Winter Lightning by Matt Spruill

Winter Lightning

A Guide to the Battle of Stones River

Matt Spruill, Lee Spruill

University of Tennessee Press · Print & ebook · February 25, 2022

From December 31, 1862, to January 2, 1863, one of the Civil War's bloodiest battles raged as more than 42,000 Union troops led by General William S. Rosecrans met 37,000 Confederates under General Braxton Bragg near the small town of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

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Who it’s for
Follow the Stones River battle across the battlefield through mapped stops and primary sources.
Themes
American Civil War, Stones River battle history
Genres
Civil War Era, Civil Wars, Military Travel

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About this book

From December 31, 1862, to January 2, 1863, one of the Civil War's bloodiest battles raged as more than 42,000 Union troops led by General William S. Rosecrans met 37,000 Confederates under General Braxton Bragg near the small town of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. The Battle of Stones River, which the Union declared as a victory, significantly boosted Union morale in the Western Theater.

Continue reading

Stones River has received scant attention in comparison to other battles, such as Gettysburg, Shiloh, and Vicksburg, especially in the publication of tour guidebooks. Winter Lightening is the only battlefield guide to Stones River available in print. Designed as a step-by-step primer for visitors to the Stones River National Battlefield, it offers a comprehensive, “you are there” overview of the important events that took place during the battle. Winter Lightening follows a sequential series of twenty-one “stops” to guide the visitor through the battlefield over the exact routes used by both armies, offering informative details on what happened at key points along the way. The guide divides the battle into three segments: the west flank, the center, and the east flank. This approach allows visitors to follow the battle in its entirety or in any order they wish. Detailed maps and extensive primary material including commentary by commanders, letters, and other fascinating sources further enrich the visitor's experience. Matt Spruill is a retired U.S. Army colonel and formerly a Gettysburg Licensed Battlefield Guide. He is the author of Guide to the Battle of Chickamauga, Storming the Heights and Echoes of Thunder. Lee Spruill, a paramedic and fireman, is a major in the U.S. Army Reserve and has just returned from a tour of duty in Afghanistan.

Stones River Stops

Follow the Stones River battle across the battlefield through mapped stops and primary sources.

Come here for

  • A sequential route through the west flank, center, and east flank
  • Detailed maps and commanders’ commentary, letters, and other primary material

Expect

  • Twenty-one stops along routes used by both armies
  • A guide divided into three battle segments

Where it sits

Civil War Era71%
Military Travel37%
Civil Wars28%

Percentages are BookFrontier’s reading of the book.

Publisher categories

  • Civil War Era
  • Southern U.S. History
  • East South Central Travel (AL, KY, MS, TN)
Authors
Matt Spruill, Lee Spruill
Publisher
University of Tennessee Press
Published
February 25, 2022
Format
Print & ebook
Theme
American Civil War · Stones River battle history
Reading lane
Civil War Era