cost includes Friday reception and dinner, keynote speaker, Saturday lunch and reception, Hallowed ground performance, and bus transportation, in addition to refreshments during the day tour.

A non-refundable deposit of $50 per person is required at the time of registration. Balance is due to The Filson by August 31, 2007.

Accommodations:

Comfort Suites,
226 North Thompson Lane
Murfreesboro, TN 37129
Phone: 615-869-0950

Rate: $89.99+14.75% tax.
Ask for The Filson Historical Society room block.

For more information about the hotel, click here.

Institute participants are responsible for making their own accommodation arrangements. Accommodations are not included in the price of the Institute. If other accommodations are preferred, check: http://www.rutherfordchamber.org

Friday, Sept. 21, 2007

5:30 p.m.: Reception at the Comfort Inn & Suites. Pick up your itinerary and packet and meet other Institute participants.

7:00 p.m.: Buffet dinner at the hotel, catered by Caroline's Creations, one of Murfreesboro's hometown favorites.

8:00 p.m.: James Lee McDonough, keynote speaker and author of “Stones River- Bloody Winter in Tennessee” presents a lecture on the Battle of Stones River and the preceding campaign in Kentucky.

Saturday, Sept. 22, 2007

7:30 a.m.: Continental breakfast served at the hotel

9:00 a.m.: Board bus and leave for Stones River Battlefield

12:00 p.m.: Picnic lunch on the battlefield

5:00 p.m.: Stop at the Park Visitor's Center and gift shop. Enjoy a reception followed by a production of Hallowed Ground.

6:30 p.m.: Hallowed Ground: A Lantern Tour of Stones River National Cemetery

An hour-long walk back in time through the Stones River National Cemetery, Hallowed Ground is a program dedicated to allowing visitors to appreciate the cost of war through the stories of soldiers, and their loved ones, who are buried in Stones River National Cemetery. Lewis will lead the group through the cemetery and stop at several gravesites where volunteers portraying soldiers and civilians will share stories taken from the letters and diaries of the period.

7:30 p.m.: Return to the hotel.

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Future Civil War Field Institutes     |     Printable Registration Form

The Filson Historical Society
1310 South Third Street - Louisville, KY 40208
Phone: (502) 635-5083 Fax: (502) 635-5086

Hours
The Ferguson Mansion and Office
Monday - Friday: 9 am. - 5 pm.
Saturday and Sunday closed
Library
Monday - Friday: 9 am. - 5 pm.
Saturday: 9 am. - 12 noon

The Filson Historical Society Brings you The Filson Civil War Field Institute.		About Memberships Calendar Library Manuscripts Museum Art Exhibit Publications Bookstore Newsmagazine Fellowships Institute Education Contact Us Home
The purpose of this institute is to explore the complex history of Civil War era Kentucky and the Ohio Valley region through a series of field trips and lectures that allow participants to follow the footsteps of the armies and stand on the grounds where they fought. These tours familiarize the public with the campaigns and battles of the Western Theater of the Civil War. The primary focus of the Institute is to discuss the strategic importance of these battles in relation to Kentucky and the personalities from Kentucky who fought on both sides. Situated on the borderland dividing North and South, slave and free territory, the Ohio Valley region became as bitterly divided as any in the nation during the Civil War. Characterized by divided loyalties and lingering postwar bitterness, politics and society in the region continued to be influenced by the war for the remainder of the century. The coming bicentennials of the births of Jefferson Davis (1808) and Abraham Lincoln (1809), and the 150th anniversary commemoration of the Civil War (2011 to 2015) present an excellent opportunity to revisit this critical period in our national experience from an Ohio Valley perspective. The Battle of Stones River Join the Filson Civil War Field Institute for a never-to-be-forgotten two days in Murfreesboro, TN. The fierce battle at Stones River took place between Dec. 31, 1862 and Jan. 2, 1863. More than 83,000 soldiers fought in the battle which, though considered a tactical draw, proved a major boost to Union morale. General Braxton Bragg’s Confederate forces withdrew after the battle, allowing General Rosecrans and the Union to control middle Tennessee. When the smoke cleared after three days of fighting, there were more than 24,000 casualties, making this one of the bloodiest battles fought west of the Appalachians. The battle produced important military and political gains for the Union, and it changed forever the people who lived and fought there. The battlefield which includes Stones River National Cemetery was established in 1865, with no more than 6,000 Union graves; and the Hazen Brigade Monument, believed to be the oldest, intact Civil War monument still standing in its original location. Portions of Fortress Rosecrans, a large earthen fort constructed after the battles still stand and are preserved and interpreted by the National Park Service. The Filson Historical Society Since its founding in 1884, The Filson Historical Society has preserved the collective memory of Kentucky, the Ohio Valley and the Upper South. The Filson continues to collect and tell the significant stories of the region. An independent historical society located in Louisville, Ky., The Filson serves the public through its extensive research collections and numerous educational opportunities. The Filson is headquartered in the Ferguson Mansion, which houses a library, a museum, and a special collections department. The Society has the finest collection of Civil War manuscripts in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
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September 21 - 22, 2007 "The Battle of Stones River" We will meet up Friday evening for dinner and a keynote lecture by historian James Lee McDonough. McDonough is a retired professor of history from Auburn University. He is the author of numerous books on the Civil War, including Shiloh--In Hell Before Night; War in Kentucky: From Shiloh to Perryville; Chattanooga--Death Grip on the Confederacy, and Stones River--Bloody Winter in Tennessee. He is also the co-author (with James Pickett Jones) of War So Terrible: Sherman and Atlanta and (with Thomas L. Connelly) of Five Tragic Hours: The Battle of Franklin. The bus will depart at 9:00 a.m. Saturday morning for a day touring the Stones River Battlefield Park, led by Jim Lewis, a ranger at the park. Lewis has been a Park Ranger with the National Park Service since 1991. Since 1997 he has been a fixture at Stones River National Battlefield, serving as a ranger, curator and de facto historian. Lewis has researched and presented dozens of interpretive programs at Stones River National Battlefield and across the country on a variety of Civil War topics. He has also written many interpretive publications for the National Park Service and played a large role in planning and researching the material in the new Stones River National Battlefield museum. He serves on the advisory board of the Tennessee Civil War Preservation Trust. Cost: $195 for Filson members $245 for non-members Cost includes Friday reception and dinner, keynote speaker, Saturday lunch and reception, Hallowed ground performance, and bus transportation, in addition to refreshments during the day tour. A non-refundable deposit of $50 per person is required at the time of registration. Balance is due to The Filson by August 31, 2007. Accommodations: Comfort Suites, 226 North Thompson Lane Murfreesboro, TN 37129 Phone: 615-869-0950 Rate: $89.99+14.75% tax. Ask for The Filson Historical Society room block. For more information about the hotel, click here. Institute participants are responsible for making their own accommodation arrangements. Accommodations are not included in the price of the Institute. If other accommodations are preferred, check: http://www.rutherfordchamber.org Friday, Sept. 21, 2007 5:30 p.m.: Reception at the Comfort Inn & Suites. Pick up your itinerary and packet and meet other Institute participants. 7:00 p.m.: Buffet dinner at the hotel, catered by Caroline's Creations, one of Murfreesboro's hometown favorites. 8:00 p.m.: James Lee McDonough, keynote speaker and author of “Stones River- Bloody Winter in Tennessee” presents a lecture on the Battle of Stones River and the preceding campaign in Kentucky. Saturday, Sept. 22, 2007 7:30 a.m.: Continental breakfast served at the hotel 9:00 a.m.: Board bus and leave for Stones River Battlefield 12:00 p.m.: Picnic lunch on the battlefield 5:00 p.m.: Stop at the Park Visitor's Center and gift shop. Enjoy a reception followed by a production of Hallowed Ground. 6:30 p.m.: Hallowed Ground: A Lantern Tour of Stones River National Cemetery An hour-long walk back in time through the Stones River National Cemetery, Hallowed Ground is a program dedicated to allowing visitors to appreciate the cost of war through the stories of soldiers, and their loved ones, who are buried in Stones River National Cemetery. Lewis will lead the group through the cemetery and stop at several gravesites where volunteers portraying soldiers and civilians will share stories taken from the letters and diaries of the period. 7:30 p.m.: Return to the hotel.
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Future Civil War Field Institutes \| Printable Registration Form
The Filson Historical Society 1310 South Third Street - Louisville, KY 40208 Phone: (502) 635-5083 Fax: (502) 635-5086 Hours The Ferguson Mansion and Office Monday - Friday: 9 am. - 5 pm. Saturday and Sunday closed Library Monday - Friday: 9 am. - 5 pm. Saturday: 9 am. - 12 noon